Keith Jones

Please describe yourself and your areas of interest.

I began my career as a forest craftsman with the Forestry Commission in February 1975 and have since spent over five decades working in forestry, land management, and urban and rural regeneration. My work has included creating the Newlands land regeneration programme, developing the Forest Futures woodland grant to support Cumbria’s recovery following foot-and-mouth disease, and, from 2003 to 2021, chairing the Lake District National Park’s Technical Advisory Group, which helped secure the Lake District’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why did you become a Companion of the Guild?

I am drawn to the Guild because Ruskin’s belief in the close relationship between landscape, craftsmanship, education, and social responsibility reflects my own outlook. I regard forestry not simply as a technical discipline, but as a craft requiring skill, judgement, patience, partnership working, and an understanding of natural systems and people. I look forward to learning from fellow Companions and contributing my experience of stewardship, conservation, and managing landscapes for the benefit of people, local economies, nature, and future generations.