Awards | Silviculture

John Boddy Award goes to Harewood Estate

Harewood House in Leeds is recognised as the best example of woodland management in Yorkshire.

By Joe Roberts · July 29, 2024

Harewood Estate, Leeds, was awarded the John Boddy Award at the 2024 Great Yorkshire Show for excellence in forestry design and practice in Yorkshire

In recent years Harewood Estate has revised its approach to managing this listed landscape, using well-considered use of funding support. A forestry team and outdoor learning officer have been established to support several woodland management ambitions, including economic, ecological (including ecosystem services) and social objectives.

The estate has engaged with a range of stakeholders, including more than 1000 school pupils who have received forest school educational experience over the last 2 years.  

The award was given to Harewood Estate owner and managing director, Ben Lascelles, Forestry Foreman, Jay O’Donoghue, and Outdoor Education Officer, John Gillian.

RFS John Boddy Award recipients
Pictured left to right are the recipients of the award: Jay O’Donoghue (Forestry Foreman), Ben Lascelles (Managing director), John Gillian (Outdoor Education Officer).

The John Boddy Award is organised and judged by the Royal Forestry Society, Forestry Commission, and Yorkshire Agricultural Society, and presented during a reception at the Great Yorkshire Show.

This prestigious prize is awarded to the best example of woodland management in Yorkshire. The winner receives the John Boddy trophy and a £400 cash prize provided by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Royal Forestry Society.