The Goodhart Bursary

Freddie Hemmingway

Goodhart Bursary Recipient 2025

"As someone 6 months into their forestry career as an Assistant Forest Manager with English Woodlands Forestry, opportunities to learn from experienced foresters and grow my network are invaluable.

The RFS Annual Study tour is the best opportunity of its kind, bringing together professionals from across the UK to visit a range of brilliant sites and discuss a great selection of topics. The insights gained from both the visits and other members will no doubt shape my career for years to come.

I’m honoured to have received one of the Goodhart Bursaries, as it will allow me to not only access the study tour but also attend the Annual Dinner which will be a fantastic way to build relationships with fellow members of the RFS."

Harvey Blowfield

Goodhart Bursary Recipient 2025

"I am deeply grateful for the bursary that has made it possible for me to attend the RFS Annual Study Tour in South Wales. As someone who has previously participated in RFS events, I am particularly excited about this opportunity to engage with a diverse network of professionals working in the forestry sector.

A highlight of the tour that I'm especially looking forward to is exploring how Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is implementing Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS) in Wentwood. This tour will provide invaluable insights into innovative forest management techniques.

Without the support of this bursary, attending such a significant event would have been a struggle for me. The chance to learn, network, and gain first-hand experience in various forestry practices is highly valuable."

Karen Batten

Goodhart Bursary Recipient 2025

"I applied for The Goodhart Bursary after hearing about it from last year’s recipients. They enthused about the knowledge they gained from the site visits, and it seemed an opportunity I couldn’t let pass me by.

I’m so grateful to have been awarded the bursary, which has enabled me to attend the whole study tour, and I’m excited to immerse myself in woodland walks and insightful discussions with other members of the RFS."

Harriet Jenkins

Goodhart Bursary Recipient 2025

"I am very grateful to the RFS to be a recipient of the Goodhart Bursary, enabling me to attend the 2025 Study Tour taking place in South Wales. The support that this bursary offers means that it is financially viable for me to attend this event."

Having the opportunity to visit multiple woodlands and discuss their management with professionals will play a very important role in expanding my knowledge of how silvicultural techniques and forest operations differ depending on the woodland context; it's opportunities, constraints and objectives.

The RFS Forestry Roots programme began my career change into forestry in 2023, so as a new entrant into the industry I am aware that events such as the study tour will help me tremendously to build confidence through knowledge exchange. I very much look forward to visiting woodlands that differ from my usual working environment and engaging with other RFS members as well as the site hosts who have an array of expertise to share and learn from."

Karle Collins

Goodhart Bursary Recipient 2025

"The study tour is an opportunity to see and learn about a wide variety of forestry projects and to meet some interesting people to network with.

I applied for the bursary because it would otherwise be unaffordable for me to attend such an event."

Benjamin Turner

Goodhart Bursary Recipient 2025

"As a Forestry Operative I undertake a variety of silvicultural prescriptions set out by forest managers, such as weeding, planting, and respacing. I came into this job having recently completed a level three diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture, at Coleg Cambria LLysfasi, an agricultural college in North Wales. Most of my work takes places in uniform conifer plantations.

I hope that by taking part in the study tour I will be able to see how more complex woodlands are managed in South Wales and meet some of the Foresters who manage the places where I work. The tour would give a good of opportunity to understand processes involved in managing the forests in South Wales. I am grateful to the RFS for funding my participation in the Annual Study Tour through the Goodhart bursary."