Scotland’s Finest Woods is pleased to announce that Wilma Harper MBE FICFor CEnv has been selected as its new chair.
A Chartered Forester and Chartered Environmentalist, Wilma has been a trustee of Scotland’s Finest Woods since June 2017 and replaces Guy Watt FICFor who has been a Trustee since 2009 and served as chair for three years.
Wilma has held senior positions across the Forestry Commission, and is a former President of both the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the Royal Scottish Forestry Society – a role she will step down from later this year. She has also held non-executive roles with TWIC, the local record centre for South East and Central Scotland, and the National Biodiversity Network.
Scotland’s Finest Woods runs a prestigious annual Awards ceremony, covering a diverse range of land use. This year, the awards ceremony is planned for the Scottish Parliament during National Tree Week in early December, with a deadline for entries of May 31.
Wilma said: “The diversity of Scotland’s trees, woodlands and forests is something to behold and being chair of Scotland’s Finest Woods allows me to champion the great work going on.
“I am continually impressed by the amazing people who are passionate about all types of woodland and forestry, and make them places of innovation and success.
“There is a lot we do to promote this fantastic work, not least the annual Awards – currently applications are coming in for this year. If you work in a wood that is one of Scotland’s finest you still have time to apply for the 2025 Awards.
“It has also been very heartening to see the importance of the Awards being increasingly recognised and the financial support that has been provided by the Scottish Government and commercial companies, as well as our supporters. It is very much appreciated.”
There are 11 competitions at this year’s Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards covering the new category of Urban Forestry, as well as Quality Timber, Farm Woodland, New Native Woods, Community Woodlands and Schools and Early Years, and Climate Change.
Because of this breadth of awards, anyone with a high-quality project can enter, whether that be a forestry business – small or large – an expert forester, farmer or crofter, or a community group, as well as education settings.
Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “Wilma has been of great service to many areas of forestry and woodland, and the people who work, live and play there. Therefore, it is encouraging she can bring her wonderful experience as a new chair.
“Guy Watt’s time as chair has seen Scotland’s Finest Woods and the Awards thrive and grow. Now, as we celebrate 40 years since the Awards began, we look forward to a new chapter with Wilma.”
Guy Watt added: “Being a Trustee of this charity is an enormous privilege and pleasure, and I am delighted to be handing on the role of Chair into Wilma’s very capable hands.
“Each year it has always been exciting and very encouraging to see the range and quality of entries for all the awards.”
Enter Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025 now
Schools and Early Years entries closed on March 31. All other entries must be submitted by 23:59 on Saturday May 31, 2025.
For full details, criteria and entry forms see: www.sfwa.co.uk
