FISA Storm Arwen guidance
Following the recent damage inflicted on trees and woodlands across the UK by Storm Arwen, the Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) have recently issued guidance on how to safely manage windblow and its aftermath: FISA recognise that Storm Arwen has produced a myriad of new areas of storm damaged trees, windblow, potentially weakened standing and […]
Policy Roundup – November 2021
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News Our Position Paper on the Forestry Skills Shortage Last month we launched a campaign on the forestry skills crisis that was covered in October’s Policy Roundup. We want to keep the momentum […]
New Environment Act passed into law
According to Defra, the UK’s new environmental legislation leads the way on a global level, aiming to improve air and water quality, tackle waste, increase recycling, halt the decline of species, and improve our natural environment. Specifically, the Environment Act will deliver: Long-term targets to improve air quality, biodiversity, water, and waste reduction and resource […]
Forestry Minister responds to Institute’s skills position paper
In early October, we sent this position paper to Ministers across the UK detailing our serious concerns about the skills shortage in our sector, which we believe puts climate targets at risk. The paper cited projected workforce shortages, a crisis in further and higher education, lack of awareness of careers with trees – essentially, a […]
Forestry skills crisis puts climate targets at risk
On Thursday 7 October we sent a position paper to Ministers across the UK detailing our serious concerns about the skills shortage in our sector, which we believe puts climate targets at risk. Read the executive summary below or download the full document. We have asked governments to commit to action and offered solutions; we […]
Forest Research publish 2021 statistics on the sector
According to Forest Research’s Forestry Facts & Figures 2021 report, the total woodland area in the UK has increased by 23,000 hectares since 2020. The publication includes UK statistics on woodland cover, timber and wood products, imports and exports, economics, employment, woodland visits, international comparisons and the environment. Woodland area in the UK is […]
EWCO: Changes to Environmental Stewardship agreements
Members should be aware of some recent amendments to Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements in relation to the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). These amendments come after the collective work of Defra, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), Natural England and the Forestry Commission. See below an update from the Forestry Commission on these amendments. […]
Scottish Forestry Trust announces new Trustees
The Scottish Forestry Trust recently announced the appointment of four new Trustees, including two Chartered members of the Institute, who will take up their posts on 1st January 2022. Established in 1983, the Trust is a registered charity and has a remit to provide private sector funds to support research and education throughout the British […]
Institute members recognised in delayed RFS forestry awards
After the Royal Forestry Society’s Excellence in Forestry awards for 2020 were delayed due to the pandemic, judging was able to take place in 2021 after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the winners have been announced. There are five categories of awards and judges praised the quality, quantity and variety of entries and shortlisted […]
Celebrating Scotland’s Finest Woods
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards’ organisers are advising anyone interested in forestry, woods and related projects in Scotland that the usual limit to the number of people attending the ceremony does not apply to this year’s online event. Normally, the popular awards are held at the Royal Highland Show and numbers have to be limited due to space […]