International Women’s Day 2022
International Women’s Day takes place on 8 March every year. We are working to increase diversity of our membership. Women are still underrepresented in our sector and we need to ensure that people from all genders and backgrounds consider forestry and arboriculture as a career that is open to them. Over […]
Fund4Trees welcomes new Research Coordinator
Fund for Trees (F4T), a charity promoting sustainable treescapes, has welcomed Dr Madalena Vaz-Monteiro as its new Research Coordinator. Dr Vaz-Monteiro is an urban forest scientist at Forest Research with expertise in urban forestry, horticulture, and landscape architecture. She joins F4T to liaise with those seeking research grants. By acting as a bridge between F4T, its Research Advisory Committee (RAC), […]
Emergency tree work must be handled by experienced professionals
Extreme weather conditions have caused problems across the country recently, with many communities living with the aftereffects of Storm Dudley, Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin. Fallen trees and branches are again causing a lot of disruption. As a member of the HSE’s Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG), we want to stress again to members […]
Institute members accompany Minister for Environment on site visit
Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment, has seen at first hand the multiple benefits of large-scale tree planting for the country’s economy and environment. Ms McAllan visited the Knowes & Keltie site near Dunning, Perthshire, where a 450 hectare (ha) site has been planted over the last two years. The site in the Ochils has made […]
UK Forestry Learning Space / Initiative survey
Recognition of the ongoing forestry skills shortages and growth of the wider industry due to climate change and the green economy has created impetus for exploration of a new forestry learning space across the UK. Such a space would seek to address recruitment and education needs, coordinate resources, as well as raising awareness of the […]
Worker killed felling tree
We regret to let members know of another fatality in our industry. Last week in Shropshire, a worker was crushed and killed when felling a tree. Being struck by a tree, or branches, when undertaking tree work is the most regular cause of death and major injury in forestry, arboriculture and other land-based industries. Tree work […]
Two major forestry funds to reopen
The Forestry Commission has announced that it will reopen two major grant schemes in early 2022. Woods into Management (WiM) Forestry Innovation Funds With an increased demand for wood and increased levels of woodland management, this fund will support new and innovative ideas that will ultimately help improve the ecological condition of woodlands and their […]
Institute leads discussion on agricultural transition
On Wednesday 2 February the Institute brought together 20 senior practitioners and experts from across the sector to discuss the government’s plans for Environmental Land Management (ELM) and Agricultural Transition in England. This was based on the group we convened to produce an ELM position paper in 2019 and sector response to the 2020 consultation. […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods seek trio of Trustees
Do you believe Scotland’s finest woods should be celebrated? Can you spare 2–4 days a year for a rewarding governance role? If so, Scotland’s Finest Woods would love to hear from you! As trees and forests become increasingly important in addressing the challenges of sustainability, climate change, nature and people, Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards celebrate exemplary woodlands and […]
Forestry Commission announces ground-breaking apprenticeship programme for the forestry sector
First-of-its-kind opportunity offers an exciting career pathway into the forestry sector for people from all backgrounds and abilities Successful applicants will support delivery of ambitious tree planting targets as we build back greener A first-of-its-kind apprenticeship initiative to foster a growing, highly skilled and more diverse workforce within the forestry sector has been announced […]