The Prince of Wales meets the recipients of the inaugrail Prince of Wales Forest Leadership Award
The Duke of Cornwall personally congratulated the recipients of the inaugural Prince of Wales Forest Leadership Award during a meeting at his official London residence, Clarence House, this week. The four young forestry graduates from the UK and Canada have been awarded a bursary and will take place on an international summer exchange programme to learn more about sustainable forest management through work placements in their respective partner countries. Keira Tedd and David Johnes from the University of Cumbria will travel to Canada whilst Ross Hobbs and Jacqueline Hamilton from the University of Alberta in Canada, have already been attending training sessions in the UK in preparation for their Summer internships.
The Award is run by the Duchy of Cornwall, the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) and the Canadian Institute of Forestry(CIF) with sponsorship from TD Bank Group. It recognises students and recent graduates in the UK and Canada with a dedication to sustainable forestry and the skills and aptitude to become future forest leaders. The international internship program that accompanies the award will send British participants to Canada for summer work placements in iconic coastal British Columbia, working with Strategic Natural Resource Consultants and in Algonquin Provincial Park with the Algonquin Forestry Authority. Both Canadian participants will intern in the west of England with the forestry consultants Pryor and Rickett Silviculture, while also spending time learning about the sustainable management of the Duchy of Cornwall’s woodlands.
Geraint Richards, the Duchy of Cornwall’s Head Forester said:“After many months in the planning I was thrilled to see the first Award recipients in the same room, meeting one another and, of course, meeting His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. I am sure that all four of these remarkable students will have a memorable summer on their respective placements and that the experiences they gain will be of invaluable benefit as they pursue their forestry careers.’
Dana Collins, Executive Director of the CIF-IFC added: “This is a truly special experience for budding forest professionals to meet with The Prince of Wales, a stalwart supporter and advocate for sustainable forestry globally. I look forward to following the progression of these future forestry leaders who will continue to lead the charge and play an instrumental role in supporting sustainable forestry on an international scale.”
Russell Horsey, Deputy Director of the ICF said:“The UK Forestry sector is thriving, but to keep pace with demand for graduates it is imperative that it nurtures young professionals and provides opportunities for them to learn from international colleagues. The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to be working with the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the Duchy of Cornwall on this special award, which will help to shape the winners’ future careers. The opportunity for them to share their passion and discuss their aspirations with HRH The Prince of Wales is a unique experience that these future forest leaders will remember for years to come.”
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