Two north England based degree graduates have got their new careers off to a flying start, winning top student awards from the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF).
These prestigious awards recognise talented students graduating with forestry or arboriculture degrees in the UK. Winners receive a cheque from the ICF together with an award certificate presented by ICF chartered members, who are leading professionals in their field.
At Myerscough College in Preston, Lancashire, student Nicholas Torr was delighted to receive his special ICF award at his graduation ceremony in July. Nick (left in the picture) completed his BSc (Hons) Arboriculture degree course with research into the effects of applying sugar water on the mycorrhizae of tree roots for his dissertation project gaining him the coveted ICF award.
Making the presentation ICF Midlands Regional Group Chairman Marc Liebrecht MICFor said: “It’s a privilege to present this award to Nicholas who is clearly an outstanding student in his field and thoroughly deserves the recognition this award brings. The institute is committed to promoting excellence through these awards and is proud to support young men and women in developing their skills and careers as tree professionals.”
Nick said: “I am really chuffed with this. I set it as my top goal in my first personal tutorial at the beginning of the year. It was a tough year for me with problems at home, but thanks to the support of my family and college tutors I’m really proud to have made top student.”
Also picking up an ICF accolade at Carlisle Cathedral was University of Cumbria National School of Forestry student Carrie Wallace (left in the picture to the right) who received not just her BSc (Hons) Forest and Woodland Management at her graduation but also the ICF Top Student award for her studies.
Carrie, who became a new mum at the start of her final year, juggled her studies with motherhood to complete her degree and despite the pressures still gained top marks. Carrie’s final year dissertation was entitled “An Investigation of Epiphytic Lichen Diversity at Young Wood”. She said: “Young Wood is considered to be the highest Atlantic oak woodland in England and suffers from severe fragmentation and isolation. Lichens are useful bio-indicators in woodland management so I wanted to study them to understand more about this woodland, its environment and history, something which hadn’t been done before at this site”
A delighted Carrie added: “I am so happy I have managed to finish my degree this year, it feels so good to graduate! And to be given this award from the ICF for my work is just fantastic. To both be a new mum and finish my degree within a few months of each other is just the best feeling!”
Presenting the award Shireen Chambers FICFor, ICF’s Executive Director, said: “I’m delighted that Carrie has received this Best Student award from ICF. This is particularly pleasing given the pressures on her during her final year and her sheer determination deserved the top marks she gained in her degree. The profession needs bright and enthusiastic new entrants and this award is recognition of that.”
Nicholas is now working as a consulting arboriculturist and tree work manager for Ecos Consulting, part of Greater Manchester Tree Station, while Carrie, who is expecting her second child, plans to start a PhD in forestry research in the future; something she is sure to sail through.
