Public opinion of forestry survey results published
Forest Research have today (Thursday 10 July) released the results of the Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2025 for England and the UK, Scotland and Wales. The survey is carried out biennially, canvassing public attitudes to forestry and forestry-related issues. Welcoming the findings, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon commented: “It is really promising to see that […]
Have your say in the British Woodlands Survey 2025
Woodland resilience is perhaps the most important concern for everyone who manages trees and woodlands. It underpins all aspects of management and ultimately affects how trees and habitats will thrive in future. Changes in our environment, whether caused by humans or natural ecological processes, are impacting Britain’s trees and forests with increasing frequency and severity. […]
Forest learning at schools and nurseries shines at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025
The transformation of a wood near a primary school and learning in a local forest saw success in the Schools and Early Years categories at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025. Hardgate Primary School in Haugh of Urr, near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway, was the winner of the Crown Estate Scotland Schools’ Trophy. […]
Building the future forestry workforce
With the UK Government’s ambitious target to increase tree and woodland cover in England to 16.5% by 2050, the demand for skilled professionals in forestry has never been greater. A Forestry Sector Skills Plan (2025–2035) has been published that sets out the current barriers and challenges, presenting a comprehensive long-term agenda for change. This plan […]
Geraint Richards MVO FICFor awarded OBE in King’s Birthday Honours
Geraint Richards MVO FICFor, Head Forester to the Duchy of Cornwall and Past President of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), has been awarded an OBE for services to the Forestry Sector in The King’s Birthday Honours announced on 14 June 2025. Throughout Geraint’s tenure as President of the ICF, he has overseen the delivery […]
Institute signs letter urging for VAT removal on sunscreen for outdoor workers
A coalition of leading horticulture and landscape industry organisations has today announced the submission of a joint letter to the UK Government, calling for the removal of VAT on SPF 30+ sunscreen. The letter follows a revealing survey by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) and Plant Network, highlighting the alarming rates of skin cancer […]
New chair at Scotland’s Finest Woods to champion people, passion, innovation and success
Scotland’s Finest Woods is pleased to announce that Wilma Harper MBE FICFor CEnv has been selected as its new chair. A Chartered Forester and Chartered Environmentalist, Wilma has been a trustee of Scotland’s Finest Woods since June 2017 and replaces Guy Watt FICFor who has been a Trustee since 2009 and served as chair for […]
New data on skin cancer in the horticulture workforce
Please see below a press release from the Chartered Institute of Horticulture that was published in May 2025. 12% of survey respondents had been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer, according to a survey performed by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Plant Network looking at awareness of skin cancer and attitudes to […]
Prestigious awards presented at ICF Centenary National Conference 2025
The Institute of Chartered Foresters’ (ICF) Centenary National Conference 2025: Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future took place in Edinburgh on 29 & 30 April, with several highly prestigious ICF awards being presented to well-deserving, long-serving members who have played vitally important roles in shaping both the Institute and the sector. The awards were presented […]
40 years of championing a key national resource – Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is marking 40 years of celebrating all that is great about the country’s woodlands and forests. The Awards celebrate the people involved across all types of Scotland’s woodlands who through their dedication make them the finest examples of a key national natural resource. The Awards started at a time when many […]