NDG James Memorial Lecture with Dr Eleanor Tew, Head of Forest Planning at Forestry England
Forest resilience: what does it mean in practice?
We are at a time of great change: environmentally, socially and economically. Amongst all this upheaval we must find ways to help our forests adapt, so that they can thrive in future conditions and meet the changing needs of society. Building forest resilience is not a new idea, but progress has been slow and time is running out.
This lecture will bring together science and practical insights to discuss the realities of building forest resilience. We will consider what forest resilience really means and the challenges of implementing these ideas. To demonstrate how these concepts can be translated into pragmatic action, we will explore Forestry England’s approach to forest resilience and examples of innovative practice.
Forest resilience is arguably the most pressing and fundamental issue for our sector. This lecture will build on this important conversation, as we move from discussion to action, and work together to ensure our forests are fit for the future.
Join us for our evening lecture at The Levine Building Auditorium, Trinity College, Oxford.
Ticket includes a drinks reception with canapés:
RFS members £22.50
Non-member £27.50
Students: £15.00
Please note: Card payments are processed via PayPal but you do not need a PayPal account to use it, check out as as a guest.
Dr Eleanor Tew
Head of Forest Planning at Forestry England
Eleanor is Head of Forest Planning for Forestry England. She has a research background, with a PhD from the University of Cambridge exploring natural capital optimisation in UK forestry. Upon moving to Forestry England, she initially developed and managed the Thetford Forest Resilience Programme before moving into the National Operations team. She now provides leadership and strategic oversight on forest planning, forest resilience and natural capital across the nation's forests.
Eleanor is a Chartered Forester, Trustee of the Sylva Foundation and an Academic Visitor to the Conservation Science Group at the University of Cambridge. She has published several articles in the QJF, including winning the James Cup for an article on forest resilience in 2022. Eleanor was also the lead author of the influential paper ‘A horizon scan of issues affecting UK forest management within 50 years’, published in Forestry in 2023.
N.D.G James OBE, MC, TD, FRICS, FICFor
1911-1993
Jimmy James, as he was known, was one of the best known names in British forestry during the latter part of the 20th Century. He was a student at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester before the Second World War, and then a partner with Walter P Evans, Chartered Land Agents, Coventry until the outbreak of war. After the War, he was appointed Bursar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 1946 and a Fellow in 1950. He was Land Agent for Oxford University from 1951 until 1961. During this period, he was also Estates Bursar and Agent of Brasenose College 1959-61, and a Fellow of the College from 1951 until 1961. In 1961, he was appointed Land Agent for Clinton Devon Estates, a post he held until his retirement in 1976.
He was President of The Chartered Land Agents’ Society (1957-58) and President of the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) (1962-64). As President of the RFS he set up the Society’s examinations in arboriculture which continue today. He was awarded no less than four gold medals for his two professions – as land agent and forester – including the RFS Gold Medal for distinguished services to forestry in 1967. He was awarded the OBE for services to forestry in 1964.
Jimmy James was widely known in forestry circles for his many forestry books. Best known are The Forester’s Companion (1955), The Arboriculturist’s Companion (1972) and A Book of Trees and A Forestry Centenary (1982). Two of his books are still in print: The Arboriculturist’s Companion (2nd edition 1990) and the Historical Dictionary of Forestry & Woodland Terms (1991).
In 2000, his sons Jimmy and Jeremy, made a generous donation to the RFS to establish the NDG James Memorial Fund to promote the educational work of the Society. This has enabled the Society to organise a number of forestry conferences including the Memorial Lectures hosted by the Society. We are very grateful for the generosity of the James family which makes this event possible.
