BSc Forestry – a degree that provides fantastic opportunities

Karen Batten, from Cornwall, studied at Bangor University from 2017 – 2021.  Her degree included a year-long professional placement in the Wyre Forest.  Karen excelled academically and received the Royal Forestry Society ‘Bangor Bursary’ for her outstanding final year forestry project.  The demand for high calibre graduates from the forestry programmes at Bangor University is incredibly high and it was no surprise that Karen started a graduate role with Fountains Forestry just days after receiving her award.   

Reflecting on just how much her life has changed since Karen completed her BSc Forestry degree, Karen said: “I was quite unaware of the opportunities in the forestry industry before beginning my studies at Bangor University. That was quickly changed by the fantastic course at Bangor, which not only covered the silviculture behind management, but also exposed students to career options for when they graduated, through fieldtrips, industry relevant modules and hosting guest lectures by industry professionals. This was complimented by work placements I undertook between study, which gave context to much of what we were learning at university. As a result of this combined experience, I was able to secure a job with Fountains Forestry UK Ltd. I found the advertisement through the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF); Bangor University supports students in their career progression by covering the cost of the first year of membership to all forestry students. I am grateful for the support from the university, as it has led me to work in the South of England, managing a mix of commercial conifer and broadleaf woodlands.  

...A year on, I now benefit from having experience in every aspect of the woodland management supply chain, from timber harvesting to sales and planting.  I’m also keen to work with Bangor University to help inspire other students to consider working for Fountains Forestry and the wider forestry profession.”   

Regional Manager for Fountains Forestry, David Adam, has nothing but praise for Karen’s achievements this last year:  “At the time of writing this, Karen has been with Fountains Forestry for exactly a year - where has that time gone?? Karen joined us as a graduate recruit and was thrown straight in at the deep end looking after approximately 1,000 hectares of woodland on a traditional estate in Central Southern England, supported by colleagues at Fountains Forestry and estate staff... 

Karen is organising all aspects of timber harvesting and marketing of produce (and) has also been leading on managing and administering a complex Countryside Stewardship grant on behalf of the client. 
In short, Karen has dealt with the challenges and variety of this role (like so many in forestry) with diligence and good humour. Fountains Forestry and the estate owners value her presence and input.” 
Commenting on her success, James Walmsley, Senior Lecturer in Forestry, said “I’m so pleased to learn how well Karen has settled into her new role at Fountains Forestry.  It’s also heartening that Fountains have supported and encouraged Karen so well and given her the freedom to develop her own planting trial.  There is so much ‘good news’ out there in terms of the amazing jobs that exist in the forestry profession: I hope this article inspires other employers and other recent graduates to follow this example and also share their stories in the public domain.” 

For more information about the Forestry degree programmes at Bangor University, please follow this link https://www.bangor.ac.uk/natural-sciences/subject-areas/forestry/courses.php or contact the School of Natural Sciences email:forestry@bangor.ac.uk telephone: +44 1248 382281 

For more information about Fountains Forestry, please follow this link https://www.fountainsforestry.co.uk/ or contact enquiries@fountainsforestry.co.uk