Policy Roundup – August 2024
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news With Summer drawing to an end, we’re looking ahead to a busy autumn events calendar, with a highlight being the anticipated Horizon Scan series. Read all about this partner webinar series below, […]
HSE update: forestry and arboriculture fatal notification & prosecution
As a member of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG), we regret to inform members of a recent forestry related fatality in Perthshire, and regarding a HSE prosecution related to unsafe tree work. Initial fatal notification – Transport (ATV) We have received an initial notification from HSE about an […]
Read about our Environmental SIG’s Professional Development Day
In June, our Environmental Special Interest Group (SIG) held its first in-person event with two site visits hosted by Network Rail and the City of London Corporation. Gordon Pfetscher FICFor, SIG member and Head of Estate at the Woodland Trust, attended this event and has reported back on the day’s activities. Site One – Network […]
Policy Roundup – July 2024
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news UKFS e-learning This month we launched an accredited e-learning programme to help tree professionals get to grips with the latest edition of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS), which comes into effect in […]
Prestigious award made to renowned female forestry graduate
Bangor University has awarded a prestigious Honorary Doctorate of Science degree to Susan Chomba, who graduated from the University with a forestry MSc in 2012. This is in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public service. Susan is a climate scientist, who is internationally recognised for her work protecting and restoring forest landscapes. Her work […]
Call for Scotland’s Finest Woods Trustees
Join the dynamic team at Scotland’s Finest Woods as a Charity Trustee and support their work in promoting the best of woodland and forestry across the country, from school nursery and community woods to agroforestry and quality timber production. Scotland’s Finest Woods is seeking up to four new Charity Trustees to bolster the Charity’s governance, […]
Key takeaways from our Early Career Professionals Study Tour: Carbon and Investment
Our Early Career Professionals Study Tour 2024 took place on 2 and 3 July where a group of early career professionals travelled across various estates and woodlands in Devon. The tour offered practical insights into forestry management, the importance of collaboration, and information regarding existing models for carbon finance, biodiversity net gain, and further investment […]
UK Government appoints new Minister for forestry
With a new Labour government now in power, Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has appointed his cabinet, including Steve Reed OBE as the Secretary of State with overall responsibility for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). On 18 July 2024, Mary Creagh (elected MP for Coventry East) was announced as Defra’s […]
Ips typographus found on UK Sitka spruce trees
The Forestry Commission has issued a warning after a number of Ips typographus findings were reported on Sitka spruce trees in the South East of England and urge woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry to remain vigilant. Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle found on Sitka spruce trees in the UK for the first time Forestry […]
Institute welcomes new Fellows
The Institute’s Professional and Educational Standards Committee has approved the promotion of four new Fellows. Sam Brown FICFor – Senior Forest Operations Officer, Natural Resources Wales Sam joined the Institute over 13 years ago and oversees the planning and delivery of harvesting, thinning, restocking and establishment in the mid Northeast area to meet NRW’s forest […]