Sam Roberts, a Bede's alumnus, currently thrives as a Woodland Creation Manager; a role he describes as the "forestry version of town and country planning." His work involves managing the entire process of establishing new woodlands, from initial client consultation and navigating regulatory approvals with bodies like the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry, and Natural Resources Wales, to handing over the approved plans for the physical planting.  

Sam's journey into this field was far from a direct A-to-B. Following his time at Bede’s and a gap year filled with adventure in Madagascar, Sam found his academic interests shifting. Inspired by his rainforest research experience, he pursued a degree in Conservation Biology, discovering a passion for GIS and sustainable forest management. This led to a Master's in Environmental and Forest Management, culminating in a published thesis on the environmental impact of wind turbine placement.

Sam found that breaking into the forestry industry proved to be a challenge, requiring persistence and a willingness to gain experience through volunteering. This ultimately led to a full-time position at a forestry firm. Reflecting on recent projects, Sam highlights the Greencroft project; a significant mixed woodland near a large population, showcasing the balance between timber production (primarily Sitka spruce) and ecological considerations.

Sustainability is central to Sam's work. He emphasizes the legal obligation for restocking felled areas and the long-term planning cycles involved in forestry. Careful planning is also key to balancing ecological concerns with timber production, involving avoiding sensitive habitats and conducting thorough wildlife surveys. 

Looking to the future, Sam sees his work as having a long-term legacy, benefiting generations to come. He credits his time at Bede's, particularly the influence of teachers like Miss French and Mr Juniper, for sparking his initial interest in ecology and the outdoors, and for fostering the confidence gained through leadership roles and extracurricular activities. While not a traditional academic path, his experiences at Bede's laid the foundation for his current impactful career in shaping the UK's woodlands.

A few of Sam's exciting projects can be seen here:

Wildlife hopes for 600 000 tree forest.

Forestry commission approves Greencroft Forest park.

Forest to be created on Greencroft estate.

A full overview of the Q&A with Sam Robert’s can be seen below;

What is your current role and what does it involve?
I'm a Woodland Creation Manager at a forestry company. My job starts when a client brings us a site, often with no trees. I then manage the planning and approval process to get the land ready for tree planting. It's essentially the forestry version of town and country planning, regulated by the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry, or Natural Resources Wales. Once approved, I hand the project over to the operations team who plant the trees.

How did you get into this line of work?
It was quite unplanned. After leaving Bede’s with three B grades at A-level, I aimed to improve my grades during a gap year but ended up having too much fun. I travelled to Madagascar with Frontier for a rainforest research project, then visited Plymouth University and loved it. I switched my university plans and completed a degree in Conservation Biology, where I discovered GIS and sustainable forest management, which really clicked with me. I went on to do a Master's in Environmental and Forest Management at the University of Aberdeen. My thesis, which focused on siting wind turbines to minimise peat and carbon impact, was later published.

How did you break into the forestry industry?
After my Master's, I applied to over 200 jobs during a tough job market. I was a finalist for the Forestry Commission's graduate scheme but didn’t get the role. Eventually, I moved to Brecon with my then partner and offered to work for free to gain experience. That led to a part-time role at a forestry firm which became full-time after three months.

What projects have you worked on recently?
One highlight is the Greencroft project in England—a large, mixed productive woodland near a population of 50,000 people, which is quite rare. It was approved in just 18 months. It includes Sitka spruce, our main commercial conifer, used for construction, fencing, pallets, and biomass.

Is forestry work sustainable and environmentally friendly?
Absolutely. There’s a legal obligation to restock any felled area, and we plan in long-term cycles. Some forests follow 35-year harvesting rotations, others take up to 100 years. We also ensure we protect or enhance habitats and biodiversity—everything is guided by UK Forestry Standards and often the even stricter UK Woodland Assurance Scheme.

How does forestry fit into the UK’s environmental goals?
Forestry is vital. The UK imports 80% of its timber, making us the second-largest timber importer after China. We're planting more trees not just for carbon capture but also for timber independence. Fast-growing conifers sequester more carbon compared to broadleaves and can be harvested more frequently.

How do you balance ecological concerns with timber production?
It’s all about careful planning. We avoid planting on peat or priority habitats, and we use various surveys to protect wildlife. At Greencroft, for example, the original 500-hectare plan was reduced to 290 hectares after environmental assessments. We work to maintain or improve habitats, even while creating productive woodlands.

Do you see changes in public or governmental support for forestry?
There’s a positive shift. The Forestry Commission now actively supports commercial planting. However, in Scotland, there’s been some resistance due to public perception. Still, we need trees across all parts of the UK—England, Scotland, and Wales alike.

What kind of legacy do you see in your work?
Forestry is very much about long-term impact. The trees I help plant today may not be harvested in my lifetime. It’s work that will benefit future generations, and that’s a powerful motivator.

How did your time at Bede’s shape your career path?
Teachers like Miss French and Mr Juniper inspired my love for ecology and the outdoors. Though academic, I didn't revise as much as I needed to. I enjoyed science and the extra curricular activities on offer at Bede's. I developed confidence through leadership rolls of both House and School Prefect, and though I wasn't part of any of the school sports Teams, I found my niche through outdoor activities and exploring nature.