BANGOR University has taken out a 10-year corporate membership of Woodland Heritage, funded by its forestry students.

The charity is a longstanding supporter of the university, providing financial assistance and advice to many forestry students, alumni and staff, as well as over £800,000 of funding for a string of important research projects focused on acute oak decline and based at the university.

Seeking to preserve this relationship for the future, James Walmsley, Woodland Heritage trustee and forestry lecturer at Bangor University, proposed the university took out a 10-year premium corporate membership.

READ MORE: FLS to re-green Central Scotland coal site

James approached the Bangor Forestry Students’ Association (BFSA) committee and put the idea to them, for whom Peter Roe, BFSA president 2019–2020, said: “BFSA recognises the support that Bangor University students and alumni have received from Woodland Heritage over many years, including Garthwaite bursaries, subsidised places on the excellent Woodland to Workshop course, financial support for attendees of the SelectFor Irregular Silviculture training, and more. In particular, it’s highly likely that the International Forestry Students’ Association’s most successful conference, NERM 2019, organised by BFSA, may not have happened without the charity’s incredible support and guidance.

“BFSA is delighted to be in a position to contribute £1,250 towards this 10-year membership. The committee all agree it’s an excellent investment in our wonderful relationship with Woodland Heritage.”

Ken McNamara, a part-time distance learning student on the MSc Forestry programme at Bangor University, had (in early 2020) made a donation to the university of several thousand pounds, to be used to support the forestry programmes. So, James approached Ken, proposing that part of his donation be used to fund the remaining £1,250 of the 10-year membership. Ken said: “I think the proposition represents fantastic value and a really effective way to use part of my donation. It will clearly generate benefits for many years to come for my fellow forestry students and for forestry at Bangor University in general.”

Forestry Journal remains dedicated to bringing you all the latest news and views from across our industry, plus up-to-date information on the impacts of COVID-19.

Please support us by subscribing to our print edition, delivered direct to your door, from as little at £75 for 1 year – or consider a digital subscription from just £1 for 3 months.

To arrange, follow this link: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/subscribe/

Thanks – and stay safe.