Students of the Year 2026
Congratulations to this year's Students of the Year. The awards showcase the breadth of new talent entering the sector from across England and Wales.
The RFS are proud to champion the foresters of the future, and the Student of the Year Awards are another way that we recognise the talent and passion that young people can bring to the sector.
We want all people within the industry to feel supported by the work that we do and by recognising these outstanding young people and the effort they have made in their studies we hope that they will recognise the RFS as a supportive and welcoming organisation that they can be involved with, learn from and utilise in their career progression. We love to help and see them grow!
Alison Dinnie, RFS Careers Advisor
Bangor University
Ethan Angel, BSc Forestry
Ethan consistently demonstrates outstanding enthusiasm for forestry and makes a particularly valuable contribution to the classroom environment through his inclusive approach to group discussions. He is attentive to others and actively encourages quieter and less confident students to share their perspectives, helping to create a supportive and collaborative learning atmosphere for all. In addition, Ethan has made a significant impact through his role as a Forestry Peer Guide. In this capacity, he has played a critical role in supporting new first-year Forestry and Woodland Management students as they settle into university life and their programme of study. Both students and staff have greatly appreciated his approachability, kindness and willingness to give his time. Ethan is an excellent ambassador for the forestry discipline and fully deserving of recognition through this award.
Nominated by Dr Ashley Hardaker, Lecturer in Land Management Planning and Economics, Bangor University
Hill Holt Wood
Lewis Turner
Lewis has been with Hill Holt Wood now for nearly two academic years, and in that time has proven himself to be a reliable and hard-working individual. His attendance is almost perfect and his attitude is positive. He has made great strides academically and clearly shows great promise combined with an aptitude for learning and developing himself further. With an insatiable appetite for humour and attention to detail, it is my firm belief that Lewis will certainly go on to great things and prove to be a credit not only to Hill Holt Wood but to himself as well.
Alex Dunkley
Alex is attentive and hard-working. He has come a long way in such a short space of time. His attendance is excellent and his passion and interest in Horticulture/forestry really does know no bounds. He is always the first to help in any activities that are set and is enthusiastic in his attitude and his desire to carry on working within Horticulture/forestry as a career in the future. I sincerely believe that Alex is fully deserving of the award, as I know that he will most certainly make good use of it moving forward
Nominated by Steve Donagain, CEO, Hill Holt Wood
University of Cumbria
Maran Finn, BSc Woodland Ecology and Conservation
Maran has been an engaged and proactive student who has flourished during her time at the University of Cumbria. Maran has produced outstanding work across a diverse variety of subjects throughout her degree programme, including exceptional assessments in Forest Plan, Forest Policy, Research Methods, and Climate Smart Forestry modules.
Maran has taken full advantage of the opportunities offered as a National School of Forestry student, enjoying a year-long sandwich placement as a Technical Assistant with the Arboricultural Association, as well as making an earlier short placement with Westonbirt Arboretum and engaging in research into the ecology of understorey plants facing climate change in the Polish Tatra Mountains.
Maran wrote a fascinating dissertation involving a detailed comparison of the factors that lead to the development of tree microhabitats across different environments. This produced meaningful research that will be useful in guiding management practices across the sector.
Connal Rees, BSc Forest Management
Conall has obtained consistently exceptional marks throughout his degree. His Advanced Silviculture and Managing Forestry Operations particularly notable. He has been an exemplary student, working very well with his peers, being popular with his tutors and always looking to extend his learning to the full remit and beyond what is taught in his modules. He has developed a passion for understanding the controls on regeneration and nursery practice during his degree, and I expect him to continue research in this area on completion of his studies. He has engaged with projects in silviculture and plant health, and is already gaining a good reputation in the forestry sector for his proactive and energetic approach. Conall’s dissertation has allowed him to pursue his interests in improving the quality of nursery stock. He compared the performance of bareroot and container-grown sycamore seedlings. I am happy to recommend Conall as RFS Student of the Year in Forest Management.
University of Birmingham
Lixuan Zhu
Lixuan is an Environmental Science Student at the University of Birmingham. As part of her studies, she has completed a dissertation investigating how prolonged atmospheric CO₂ enrichment affects stoichiometric flexibility and nutrient cycling in temperate forest soils. Her research has involved over 1000 analyses of samples from the Free Air Carbon Enrichment (FACE) experiment, which takes place in a woodland in Staffordshire. Alongside her research, she has also been a valued member of the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) volunteer network. Over the course of three years, she has supported a wide range of activities, including lab work, education, engagement and outreach, achieving the Gold Award for volunteering.
Herefordshire College
Sam Law
Sam Law is recognised for his outstanding commitment, perseverance and growth as an arboriculture student. Sam has shown exceptional determination throughout his studies and has consistently worked hard to develop both his academic understanding and practical skills within the industry.
Although Sam has faced challenges, he has never allowed these difficulties to limit his progress. Instead, he has approached every task with resilience, dedication and a willingness to improve. Through hard work and persistence, he has steadily built his confidence and capability, demonstrating genuine passion for arboriculture.
In addition to his academic efforts, Sam has earned significant praise from his employer, who speaks highly of his attitude, reliability, and professionalism in the workplace. He is recognised as a hardworking and enthusiastic individual who is eager to learn, works well as part of a team, and applies himself fully to every opportunity presented to him.
Sam is an excellent example of determination and personal development, and he fully deserves recognition from the Royal Forestry Society for his achievements and dedication to the profession
Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor Glynllifon
Lewis Anwyl Hughes & Leo Carre
Lewis has been nominated for this award as he has shown admirable commitment throughout the year. Lewis’ skills and knowledge have developed considerably since the start of the course. During Lewis’ work experience placement with the National Trust, his provider said that Lewis has been the best student that they have ever taken for work experience. Lewis is aiming to work in the industry as a tree surgeon.
Leo was recognised for his excellent attendance throughout the two-year course and his exceptional effort, giving 100% at all times.
Royal Agricultural University
Tom Haines
Tom has applied himself to the study of forestry and woodland management with a high level of engagement and participation. He has been attentive and engaged in both seminars and practical activities and has produced a very insightful portfolio of work and a well-researched woodland management plan. Tom is often quietly present, but his work and the contributions he makes are succinct and he demonstrates an interest in the subject area and opportunities presented by the forestry sector.
Sparsholt College
James Anderton, Technical Certificate in Arboriculture and Forestry.
James is a diligent learner who has put 110% into his written and practical work this year despite personal challenges. James completed his synoptic assessments to a high standard and achieved a Distinction in his theory exam.
Activate Learning
Tom Le Masurier
Tom has consistently applied himself in all academic areas, achieving Distinction grades in his assignments. He has tried his best to develop his practical skills, showing a good work ethic and determination to improve.
Exeter University (Penryn) Dissertation Prize awarded by RFS South Western Division
“Mapping the Temperate Rainforests of Cornwall” by Jacob Ribbens
Jacob’s dissertation focused on the recent mapping of the ‘rainforest zone’ in Cornwall as well as the standards of accuracy. The dissertation proposes a new methodology detailing a full deciduous woodland layer as well as indicator species, which could be significantly more accurate. Whilst recognising limitations it suggests a great start for further future research.
