The CMA is delighted to announce the presentation of a new award focussing on creating magic within our woodlands.
The search is underway to find the most deserving project, initiative or innovative practice that has made or is making an outstanding contribution to the conservation, management, interpretation or educational use of ancient woodland for the ‘Ancient Woodland Shield’ kindly donated by George Mist.
2026 will be the first presentation of this new award, which will thereafter be presented annually, with the shield being passed to the next recipient. George Mist was made an Honorary Fellow of the CMA for his many decades of stalwart work within woodlands, with communities and for his unwavering encouragement and support to fellow rangers, especially the younger generation. The shield has been crafted by George himself to award to those who follow in his footsteps.
The Shield is a way of acknowledging the hard work and commitment of people who contribute to protecting, enhancing and promoting the UK’s ancient woodland.
Ancient woodland is defined as land that has been continuously wooded since at least 1600AD in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, representing irreplaceable habitats with unique biodiversity. These woodlands are relatively undisturbed by modern human development, allowing complex communities of plants, fungi, insects and other wildlife to develop over time. The term does not necessarily imply that all trees are ancient, rather the woodland itself has existed continuously, even if individual trees have been felled or coppiced.
Each year CMA will look for a person or a group that have made an exceptional contribution to the management, conservation, improved interpretation or educational use of ancient woodland. Let’s showcase the amazing ancient woodland work that we all know takes place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you would like to submit an entry for 2026 please complete and return the nomination form (link below) by midnight on Sunday 13 September.
How to apply for the inaugural George Mist Ancient Woodland Shield
You can nominate a person or organisation that you feel deserves to be the winner of the Award, or you can put forward one of your own projects. Nominees do not have to be members of the Countryside Management Association.
Nominations are welcome for/from:
- Employers
- Other organisations/groups
- Volunteers
- Individual countryside management staff
For transparency and to avoid bias, members of the CMA Board may not submit an entry.
