A NEW Scottish Junior Forester Award has been launched, with the aim of growing forestry professionals for the future.

For four to 14-year-olds, the Award will equip young people with theory and practical skills so they can help manage woodlands in their schools or communities, offering an insight into a career in forestry.

Scottish Forestry has worked in partnership with the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) to develop the award.

Forestry Journal:

Chief forester for Scotland, Dr Helen McKay, joined primary school pupils from Royal Douglas Memorial (RDM) Primary School, Perth and Kinross, to launch the Award on Friday. 

She said: “This is such a positive and exciting move to get our young people connected with forestry.

“It’s so important that we increase the knowledge of trees and woodlands in the younger generation.

“We are facing a global climate emergency and trees can be part of the solution. If we get this message across to people at an early age, and build up their knowledge and understanding, we can build the foresters for the future.

“I’m very pleased that this new Award provides a mechanism to bring forestry into the curriculum and will give young people a taster of how fantastic forestry really is. It’s a worthwhile career with great long-term prospects.

READ MORE: Mammoth and Scorpion Giant: Ponsse unveils new 25-tonne forwarder and 'versatile' harvester

“We are keen to attract more young people into the sector to play their part in creating and managing Scotland’s forests, woods and trees.”

The Scottish Junior Forester Award is aimed at anyone in school, youth work or community settings in Scotland. It can be delivered by teachers, educators, and community organisations.

Participants in the Award complete six sections with practical tasks which will enhance their knowledge of trees, woodlands and forestry.

Sections include:

  • Managing Risk
  • Tree and Plant ID
  • Woodland Habitats
  • Habitat Creation
  • Woodland Management
  • Forestry Ambassadors

Alison Wilson, outdoor learning teacher at RDM, said: “The Award has given our pupils opportunities to gain practical skills working in the school woodland area, using different tools and learning how to do so safely."