About
The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) is the largest and longest established education charity promoting the wise management of woods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Our mission is to inspire passion and excellence in woodland management. We do this through education and knowledge-sharing, which have been at the heart of the RFS ethos since its foundation in 1882.
This is our vision: that all woodlands are actively managed, and valued by all, for their social, economic and environmental benefits.
Our work spans:
- Sharing learning and best-practice through publications, woodland meetings and online resources
- Education for children and young people through our Teaching Trees programme;
- Developing and recognising talent and skills including bursaries, studentships, training and awards
- Raising awareness of issues affecting woodlands to government and media;
- Owning and managing three demonstration woods.
The RFS has a diverse membership of 3,500+ members including woodland owners, professional foresters, arborists, countryside professionals, ecologists, lecturers, students and people with an active interest in learning about the care of woods and trees. Everybody is welcome.
A short history of the RFS can be found here. Our patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
The RFS Memorandum and Articles of Association can be downloaded here.
The work of the RFS is funded through donations, grants, legacies and corporate sponsorship, together with membership subscriptions.
We are a Registered Charity (No. 306093) and also a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England & Wales (No. 5306975). Our VAT registration number is 697 9058 62.
