Forestry policy & CPD roundup January – March 2026
Welcome to the Institute’s policy update focusing on key developments shaping forestry and land use policy, upcoming consultations, CPD events, and opportunities for member engagement. Headline updates Forestry Commission leadership and policy tone The outgoing Forestry Commission Chair, Sir William Worsley MICFor, reflected on and reinforced three policy priorities likely to shape 2026–2030: Climate‑resilient woodland […]
National Tree Officers Conference 2026 – Call for Presentations open
Building on the success of ten previous events, we’re delighted to announce the National Tree Officers Conference will return on 4 November 2026. Proudly hosted by the Association of Tree Officers (ATO), Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), London Tree Officers Association (LTOA) and the Municipal Tree Officers’ Association (MTOA), the conference will take place in […]
Landscape Institute to welcome key speakers to Scotland housing conference
Màiri McAllan MSP (Scottish Government) and Karen Anderson (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) will join plenary sessions exploring how a landscape-led approach to housing delivery in Scotland is essential for people, place and nature. The Landscape Institute (LI) is pleased to announce the programme and speaker lineup for the Scotland edition of its National […]
National Tree Officers Conference 2025 – Call for presentations open!
Building on the success of nine previous events, we’re delighted to announce the National Tree Officers Conference will return on 5 November 2025 for its tenth anniversary! Proudly hosted by the Association of Tree Officers (ATO), Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), London Tree Officers Association (LTOA) and the Municipal Tree Officers’ Association (MTOA), the […]
Support for new e-learning programme grows as the new UKFS comes into force
A new e-learning programme designed to provide an alternative way of accessing the latest version of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) which came into effect on 1 October, has been backed by the profession’s government-run agencies. Created and developed by the Institute of Chartered Foresters with funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural […]
Leading professional institutes to gather for Trees, People and the Built Environment 5
Early Bird Tickets now available Conference at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham and Online – 23 & 24 April 2024 How can trees contribute to the quality of place for both people and nature? How can they contribute to net zero ambitions for our built and natural environments? Kevin McCloud MBE FICFor (Hon), host of Channel 4’s popular […]
Institute members discuss tree shelters at Castle Howard
The Institute’s North England Regional Group held a one-day conference on 6 July at the magnificent Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, organised by Simon Place MICFor and Jim Smith. The purpose of the day was two-fold: to discuss the prospect of establishing woodlands and trees without the use of tree shelters where possible (plastic or […]
Forest research launch new Climate Change Hub
The effects of climate change are accelerating, with increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as storms, flooding, drought and wildfire. These and other climate risks pose a significant challenge to management of our landscapes and wider society. Without action, our forests and woodlands may be unable to provide the multiple benefits they currently do, […]
CPD Survey 2021 – Results
As the professional body for the forestry sector it’s vital that we understand the development needs of our members. Continuing Professional Development is more important than ever as growing pressure is put on our sector by the dual climate and nature crisis and the ongoing skills shortage. In autumn 2021 we asked all Institute members […]
Chartered Foresters develop new online learning platform
Building on the success of previous online courses, Cumbria Woodlands has launched Canopy Learning. It is critical that organisations, woodland owners and professionals have access to current training and this platform uses a mixture of video, audio and written resources. Director of Cumbria Woodlands and Chartered Forester, Neville Elstone MICFor, said: “This is a new era […]