The Educator Magazine U.K. Jan-April 2023. - Magazine - Page 64
National School of
Forestry Student Wins
Tilhill’s ‘Best Dissertation
Award 2022’
Connor O’Donoghue a Woodland Ecology and Conservation graduate from
Ulverston has won Tilhill’s 2022 Award for ‘Best Dissertation’ on the BSc (Hons)
course at the University of Cumbria, home to the National School of Forestry.
Connor, who wrote the best dissertation
focusing on interactions between forest
fungi, said: “Thank you Tilhill for the
award and prize, it’s both surprising
and gratifying. The award is motivating
for many forestry students to push
themselves further and is a kind
recognition to the students who really
excel.
“Undertaking a university degree through
the coronavirus pandemic was a highly
limited and isolating experience. I am
aware that everyone was affected to
varying degrees by the virus and by the
restrictions, but I feel as though young
people were seriously affected at a time
when their social networking should have
been at its peak. Despite this, the
University of Cumbria and the lecturers
on the forestry team made their best
efforts to adapt their delivery of course
content and maintain an engaging
learning experience.
“I have just completed my Professional
Tree Inspector’s qualification and I’m also
learning to drive; I will soon combine
these two skills with those obtained over
the course of my degree to seek selfemployment in the field of woodland
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management and tree audit and
assurance.”
The Award, a specially carved wooden
trophy along with £250 prize money, was
presented to Connor at the University of
Cumbria’s, National School of Forestry
located at its Ambleside campus by John
Lees, Tilhill North & Central England
Senior Forest Manager.
Upon presenting the Award, John
commented: “It gives me great pleasure
to present this award to Connor whose
dissertation on the potential role of
using pleurotus ostreatus and trametes
versicolor as biological control of
Armillaria mellea in the forestry setting is
really very interesting and timely from a
climate change perspective. Well done to
Connor for undertaking the course during
what was a challenging period.
“The increasing environmental, social,
and economic importance of forests leads
to exciting opportunities for graduates
worldwide. We are thrilled to be able to
offer Connor this award and wish him all
the best for the future.
“It is a great time to announce that the
Tilhill graduate programme is now open
for graduates with drive, passion and
enthusiasm who are interested in a career
within the forest sector.”
Andrew Leslie, Senior Lecturer at National
School of Forestry said: “Connor was a
dedicated and bright student, and this is
reflected in the quality of his dissertation.
The topic he chose was unusual, but
important to forestry in Britain, as
we know relatively little about the
interactions between different soil fungi
and forest trees. Thank you to Tilhill for
recognising this interesting work through
their prize for best forestry dissertation.”
Tilhill has a long association with The
University of Cumbria as many of its past
and present employees have studied
there. The University’s location is ideal for
studying forests and woodlands and its
degree course has a strong professional
focus.
As part of the company’s work to
strengthen links with students, Tilhill
offers awards to top performing forestry
students at leading universities which
offer degrees in forestry related subjects.
The company also runs a popular
graduate placement scheme.