Stefan gets top award in forestry (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Stefan gets top award in forestry

8:33am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in Andover

A STUDENT from Sparsholt College has become the first to win the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Silky Fox Handsaws Awards.

Stefan Janovsky, 18, from Longparish, is studying for a City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Arboriculture, and has won the award for the student showing most endeavour.

The awards, which will be held annually, recognise outstanding performance on forestry and arboriculture courses and have been introduced at 21 colleges throughout Wales and England.

Stefan was presented with a Silky Gomtaro 300mm pruning saw and a year’s RFS membership by RFS Southern Division chairman Sir James Scott.

Sir James said: “Throughout Stefan’s career he will be drawing upon practical skills to ensure the health of trees and woodlands.

“Understanding good woodland and arboricultural management is a continuous process as new techniques are developed, new threats and diseases appear and new tree species are introduced.

“The RFS promotes continuous learning through its many woodland events, allowing those interested in all forms of woodland management to discuss a broad range of issues and exchange experiences whilst seeing examples of practical woodland management in action.

“We look forward to seeing Stefan at our meetings, and wish him well in his future career.”

Sparsholt’s head of arboriculture, forestry and horticulture Jonathan Baker said: “Stefan has won for a number of reasons – his 100 per cent attendance and very good academic outcomes, both practically and academically.

“Stefan’s tutors have said that his confidence has grown exponentially and he has proved himself to have a very professional team ethic whilst on worksites, helping those who are struggling.”