A graduate from the University of Cumbria has been recognised for his work by a leading forestry firm.
Connor O’Donoghue, of Ulverston, is a woodland ecology and conservation graduate. He won Tilhill Forestry’s 2022 award for best dissertation on the BSc (Hons) course at the University of Cumbria, home to the National School of Forestry.
Connor’s dissertation focused on interactions between forest fungi. He said: “It’s both surprising and gratifying. The award is motivating for many forestry students to push themselves further and is a kind recognition to the students who really excel.
“Undertaking a university degree through the coronavirus pandemic was a highly limiting and isolating experience. I am aware that everyone was affected to varying degrees by the virus and by the restrictions, but I feel as though young people were seriously affected at a time when their social networking should have been at its peak. Despite this, the University of Cumbria and the lecturers on the forestry team made their best efforts to adapt their delivery of course content and maintain an engaging learning experience.
“I have just completed my Professional Tree Inspector’s qualification and I’m also learning to drive; I will soon combine these two skills with those obtained over the course of my degree to seek self-employment in the field of woodland management and tree audit and assurance.”
The award, a carved wooden trophy along with £250 prize money, was presented to Connor at the University of Cumbria’s National School of Forestry at its Ambleside campus by John Lees, Tilhill north and central England senior forest manager.
Andrew Leslie, senior lecturer at the National School of Forestry said: “Connor was a dedicated and bright student, and this is reflected in the quality of his dissertation. The topic he chose was unusual, but important to forestry in Britain, as we know relatively little about the interactions between different soil fungi and forest trees.”
