Royal Forestry Society honours woodland champion John Morris

John, who spent many years leading the Chiltern Woodlands Project, has decades of forestry experience and exceptional knowledge of the Chilterns’ woodlands. We are delighted to see his devotion and expertise recognised through this prestigious award.

Much of John’s impact can be seen across the Chilterns but is particularly highlighted through the improved management of small, neglected, or less economic woodlands. Over 46 years of dedication, John has ensured areas of Chiltern woods received the attention and management they deserve to retain their unique biodiversity and public value. John developed an interest in woodland archaeology and has become a leading expert on the Chilterns archaeological history.

The RFS owned woodland in the Chilterns, Hockeridge and Pancake Woods, has also benefitted from John’s expertise. He has overseen silvicultural operations within the woodland and managed a busy volunteer engagement schedule.

Divisional Chair, Nick Mottram FICFor CEnv, said: “As his professional career begins to close, we thank John for his commitment and breadth of knowledge across all his woodland projects”.

The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) was founded 145 years ago and has dedicated itself to sharing knowledge on the art and science of woodland management so that the accumulated wisdom and experience of landowners, foresters, arborists and others is transferred from one generation to another.

Photo: RFS CEO Christopher Williams, RFS Chair of Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Division Nick Mottram, John Morris & RFS President James Hamilton Stubber. Header image: Sian Ruston (https://bit.ly/4dXWNNq)