Esmond Harris Award

Now more than ever, we need solutions to managing our woods in the best way possible to help ensure they thrive for generations to come. That’s why we set up the Esmond Harris Award for Innovation in Small Woodland Management, in 2022, to unearth the creative and unique methods and tools that are working well in woodlands across the UK.

We want to hear about imaginative problem solving, inventive means of dealing with pests and diseases, and the use of the latest technology for monitoring woodlands. Anything that has made a significant difference to how you manage your woods is eligible. So, if you have an innovative solution or technique that is making a big impact on managing your woodland, put your name forward for this award by entering this year's competition here. You can also nominate someone else for this award if you think they are achieving remarkable success in their woodland management through innovative means.

The aim of the award is to showcase best practice and ingenious problem-solving in our sector. Now in its third year, the annual competition aims to discover creative solutions to woodland challenges, clever hacks that streamline tasks, proven strategies to enhance biodiversity, and technology that revolutionises the jobs involved in caring for our woodlands.

The winner of the inaugural award, in 2022, was Hugh Dorrington, from Lincolnshire, who won for effectively producing high-quality timber while prioritising biodiversity, despite ash dieback and grey squirrel issues. Last year's award was made posthumously to Andrew Cartwright for his long-term dedication to establishing a sustainable Welsh woodland supporting biodiversity at Coed Gwinllan Tyddyn, in Gwynedd, North Wales. 

Our award is named after Esmond Harris (pictured), a long-standing Small Woods member, author and retired director of the Royal Forestry Society. Esmond will also be on the judging panel with Simon James, and the 2024 award winner will be announced at our AGM on September 28. 

Entering is simple. Just fill out this easy online form. If you would like to share your innovative success or nominate someone else for their contributions to small woodland management, please complete the form by September 1. And even if you have entered before but have not been previously successful, don’t hesitate to try again.

Esmond Harris at Staverton Park