Faces of Forestry
Every picture tells a story, what's yours?
About this project
In a first-of-its-kind celebration of women in forestry, the Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research, supported by Defra, commissioned The People’s Picture to create a photo mosaic that was on display at the Forestry England exhibition: Women in Forestry, The Lumberjills’ Story hosted at Grizedale Forest from May to December 2023.
The exhibition celebrates the contribution of the Lumberjills, a group of women who played a vital role in maintaining the supply of timber in WWII.
Artwork
The giant mosaic created by the People’s Picture features over 2,000 publicly submitted photographs, past and present, of women from across the forestry sector and the general public. It was on display throughout the exhibition, as well as available to view online as a virtual interactive artwork. Thank you to all the women who submitted photographs, illustrating the connection today’s women have with forests and woodlands.
The commitment and dedication of the women made a real difference to the war effort. During their time up to 18,000 women became skilled in forestry and had earned the respect they deserved, paving the way for women to undertake forestry roles in the future. In 2023 45% of the workforce at Forestry England are female, but some sectors are still under represented. Remembering the perseverance, bravery and community of The Lumberjills can inspire us to continue to work for change.
As tree planting increases across the country, so too does the demand for a diverse, skilled forestry workforce. There are a wide range of careers in forestry available for women from all backgrounds, from being a forester, ecologist, or tree surgeon, to working in conservation to scientific research. There are also lots of exciting wider roles linked to our nation’s forests, from business planning and management to leisure and tourism.
Battling discrimination, the women referred to as the ‘Lumberjills’ rose to the challenge of the hard physical labour involved, some even felling trees in a blizzard to prove the naysayers wrong. Their commitment and dedication made a tangible difference to the war effort, with the timber produced used in railways, mining, aircraft and even for charcoal gas mask filters. Yet, whilst many may have heard of the Women’s Land Army – the story of their Lumberjill colleagues has been all but forgotten, until now.
2,031 photos collected
2,031 photos collected
Featured faces
The Lumberjills
Women have long played a role in modern forestry but are underrepresented. As tree planting across the country increases, so does the demand for a larger skilled domestic forestry sector to deliver Government tree planting and net zero ambitions. There are a wide range of careers in forestry available for women from all backgrounds, from being a forester, ecologist, or tree surgeon, to working in conservation to scientific research. There are also lots of exciting wider roles linked to our nation’s forests, from business planning and management to leisure and tourism. Often facing prejudice from local communities and the men that worked alongside, the women lived on very little money, were always on the move and had to find accommodation at each new place of work. Despite the tough working conditions, many of the women forged friendships and respect while doing their bit for the war effort. Their incredible contribution paved the way for women in forestry. Forestry England is supported by the government’s £750 million Nature for Climate Fund, part of which will kick-start a step-change in tree planting in England. This will help us achieve our commitment to increasing and protecting our biodiversity by providing habitat connectivity, as well as capturing carbon as part of the pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.
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Forestry England Grizedale
Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead, LA22 0QJ
Forestry England grows and cares for forests, manages more land and trees than any other in England, and provides vital homes for wildlife. Forestry England manages England’s public forests, planting trees, providing sustainable timber, protecting wildlife, and maintaining trails for public enjoyment, while also working to combat climate change and grow the economy. As the nation’s largest land manager, they manage approximately 250,000 hectares (620,000 acres) of forest across England, and their funding primarily comes from their own operations and activities, with less than 10% from government.
“Doing this as my work, being a part of this ecosystem of woodland and doing something which influences it is profoundly satisfying. To be a small part of a bigger picture, watching it unfold around you, knowing it will be here long after you’ve left, is a great privilege.”
Kate Jordan | Learning and Engagement Officer, Grizedale Forest
“I’m delighted to see a celebration of women in forestry. Women have always been integral to the forestry sector, and will be vital to England’s efforts to increase tree-planting to reach net zero by 2050 and combat the effects of climate change. I am passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive sector, and opening up even more exciting and rewarding careers for women – from foresters to ecologists, to woodland officers and business planners. The door is open for women from all backgrounds to come and join this growing sector.”
Forestry Minister | Trudy Harrison
“It’s been amazing to see so many individual memories, come together to tell the
incredible story of the Lumberjills, not only here at Grizedale but right across the
country. The exhibition includes text by author Joanna Foat author of the book
Lumberjills: Britain’s Forgotten Army and also includes photographs and artefacts
from a series of private and public sources including the Imperial War Museum. The
exhibition is so much richer thanks to everyone who responded to our calls for
information and it’s fantastic to share these amazing stories through the
exhibition.”
Hazel Stone | Arts Manager| Grizedale Forest
“The subject matter and storytelling opportunities this project offers are original and magical. I am really looking forward to seeing all the images grow over the next few weeks, whilst I imagine and create a final artwork in the studio to commemorate such a special and untold story. As an artist-led studio practice we create innovative photo mosaic artworks and installations at the leading edge of art, design and technology. Pictures are powerful. People connect with pictures. People share their memories, dreams and celebrate through pictures.”
Helen Marshall | Artist| the People’s Picture
