Millie Toft, a dedicated student at the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences (SENS), Bangor University, has been awarded the prestigious Tilhill Forestry Phil Johnson Memorial Award for Best Silviculture Student 2024. This accolade recognises her exceptional performance on the MSc Silviculture module.
Toft, based in London, received a specially carved wooden trophy and £250 in vouchers from Tilhill Forestry’s recently retired Southern England Regional Manager, Julian Ohlsen. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Forestry with the support of her employer, the Forestry Commission, where she has been a valued member of the team for over seven years. Recently, Toft transitioned to the Policy and Advice Team, where she oversees key projects under the Woodland Access Implementation Plan. Previously, she provided essential operational support to the Oak Processionary Moth control programme within the Tree Health team.
Toft said, “What an honour and shock all bundled into one. I never believed for one moment that this would be me – especially as all my course mates are so experienced and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed all the aspects of the Silviculture module, which is testament to all the lecturers who made it such an engaging experience. So, thank you all.”
This award is dedicated to the memory of Phil Johnson, who served Tilhill Forestry with distinction for many years.
As the Regional Manager for England and Wales, Johnson made significant contributions to the company before his untimely passing, following a courageous battle with cancer. Among his many achievements, Johnson was instrumental in establishing the UK’s largest privately-owned mountain bike centre at Coed Llandegla, Wales, leaving a legacy of innovation and dedication.
When presenting the award, Julian Ohlsen said, “It is wonderful to know that Phil Johnson’s legacy within Tilhill Forestry and the wider industry lives on with the next generation of silviculturists and foresters. It was fascinating to hear of Millie’s work with the Forestry Commission and her interest in horse logging.
“Our partnership with Bangor University is a long-standing one, with many of their graduates joining rewarding careers as forest and harvesting managers within Tilhill Forestry, and we look forward to continuing this fruitful partnership for many more years to come.”
Mark Rayment, Senior Lecturer in Forestry at Bangor University, said, “At a time when increasing threats to forest health have prompted us to increase our provision of Forest Protection as a new MSc module at Bangor University, Millie’s expert work demonstrated how the core of silviculture – species choice and silvicultural system – can be ‘nudged’ to mitigate the potential impact of Phytophthora pluvialis in the south-west of England.
“Millie is the deserved winner of the Phil Johnson Memorial Award for 2024, and she joins a long list of recipients inspired by Phil’s legacy and into whose hands we entrust the future health of our forests.”
Forestry has been taught at Bangor University for more than 120 years, and its forestry degrees are accredited by the Institute of Chartered Foresters.