Plant health facts
Here are some fascinating fast facts about the importance of plant health to humanity, our economy and the environment.
Education and Training
Government and key partners have taken a range of actions to improve education and training on plant health and address the varied levels of knowledge and skills across different audiences.
Plant diseases are now included in the English GCSE and A-level curriculum as part of communicable diseases with the inclusion of emerging plant health problems, such as ash dieback.Fera Science Ltd has been involved in working with the National Stem Learning Centre training secondary school teachers and laboratory assistants in practical techniques for plant pathology, in addition to work with Gatsby funded Science and Plants for Schools.
University Programmes
We have created a Master’s degree in Plant Pathology and Post Graduate Certificate in Plant Health and Biosecurity in partnership with Harper Adams University.
Deadlines for applications for 2025 entry:
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UK and Irish citizen applications: 10th September 2025
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International applications: 31st May 2025
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International MRes applicationa: 30th April 2025
We have funded a Plant Health Undergraduate Studentship Scheme co-ordinated by the Royal Society of Biology, providing paid summer internships for the past 3 years. This has been used to leverage further studentships from well informed societies, such as the British Society of Plant Pathology, building a portfolio of 10 studentships per annum.
Applications must be received by 23:59 on the 21st April 2025
We have successfully supported the Gatsby Plant Sciences Summer School engaging with over 1,000 undergraduate students and teachers during the last 10 years.
Educational Resources and Training
- We have worked with the Royal Society of Biology to develop a new National Plant Health and Biosecurity competency framework and Plant Health Professional Register, with over 80 professionals now registered, to recognise and develop competency.
- Observatree have produced a series of training materials to help volunteers identify pests and pathogens.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, have designed Endeavour, a training resource for teachers to deliver inspiring lessons about plant science and the environment
- The Royal Horticultural Society have published gardening webpages as a public resource for gardening advice on different pests and diseases and good biosecurity practice.
- Forestry Commission have produced e-Learning modules, which are widely available for land managers on the threats to trees, including how to practice biosecure woodland management. Several of the Environmental Land Management pilots will pay land managers to complete this training.
Royal Forestry Society
RFS Forestry Roots traineeship has opened for applications. Forestry Roots has kickstarted the career of over fifty young foresters since its inception eight years ago and we’re excited to offer four new placements in 2025/26 at Chatsworth House, Harewood House, Hill Holt Wood and Hillyfield.
Traineeships in the 2025/26 Forestry Roots programme are offered by:
Harewood House in West Yorkshire has over 800 acres of woodland, including around 150 acres of Ancient Woodland sites containing hundreds of ancient and veteran trees. The Forestry Department is made up of a small, skilled team who undertake a wide variety of works across the Estate. The successful trainee will assist the team in delivering their 10-year woodland management plan.
The Hillyfield is a 46-acre ancient woodland in Dartmoor National Park managed for environmental and community benefit. This multi-faceted role combines practical timber processing with woodland management tasks. It is an ideal position for those interested in sustainable management of woodland and the value-added use of timber.
Located on the Lincolnshire-Nottinghamshire border, Hill Holt Wood is a 34-acre sustainably managed woodland and social enterprise. The successful candidate will report to the Head Forester, assisting the team in all aspects of the operation, from chainsaw felling and coppicing, to ride management and sawmill operation.
One of the country’s most beloved historic estates, Chatsworth House in Derbyshire is home to 3,800 acres of woodland set within the dramatic landscape of the Peak District. The trainee will work with a skilled team of foresters and arborists, gaining experience in forestry maintenance operations, chainsaw operations, tractor driving, processing firewood and more.
Funded by The ALA Green Charitable Trust, Forestry Roots is open to 18-30 year olds that are looking to start a fulfilling career in forestry and arb, whether fresh out of education or changing profession. Each trainee will receive 20 days of hands-on training worth up to £2,000, professional development and workplace experience that culminates in a Level 2 Forestry qualification. It’s a fantastic pathway into the sector, especially for those without previous employment in forestry and those who have faced barriers in education and/or work.
Help Protect Our Plants with Izzy the Inspector
Find out fascinating facts about plants and discover how you can help protect our plants with Izzy the Inspector!
