Forestry Roots 2024
Meet our fantastic new cohort of trainees here.
Bolaji Lemboye
Urban Forest Trainee, Trees For Cities
"I applied for the traineeship simply because I love trees, they’re beautiful and give us breathable air, and wanted to work with them in any capacity but lacked the experience needed to get the kind of jobs I wanted. To have this opportunity means that I can look forward to enjoying and caring about the work I do. I can gain the knowledge and first-hand experience without having to worry about how to fit in studying and working. I am very thankful to those who made this much needed opportunity available and I hope through this I can really make a difference with the skills I will learn throughout this traineeship."
Ben Throssell
Trainee Coppice Worker, Leeds Coppice Workers
"Having been volunteering in forestry over 3 years, I am elated to be starting my Forestry Roots Traineeship with Leeds Coppice Workers, bringing together my passion for conservation and traditional woodworking, and making my first step into the industry.
Forests can provide so much to us in terms of ecology, health and wellbeing, cultural heritage, and a sustainable wood supply - and coppicing is one of the best techniques for balancing these many offerings. With only 19% of our national coppice woodlands still in rotation, the role feels especially valuable, and I am grateful to The ALA Green Charitable Trust and the RFS for the opportunity to be working out in nature, restoring the very woodlands I grew up in."
Hugh Cresswell
Trainee Forestry Worker, Chatsworth House
"After deciding to make a career change into forestry at 29, and spending 18 months volunteering, I was struggling to find a way in to the industry without a relevant degree. In my previous career, I worked as a sound engineer and AV Technician. I enjoyed working with live music and meeting lots of interesting people - but when Covid hit I had a chance to consider a career that might better align with my values. Forestry is the perfect choice of a career path that combines my passion for nature, deep interest in trees, and desire to make a positive impact on the world.
Fortunately I found the RFS’ excellent careers advice service and successfully applied for the Forestry Roots programme with a traineeship at Chatsworth Estate.
Thanks to the very generous funders at ALA Green Charitable Trust, and the support of the RFS and Chatsworth Forestry Team, I now feel empowered to kickstart my career change!"
Hugo McDermott
Trainee Forestry Worker, Chatsworth House
"I decided to apply for Forestry Roots after completing my level 2 in Forestry and Arboriculture at Plumpton. This scheme gives me a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in Forestry in a very supported environment. I would like to say a special thank you to the funders of this scheme - it is absolutely brilliant to be able to learn on the job in real life and not just a classroom. I am so looking forward to what I can achieve and learn this year and feel very lucky to have such a great start to my forestry career."
Rachel Rattray
Forestry Roots Trainee, Sherwood Forest Trust
"Coming from a horticultural background, Forestry Roots has been an amazing opportunity to develop my skills and training within the conservation field. I love working with the Sherwood Forest trust on public engagement, working with volunteers at the tree nursery or in the heathland. With dreams of becoming a ranger in the New Forest, I look forward to getting my chainsaw licence and being involved in the woods where I grew up! I'd like to say a massive thank you to the ALA Green Charitable Trust for making this all possible and the wonderful careers team at the RFS who have made the process seamless."
Ed Caush
Forestry Trainee, Hill Holt Wood
"I enrolled on the Forestry Roots scheme for the chance of learning through experience rather than academia. Being at the top of the age bracket for this scheme, having to drop work hours to attend college on a related course wasn't a realistic option for me. This opportunity presents the perfect opportunity to earn and learn in a professional environment. In my new role as a Trainee Forestry Ranger at Hill Holt Wood I have been provided with an abundance of knowledge and support from the team and under their excellent tutelage, I am confident I will gain all the necessary skills and practical experience to jump start my career in forestry and I’m so grateful that this has been made possible by the generous funding from The ALA Green Charitable Trust."
Rohan Holmes
Forestry Trainee, Hill Holt Wood
"I applied for the RFS Forestry Roots traineeship, because I wanted to get into the industry and gain experience and knowledge and using my own skills, experience, knowledge and being able to get tickets is something that is essential and important to me.
Having this opportunity is life changing and gets me into the industry and learning, experiencing and developing myself as a person and a worker, I would like to thank The ALA Green Charitable Trust for this lifechanging opportunity."
Sam Peace
Trainee Forester, Burghley House
"I am incredibly fortunate and grateful to be in this year's cohort of Forestry Roots individuals! Throughout my life, I've been interested in the great outdoors, what it offers us, and what we can do to protect it. It has always been my aspiration to work in an environmental setting, but I have struggled to enter the environmental sector due to a lack of professional qualifications. But thanks to the generosity of the funders for the scheme, I have finally found my route into forestry! I will be joining the Burghley forestry team, I am excited to learn from industry experts and join such a well-regarded estate."
Charlotte Moss
Assistant Forester, Englefield Estate
"I applied to Forestry Roots because of my passion for sustainable woodland management. After completing several qualifications, I was eager to gain hands-on experience in forestry, and the Tree Roots traineeship presented the ideal opportunity to do so. I’m excited to get stuck in, work hard, and learn a great deal from the experienced team at Englefield Estate. I’m also incredibly grateful to The ALA Green Charitable Trust for their generous support, which has made this opportunity possible."
Assistant Woodland Manager
Moreton Wood
"I’m grateful to be given this traineeship to learn about woodland management from a business owner here in Herefordshire. I’m a qualified arborist, but was struggling to progress my career. The opportunity with Jo and Paul will deepen my understanding of the industry, and I’m excited to have a lot more knowledge by the end of the year."
