Tree-mendous honour for pioneering professor
Professor Piers Forster, Director of the Priestley Centre, has been recognised for his outstanding work in the field of climate change research.
Piers now has a wood near Harrogate named after him in recognition of his outstanding contributions to climate science, environmental education and leadership during an illustrious career as an atmospheric physicist. He’s known for his research on the causes of climate change and the climate response of the Earth system.
Piers is also patron of climate action charity Zero Carbon Harrogate and a long-time supporter of Long Lands Common – Harrogate and Knaresborough’s first ever community-owned woodlands project, which is where Forster Wood is located.
Piers said of the honour: “I was blown away by it really.
“I bought a share or two in Long Lands Common at its start but haven’t been involved until now, so I was taken aback when the group said they wanted to name the area Forster Wood.
“I’ve spent my career collecting evidence on the benefits of climate action and nature recovery to compel nations to act. But it’s not governments or my efforts that deliver real change, its communities like Long Lands that are there making a difference.
“People think trees take time to grow, but in only a couple of years the site has transformed, and our town’s natural environment has already massively improved from their work.”
Protecting biodiversity
Piers, who has worked at Leeds since 2005, is founding Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures and Academic Lead for the University's own Climate Plan.
As well as his research career, Piers helped establish the United Bank of Carbon – a UK charity that researches and protects trees and forests. He also has several roles advising industry and government. Piers was appointed a member of the UK Climate Change Committee in 2019 and as its Interim Chair in 2023.
Piers has been involved with Long Lands Common – which borders the Nidderdale Greenway between Bilton, Starbeck and Knaresborough – from its establishment in 2021 on 30 acres of farmland previously threatened by the building of a major road through the greenbelt.
Long Lands Common was set up to protect biodiversity and the environment to create accessible green space for the community, and to educate people about how to live a sustainable zero carbon lifestyle, in harmony with the local ecosystem.
Now covering 90 acres with the addition of Knaresborough Forest Park, its transformation from farmland to nature reserve is well underway, thanks to help from regular volunteers and grants from the White Rose Forest, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The group behind the project recently acquired a further 60 acres of land following a £900,000 fundraising campaign supported by the community, including colleagues working at the University.
Local heroes
Trees planted on the original woodland block form the area now named Forster Wood.
James McKay, Manager of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Centre for Doctoral Training UNRISK at Leeds, is chair of Long Lands Common Limited. Explaining the reason behind the announcement, he said: “Our policy is to honour local heroes by naming areas of our sites after them, which also roots our site in the community.
“We wanted to name Forster Wood in recognition of Piers’ outstanding contributions to climate science, environmental education and leadership.”
Piers said: “When the climate is changing faster than ever, and governments and businesses are rethinking their climate targets, we need community woodland and community action more than ever.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with great colleagues on climate research and climate policy. I love my work. I’ve even received a few awards before. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change I worked on in 2007 won the Nobel Peace Prize alongside [former US Vice-President and environmentalist] Al Gore. However, this one means the most. The trees that have been planted and the wonderful carved oak sign will outlast my contributions.
“Forster is a shortened version of Forrester, and my mother and father planted thousands of trees before me. I’m hopeful we can keep the family tradition going!”
The share offer is still open for anyone who wants to support the project.
Piers added: “To deliver resilient societies, we need to create the spaces for nature and people to flourish. I encourage everyone to visit and join in with efforts at Long Lands and Knaresborough Forest Park.”