RFS joins Forests With Impact to drive social and environmental change
Forests With Impact is an industry-led, innovative social enterprise that is transforming the rehabilitation process by establishing commercial tree nurseries within prisons.
The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) is the latest member to join a growing network of expert national partners at Forests with Impact. This strategic collaboration strengthens a shared mission to build a greener, more inclusive future, supporting environmental restoration, sustainable workforce development, and a resilient UK forestry sector.
With over 140 years of leadership in woodland management, education, and training, the RFS brings a wealth of knowledge to the partnership. Its focus on promoting resilient woodlands, upskilling the future workforce, and increasing public understanding of managed forestry aligns closely with Forests With Impact’s purpose: growing trees and building futures.
Driving change together
Together, Forests With Impact and the RFS are already making a difference. At HMP Fosse Way, following a discovery session for the new programme site, RFS provided copies of their induction pack ‘The Wood and The Trees’ to prisoners keen to pursue careers in forestry and join the Forests With Impact programme. Funded by the Forestry Commission, these resources offer an accessible first step into green careers and have now been distributed to participants at HMP Haverigg and HMP Fosse Way.
Looking ahead, the partnership is exploring projects that will open doors to meaningful employment for prisoners and prison leavers. These projects will help ensure that there are more, skilled forestry workers for the future.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Forests with Impact on this important programme. Not only will this support prisoners back into employment, it will also help address the pressing skills shortage facing the forestry sector. It is inspiring to see what Forests with Impact have already achieved at HMP Haverigg, supporting prisoners and prison-leavers to build the skills they need for a rewarding career in forestry. We look forward to offering our knowledge and expertise to support the expansion of this ambitious programme.” – Christopher Williams, Royal Forestry Society Chief Executive.
About Forests With Impact
Forests With Impact is establishing commercial tree nurseries inside UK prisons, where rehabilitation meets climate action. Participants gain hands-on horticultural training to grow UK native trees to Plant Healthy standards, supporting biodiversity, national tree planting targets, and biosecurity, while creating pathways into long-term employment in forestry and land-based industries.
“We’re so excited to have the Royal Forestry Society join Forests With Impact. Their extensive expertise and shared passion for creating a lasting impact through forestry is going to be such a force for good as we expand our programme. This support strengthens our mission to grow trees and futures – leaving a legacy that really makes a difference to our communities and the planet” – Sarah MacGregor, Forests With Impact Director.
Forests With Impact and the Royal Forestry Society are united by a powerful vision: to restore the UK’s forests, tackle climate change, reverse biodiversity loss, ensure biosecurity and build a skilled, sustainable workforce – one carefully nurtured seedling at a time.
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