Scholarship

The importance of engaging young foresters in the sector, quality woodland and forest management, and the use of the best quality planting stock has been recognised through the Patsy Wood Scholarship. This scholarship is a collaboration involving funding from the Patsy Wood Trust and working with various partners such as the Royal Forestry Society, the National Trust and English Woodlands Forestry.

The Scholarship was launched in 2019 to provide a key career stepping stone for new entrants into the forestry sector and the first position was awarded to Jonas Brandl, a graduate of Bangor Universities MSc in Agroforestry  working with Timber Strategy and now the founder of ‘Timber Research’

The second was awarded to James Cryer in 2020 working with Independent Forestry Consultant William Hamer. James Cryer who went onto work for the UK’s leading forestry company Tilhill Forestry.

The Patsy Wood Scholarship opened again in 2021 offering a university graduate the chance to secure their first paid forestry employment for two years working with William Hamer Forestry and an excellent first step to a successful forestry career. This was awarded to Peter Borrowman graduate from Lancaster University who now works for English Woodlands Forestry as an Assistant Forest Manager.

In 2023, Ruaridh Phillips joined Future Trees Trust as the Patsy Wood Scholar helping the Trust carry out field work, followed by work with the National Trust to work on the Buscot and Coleshill Estate.

This year, Future Trees Trust, the National Trust and English Woodlands Forestry selected the New Patsy Wood Scholar Sam Carroll. Sam joined in September 2024.