Media and Communications

Who am I?

Dr Freia Bladon, Co-Editor, RFS Quarterly Journal of Forestry and Consultant Forester.

At school I was not aware of forestry or arboriculture as a career choice, and I went off to university to study Biology at Imperial College, London. After graduating I stayed on to work in London, but realising that I wanted to get back to the countryside and work specifically with trees and woodlands, I enrolled on a Masters in Forest Protection and Conservation – that was a defining year for me career-wise. This led to a PhD in Forest Entomology with Forest Research, and an enduring passion for forest science.

What do I do?

As an Editor I work with a range of contributors – researchers, practitioners, students etc. – to communicate up to date information to members of the Royal Forestry Society via the Quarterly Journal of Forestry. I love the uniqueness of the journal – it occupies a special place between science and practice, and aims to share the latest research, knowledge and experience with readers.

What do I love about the job?

I love being able to stay up to date with the latest science, practice and policy, and to share this with readers of the journal. Before my current role I was a Lecturer in Forestry and Arboriculture for seven years, which I also really enjoyed for similar reasons, in this case in an educational context. As an Editor, it is especially nice when readers contact me to share their appreciation of a particular article or of the journal in general – great positive motivation. From a personal perspective, as a mother of three young children, it has been heartening and inspiring to work in an industry that I have found to be incredibly supportive of women in the workplace.

How is my job helping to tackle the climate crisis?

We know that trees, woodlands and forests have a huge role in mitigating the climate crisis. My hope is that by striving to produce a high-quality publication that addresses important, up-to-date topics like resilience, pests and diseases, forest carbon etc., the journal will serve as a useful resource for readers and ultimately aid in the creation and sustainable management of the forests that we need to help address the climate crisis. If we are going to achieve what is required, we also need to expand the workforce in the sector and I am proud to work for an organisation that is helping to encourage more young people to consider a career in forestry and arboriculture.

Advice for anyone choosing a similar career?  

Don’t hold back, whatever your background or skills. Develop a strong and mutually supportive network of colleagues. Identify your strengths, and work with them. Give it your all, but get the balance of life right.