Community Woodland of the Year Award
The purpose of this Award is to encourage and reward woodland projects that benefit communities. Specifically, we are looking for woodland which has been established and managed in a way which is sustainable and beneficial to the landscape, the local people, biodiversity and the economy in both the short and long term.
In 2026, the Awards will be for entrants from London and Southeast England, defined as the counties covered by the RFS Divisions: Home Counties, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, London, South Eastern, and Southern.
Entries are invited from woods or groups of woods under the same management. Organisations can enter themselves or they can be nominated by external parties.
- Woods can be located in a rural or urban setting. In addition, distinct urban treescapes for example including public parks, gardens, arboreta, and street trees, are eligible.
- There is no minimum area. Expansive areas of woodland should be entered as a whole, and the overall objectives of management stated on the entry form. Where the area entered exceeds 200 hectares, a representative single block or coherent unit of woodland, up to a maximum of 200 hectares should be entered for judging.
First Prize: A trophy and £500 cash prize
Second Prize: A certificate and £250 cash prize.
For further information please see our Rules & Guidelines and Entry Form.
Winners will be announced at the EIF Awards Ceremony on 15 October 2026 to be held at Sheepdrove Organic Farm.
Huge thanks to our sponsor Woodland Trust.
