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At SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, work experience opportunities help students take their learning beyond the classroom and gain valuable insights into the world of work.

For second-year BSc (Hons) Wildlife, Conservation and Ecology student and course rep Zed Esmail, a summer week with Landmarc Solutions opened a new perspective on forestry.

Building on earlier experience with Tilhill, Zed was able to see first-hand the unique challenges of managing woodland across the MOD estate. In this guest blog, she shares how the experience has developed her skills and enthusiasm for a future in forestry.

Earlier this spring, I shared how a work experience with Tilhill Forestry deepened my curiosity for forestry.

During summer, I had the privilege of building on that foundation with another invaluable week of experience – this time with Landmarc Solutions at Longmoor.

Where Tilhill gave me insight into commercial forestry, Landmarc offered a different perspective – showing me the complexities of managing woodland within the unique context of Ministry of Defence (MOD) land. This work experience was particularly eye-opening, because it gave me insight into the unique challenges of managing woodlands across the MOD estate – landscapes that must balance ecological health, operational requirements, and public safety all at once.

Throughout the week, I was able to get involved in a wide variety of activities that deepened my understanding of woodland management. These included:

• Gaining an understanding of regeneration fells and how they shape future woodland landscapes
• Exploring post-wildfire management and how woodlands can recover from and adapt to these increasingly common events
• Learning about ash dieback management and the long-term implications of the disease
• Exploring how pests and diseases affect monoculture plantations and what steps can be taken to mitigate risks
• Considering how introducing broadleaf species can create greater resilience against both pests and wildlife impacts
• Seeing how nature corridors are planned and implemented to support biodiversity across managed sites
• Carrying out health and safety risk assessments in woodlands, ensuring safe access and use
• Reviewing long-term woodland plans and understanding the many factors that guide decision-making
• Observing first-hand the complexity of forestry management on MOD land, where environmental, operational, and social priorities must all be considered together.

What struck me most was just how multifaceted woodland management becomes in these contexts. Forestry isn’t simply about growing trees – it’s about balancing ecological restoration, resilience against climate impacts, and human use of the land. Decisions made today – from diversifying tree species to designing corridors that connect habitats – will impact the future, shaping both ecosystems and communities.

On MOD estates, that responsibility is made even more complex by the need to support military training, safeguard public safety, and conserve biodiversity all at once.

The week also highlighted the importance of building resilience in modern forestry. It involves long-term planning, adapting to the challenges of climate change, restoring degraded habitats, and ensuring that managed landscapes can withstand pressures from multiple directions.

Seeing how Landmarc integrates these priorities gave me a much deeper understanding of what sustainable forestry looks like in practice.

While the season spared me muddy boots, the week was still marked by classic British summer weather—sudden showers to bursts of sunshine, often in the same afternoon. Those fluctuating skies were a reminder that forestry, much like the weather, requires adaptability and resilience—qualities I hope to continue developing as I explore this career path. 

I am extremely grateful to Andy Player, Julian Williams, Dane Brewer, and Judith Peachey for their time, guidance, and generosity throughout the week. Their expertise and encouragement helped me gain a much deeper appreciation of the forestry profession and the critical role it plays in shaping sustainable, resilient landscapes.

This work experience not only strengthened my technical understanding of woodland management but also reaffirmed why I am so drawn to forestry: it is a career that blends ecology, sustainability, and practical fieldwork in ways that make a lasting impact.