Action Oak, the national partnership dedicated to safeguarding the survival of the UK's native oak trees, will as of this month be hosted by the Royal Forestry Society (RFS), taking over from Woodland Heritage which has fulfilled the role since Action Oak's launch in 2018.
Action Oak brings together charities, governments, research consortiums and private landowners, united in protecting our native oak species from mounting threats to their health and survival.
Geraint Richards MVO OBE FICFor, Chair of Action Oak and Head Forester to the Duchy of Cornwall and to His Majesty The King, said: "As the Chair of Action Oak, I am delighted that our new host will be The Royal Forestry Society, a highly respected and influential organisation that I have had the privilege of working closely with throughout my career. The Action Oak team looks forward to working with the RFS, and our other partners, to protect the our native oak trees for future generations."
Christopher Williams, Chief Executive of The Royal Forestry Society, commented: “Everyone at the RFS is looking forward to working more closely with the Action Oak team as its new hosting organisation. We will work hard to help Action Oak develop its important work to secure a healthy future for oaks in the UK."
The initiative is supported by Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments and by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: "This new partnership between Defra and the Royal Forestry Society is a crucial step in our collective effort to safeguard the health of our nation's oak trees. The Royal Forestry Society's expertise will be invaluable in delivering the mission of Action Oak in the coming years.”
Woodland Heritage will continue as an active and engaged steering committee member of Action Oak for the long term. John Orchard, Chief Executive of Woodland Heritage added: “After many years hosting Action Oak since its inception, we are very grateful to the RFS for supporting the initiative in this next, exciting phase of its development.”
Action Oak, Defra and the RFS wish to thank Woodland Heritage for its significant contribution during the first seven years of the Action Oak partnership and look forward to continuing this important collaboration under the new hosting arrangement with the RFS.
“Whilst celebrating this new partnership, I would also like to acknowledge and thank Woodland Heritage for all their support as the original host for Action Oak,” Nicola Spence added.
As part of this transition, the RFS is thrilled to welcome Action Oak Director, Annabel Narayanan to its team who joined the initiative in June 2023. Annabel has worked in the third sector for over 10 years, focused on environmental charities.
“Action Oak’s mission is to lead the vital work and research needed to protect our native oak trees” said Annabel. “With grateful thanks to Woodland Heritage for our first seven years we are excited to join the RFS and continue safeguarding the future of our oaks.”
Image credit is Charles Sainsbury-Plaice.