Collaboration in forestry sector creates opportunity

The new Patsy Wood Scholar is Peter Borrowman, who will be working with independent forestry consultant William Hamer mainly in Hampshire and Berkshire. Mr Borrowman will be undertaking a range of forestry activities to provide him with a broad experience on which to build his forestry career.

The post also comes with specialist CPD training with the RFS and through Future Trees Trust, particularly looking at the critical role of forest genetic resources in tree improvement, sound seed sourcing and planning future plant selections to deliver resilient plantations.

“This post provides a unique opportunity to start a career in the forestry sector and I am fortunate to be working under an experienced professional in William,” said Mr Borrowman. “My first few weeks have been a whirlwind, learning about all aspects of life as a modern forest manager including timber marking, management plans, mapping and the wood fuel business to name a few.

“Additionally, I am looking forward to learning from Dr Jo Clark at The Future Trees Trust, acquiring knowledge of forest genetic resources – an application of forestry that I feel will become increasingly important as foresters are presented with novel management challenges that require productive and resilient planting stock.

“Future Trees Trust is delighted to be able to continue supporting this role, using the generous funding we received from the Patsy Wood Trust,” said Jo Clark, head of research at Future Trees Trust. “Our last scholar, James Cryer who was also placed with William had a tremendous year, and has gone on to work with Tilhill in Scotland to broaden his forestry knowledge.

“It’s really important to us that young foresters are encouraged and helped early in their careers to understand the importance of tree improvement as well as all the other aspects of forest management and silviculture.”   

“The RFS is very proud to be part of this excellent, and much-needed scholarship programme, which helps foresters at the start of their careers,” said Christopher Williams, CEO of the RFS.

“I am delighted to welcome Peter as the second Patsy Wood Scholar to work with me,” said William Hamer. “As a geography graduate, he has a lot of forestry knowledge to catch up on but the scholarship gives an ideal platform for him to expand his forestry knowledge through the many available training courses and he is already picking up skills and working with me on silvicultural systems, management plans, marking thinnings and working with harvesting contractors.

“I am confident that his enthusiasm will make him a valuable member of my team.  There is tremendous scope for good forest managers to improve the care of our woodlands in this part of England and it is satisfying to be launching another graduate on their forestry career and helping them acquire the skills and knowledge they need to carry forward this important work”.