Live and online woodland management course

SCOPE:

In late 2021, we collaborated with Syla Foundation to produce a series of five live-streamed programmes on woodland management for Cumbria Woodlands. Designed for a public audience, the aim was simple yet vital; to explain why and how woodlands need to be managed, and to inspire a deeper understanding of sustainable forestry.

The content was structured around five key themes:

Introduction to woodland management
Woodland assessment
Silviculture
Ecology
Timber products

The challenge was to translate complex technical knowledge into engaging, accessible content broadcast live, with high production value and real-time audience interaction.
Following the success of this first project, our partnership with Cumbria Woodlands expanded to support the creation of a new UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) Resource Tool. Developed in collaboration with the Sylva Foundation, this resource helps woodland owners and managers understand, apply, and integrate the UKFS principles into everyday woodland management.

DELIVERY:

Working with videographer Alice Carfrae, we spent several days filming in woodlands, capturing the expertise and authenticity of those managing real forests. The resulting film segments formed the backbone of each live-streamed session, which combined live studio presentation, video inserts, and interactive Q&A with audiences.
Generous technical support from the Creative Engagement Group allowed us to deliver TV-quality live broadcasts through winter evenings, fronted by Jez Ralph and Katherine Giles. The programmes were later made available on the Canopy Learning platform, where they continue to inform and inspire new audiences.

Building on this success, we worked alongside Cumbria Woodlands and the Sylva Foundation to develop the UKFS Resource Tool — a comprehensive, integrated learning experience available through both the myForest and Canopy Learning platforms.
The myForest platform now includes new functionality to help woodland owners embed the UK Forestry Standard within their management plans.

Canopy Learning offers a free, accessible short course introducing the UKFS and serving as a practical reference for sustainable woodland management.

A new series of short videos, created by Evolving Forests, provides real-life examples of UKFS in action — featuring real people working in real woodlands, showing how principles translate into practice.

This collaboration brought together:
Andrew Clark and Paul Orsi, Sylva Foundation – Developers of the myForest platform

Carrie Hedges, Cumbria Woodlands – Author of the UKFS course on Canopy Learning

Katherine Giles and Jeremy Ralph, Evolving Forests – Creators of the UKFS video series
Together, we’ve helped create a truly joined-up, multimedia resource that makes sustainable woodland management more understandable, actionable, and inspiring.

COLLABORATORS:

Sylva Foundation