Consultation Opens on UKWAS 5 Draft
A consultation has been opened and we encourage members to comment on an Initial Revision Draft of UKWAS 5. The consultation draft has been prepared by a chamber-balanced working group reflecting economic, environmental and social interests taking full account of stakeholder input. Peter Wilson FICFor, Chair of the UKWAS working group, said: “This Consultation Draft […]
Our Response to the EFRA Environmental Land Management and Agricultural Transition Inquiry
With the UK Government publishing their plans for an agricultural transition in late 2020, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee subsequently launched an inquiry into Environmental Land Management and the agricultural transition. A national pilot of the new Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) is due to launch in late 2021. The inquiry […]
England Launch Agricultural Transition Plan
The Agricultural Transition Plan published on the 30 November is vital reading for foresters. It really does herald a revolution in land management incentives (and to a lesser extent regulation) and outlines how the different schemes and components will interact, including the Environmental Land Management scheme. Some of the biggest developments are reductions in direct […]
Forestry Journal Free for Institute Members from 2021
Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research Published by the Oxford University Press, Forestry is the Institute’s international journal and provides high quality articles and reviews on all aspects of research, practice and policy that inform and promote the sustainable management of forests and trees. There are five issues published every year, one of which […]
Institute Responds to EFRA Inquiry
The Institute has submitted evidence to a Westminster committee inquiry saying that government needs to address the skills shortage urgently in order to meet the challenges it faces, and not just for planting new trees but to meet objectives across the dual climate and nature crises. The Environment, Food and Rural & Affairs (EFRA) Committee […]
What is the Future for Forestry Post-Brexit?
With the Brexit transition period ending on 31 December, there are going to be certain changes that businesses and governments will have to prepare for. In light of this, we were pleased to offer three webinars in November that focussed on different areas of the industry, what changes will be needed and how the sector […]
Institute Responds to Planning Reforms
The Institute has responded to the government consultation on planning reforms, emphasising the importance of considering trees and woodland properly in the planning process. We were advised by a group of members and other experts working in planning, arboriculture and urban forestry. We also worked with a number of prominent organisations including the Arboricultural Association, […]
Dr Gabriel Hemery FICFor Speaks on Why Trees are Key to New Agricultural Revolution
In September 2020, Dr Gabriel Hemery FICFor CEnv spoke, on behalf of the Institute and the Sylva Foundation, at the Westminster Policy Forum’s online conference on the future of agricultural land use. “Better for food, better for nature, better for people – trees for life. Trees really can deliver for climate, nature, people and the […]
Survey Finds Farmers Want More Support for Agroforestry
Produced in collaboration with the Soil Association and the Farm Woodland Forum, the Agroforestry Handbook was published in 2019 and aims to help farmers make decisions about planting and integrating trees into their farming systems. The following survey was designed to assess the impact of the handbook and to identify what further support was needed […]
Your Chance to Input on Four New Apprenticeships
The Arboriculture, Forestry, Horticulture and Landscape Apprenticeship Group has gained approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to develop four new apprenticeships. Once complete, these will be supported by the Government’s apprenticeship scheme and will be available for training providers to offer across England. Employers, with the support of training professionals, have been […]