Forestry Horizons was conceived by Sir Martin Wood and Dr Gabriel Hemery in 2006. Initially established as a project of the Oxford Trust, the project was transfered to the Sylva Foundation in 2009. It now forms a major part of Sylva's Science programme.

Forestry Horizons is the UK's only dedicated and independent forestry think-tank.



We undertake independent strategic research and support applied research aiming to foster sustainable forest management. We make all our research work freely available as far as we are able. Some peer-review papers may only be accessible via direct subscription with the publisher.  Our research database is linked to the Global Forest Information Service.


Activities - some highlights

• Technical co-ordinator for the Institute of Chartered Foresters' 2008 National Conference on forest carbon.
• Leading role in EU COST Action E42 concerning the growing of valuable broadleaves. Co-ordinated and edited the Final Report for 100 scientists from 25 countries.
• Completed two consultation research reports with our partner BioRegional concerning woodfuel resource estimatation and planning.
• Two research contract reports for UK Government Organisations - for Forest Research and for the UK Land Use Policy Group.
• Central role in the T10Q project and supervision of a DPhil student at the University of Oxford studying the use and application of evidence-based policy in forestry.
• Co-ordinated and edited Proceedings for national conferences of the Institute of Chartered Foresters: 2008, 2009.
• Published 25 reports and papers in the last three years.

If you are interested in discussing new research or collaboration concepts with us, please contact Dr Gabriel Hemery.



Forestry Horizons is led by Sylva CEO Dr Gabriel Hemery CEnv MICFor, supported by Mr Alistair Yeomans, Sylva Director of Forestry. Much of the research undertaken is in collaboration with other individuals and organisations. We believe this leads to strong and effective research.

Dr Hemery is a forest scientist, environmental programme manager and forestry policy-thinker. He co-founded the Sylva Foundation and is currently its Chief Executive. He has practical hands-on experience in land management, extensive knowledge of the forest sector and is a specialist in hardwood forestry research. He has conducted a wide range of consultancies for Government, NGOs and the private forestry sector and worked widely in collaborative international research programmes. The author of more than 50 papers and articles, he has acted as editor for an international forestry journal, and is a member of the international editorial board of the CABI Forest Science Database.

Dr Hemery has held several senior positions in the UK environmental sector. He was responsible for creating a new 30 hectare research woodland with the Northmoor Trust , where he personally planted over 25,000 trees. He organised the establishment of more than 25 field trials across the UK and Ireland, and developed Britain’s first independent research centre dedicated to hardwood trees. Dr Hemery was formerly secretary of an international forestry science group, BIHIP, and has collaborated widely with scientists from Europe and North America in tree research and agroforestry programmes. He is a trustee for Woodland Heritage, a committee member of the Forestry Commission’s Regional Assembly for the South East, a Council board member for the Institute of Chartered Foresters (and a professional examiner), and serves on the Board of the Society for the Environment.