English Are you a young person who is not sure what work you want to do? Have you always wanted to work outdoors? Do you love trees, but had no idea that you could be paid to work with them?
If so, then the Landworkers’ Alliance (LWA)’s Forestry and Woodland tasters could be for you!
Who: Each taster session is capped at 12-15 people (18-28 years)
What: Four unique woodland sessions exploring working with trees
Where: Various working woodlands around Gloucestershire and Bristol
When: 2-3 June, 7-8 July, 25 October, 15 November 2023
Why: Because we love trees and we think you will too!
How: Rolling applications – please click here to apply for the next event. Deadline noon Wednesday 31st May 2023 See dates below for when the next application window is open.
If you struggle with forms or have any questions, please feel free to email Karina at karinavponton@gmail.com or call on 07895313435.
About these events
We are offering a mixture of four funded day or overnight camping sessions at various woodlands around Gloucestershire and Bristol to give 18-28 year olds the opportunity to explore forestry work and woodland management.
We have a limited number of spaces to offer to those who would benefit from this exciting opportunity. These sessions will be fully funded with tools, materials, lunch or dinner, refreshments, snacks and training provided. We also have a small bursary to contribute towards travel costs for those that need it.
No prior knowledge of forestry work is required. Maybe you’ve never been to the woods before, or have never considered a career in forestry – that’s okay! We are keen to hear from people with little experience or access to woodlands. You don’t need to know what you want to do in the future, but if you have a curiosity about work with trees and woodlands then we would love to hear from you!
There will be a rolling application process for these events, so applications will only be open for the next upcoming event. We will get back to all applicants one week after the applications close, to let you know if you have a place.
What will we be doing each day?
The four sessions have been designed around different themes of woodland and forestry work. There will be a mixture of wellbeing, theory and practical sessions including group work. These will mimic normal working days, so please be prepared to start at 9am and finish at 5pm. These will be co-created events and we ask you to be engaged with lift sharing and tasks on the day including cooking and clearing.
Ecology & management (Friday 2nd – Saturday 3nd June) – This day will cover tree and plant identification, foraging for food (to accompany our lunch) and medicines, woodland management planning and income streams including charcoal burning. In the evening, we will light the kiln, cook on the fire and eat together. Dawn chorus (optional). Application window 3-30 April.
Billet making and charcoal burn (Friday 7th – Saturday 8th July) – This day will cover billet making and charcoal burning with use of splitting axes, sledge hammers and splitting wedges. We will learn how to prepare and load the kiln and set it alight. Application window 3-31 May.
Coppicing, whittling and chipping (Wednesday 25th October) – This day will cover coppicing with use of bow saws, loppers and pruning saws and chainsaw demonstrations. We will learn to cut and lay hazel and make timber products, including whittling, carving and making rammial woodchip. Application window 21 Aug – 24 Sep.
Propagation, planting and woodland creation (Wednesday 15th November) – This day will cover the various ways to propagate trees including seed saving, sowing and grafting. We will consider ways of designing and implementing woodland creation and will learn various methods of tree planting. Application window 11 Sep – 15 Oct.
Further information:
If you would like to apply for the next event (Billet making and charcoal burn 7-8 July 2023), please click here.
If you struggle with forms or have any questions, please feel free to email Karina at karinavponton@gmail.com or call on 07895313435.
South West