Myerscough’s annual celebration of the arboriculture sector to return in 2027

The 2027 Arbor Day UK takes place on Thursday, February 11, at Myerscough’s main Preston centre, with the aim of bringing together forestry professionals, arboriculture specialists, environmental advocates, and students to examine the ecological, societal, and economic importance of trees and woodlands in sustainable land management.

Dom Atherton, Lecturer in Arboriculture at Myerscough College, said: ‘’We’re looking to invite people from across the arboriculture, forestry and wider tree-care industry into Myerscough College to spend some time with our Level 2 and T Level Arboriculture learners.

‘’We’d love to hear from individuals, organisations or companies who might be interested in delivering a short talk, demonstration, practical session or simply sharing their experience of working within the industry.

‘’We’re keeping the brief deliberately broad. It could be anything from mycology and tree health, climbing and equipment, veteran trees, urban forestry, consultancy, machinery, tree establishment, conservation, careers, research or emerging technology. If it is relevant to trees and could inspire the next generation of arborists, we’d be interested in hearing from you.

‘’The aim is to give our learners an opportunity to meet people working across different areas of the industry, hear different perspectives and see where a career in arboriculture might take them.

‘’Arbor Day also runs alongside our wider Careers Day, where companies and organisations can set up a stand and meet students from across the college. So, if you’re a business looking to speak to potential future employees as well as getting involved with our Arbor Day activities, there’s an opportunity to do both.

If you are a company or organisation that would like to be involved, please email datherton@myerscough.ac.uk or sbrandon@myerscough.ac.uk

Susanna Brandon, Curriculum Area Manager for Greenspace, said: ‘’As a leading centre for land-based education, training, and applied research, Myerscough College continues to champion environmental innovation and professional development within the forestry and arboriculture sectors.

‘’Arbor Day UK remains a key platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and public engagement at a time when the value of trees within the landscape has never been more widely recognised.

‘’ Our ambition is to develop Arbor Day into an engaging, high-profile event that delivers strongly against our four strategic objectives - sustainability and environmental leadership, employer and industry engagement, student experience and skills development, and community engagement and sector reputation.

‘’A key focus will be ensuring the day is relevant and inspiring for our learners, showcasing the breadth of progression opportunities and career pathways available across arboriculture, forestry and the wider sector.

‘’Alongside this, we want the event to provide meaningful opportunities for students to engage directly with employers, industry professionals and organisations.

‘’This is a fantastic opportunity to develop Arbor Day into something that genuinely showcases Myerscough’s arboricultural expertise, strengthens our industry relationships and most importantly, creates an inspiring and valuable experience for our students.’’

Further information of the programme of activities and guests will be released in due course.

In the last seven years Arbor Day activities have included planting many new hedge lines, creating seven new woodlands, as well as planting trees in the local community, including at 16 primary and secondary schools in Lancashire and Blackpool.

This is in addition to numerous speeches and guest lectures to students by a range of arboriculture professionals over the years, and dedicated tree planting ceremonies involving VIPs, invited guests and college staff, and opportunities to network with various industry colleagues.