Peter Borrowman: Patsy Wood Scholar

Future Foresters Funding: Collaboration in the forestry sector creates opportunity for new graduate

The government’s targets for tree planting are ambitious.  The strategic importance of woodland and forest management, the use of the best quality planting stock and engaging young foresters in the sector are becoming ever more critical.

Tree improvement charity Future Trees Trust with funding from the Patsy Wood Trust and working with the Royal Forestry Society, are collaborating to deliver the Patsy Wood Scholarship. The Scholarship was launched in 2019 to provide a key career stepping stone for new entrants into the forestry sector.

Our new Patsy Wood Scholar is Peter Borrowman. He will be working with independent forestry consultant William Hamer mainly in Hampshire and Berkshire. Peter will be undertaking a range of forestry activities to provide him with a broad experience on which to build his forestry career.

The post comes with specialist CPD training with the RFS and through Future Trees Trust, particularly looking at the critical role of forest genetic resources in tree improvement, sound seed sourcing and planning future plant selections to deliver resilient plantations.

Peter says: “This post provides a unique opportunity to start a career in the forestry sector. I am fortunate to be working under an experienced professional in William. My first few weeks have been a whirlwind, learning about all aspects of life as a modern forest manager. This has included timber marking, management plans, mapping and the wood fuel business to name a few.

“Additionally, I am looking forward to learning from Dr Jo Clark at The Future Trees Trust, acquiring knowledge of forest genetic resources – an application of forestry that I feel will become increasingly important as foresters are presented with novel management challenges that require productive and resilient planting stock.”

Jo Clark, Head of Research at Future Trees Trust says: “Future Trees Trust is delighted to be able to continue supporting this role, using the generous funding we received from the Patsy Wood Trust. Our last scholar, James Cryer who was also placed with William had a tremendous year, and has gone on to work with Tilhill in Scotland to broaden his forestry knowledge.

“It’s really important to us that young foresters are encouraged and helped early in their careers to understand the importance of tree improvement as well as all the other aspects of forest management and silviculture.”

Christopher Williams, CEO of the RFS says: “The RFS is very proud to be part of this excellent, and much-needed scholarship programme, which helps foresters at the start of their careers.”

William Hamer says: “ I am delighted to welcome Peter as the second Patsy Wood Scholar to work with me.  As a Geography graduate, he has a lot of forestry knowledge to catch up on but the scholarship gives an ideal platform for him to expand his forestry knowledge through the many available training courses. He is is already picking up skills and working with me on silvicultural systems, management plans, marking thinnings and working with harvesting contractors.

“I am confident that his enthusiasm will make him a valuable member of my team.  There is tremendous scope for good forest managers to improve the care of our woodlands in this part of England and it is satisfying to be launching another graduate on their forestry career.”