Climate, community, forestry and farming at the heart of Scotland’s Finest Woods 2024
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards are back for 2024 after a wonderful celebration in 2023. And this year four key areas form the focus of the prestigious Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards – climate, community, forestry and farming. The environment is central to everything the awards are about and the competition for the Climate Change Champion Trophy […]
Institute Fellow awarded MBE in New Year Honours
The Institute is delighted that Tom Jenkins FICFor has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Forestry Sector in the New Year Honours 2024 list. Currently the Head of Forest Research in Wales, Tom’s long and distinguished career has led to a wealth of tree knowledge […]
Institute responds to farming scheme updates
The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) welcomes the recent upgrade to farming schemes announced by the Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP on Thursday 4 January 2024. As the biggest update to the UK’s farming schemes since leaving the European Union, we’re pleased to see trees on farms moving up the agenda based on their wider benefits to business […]
Institute Fellow awarded Honorary Doctor of Science
In December 2023, Trefor Owen FICFor was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree (DSci) from Bangor University for his contribution to Public Service. Trefor is a senior Welsh forestry professional and experienced public sector leader in sustainable forestry and land management. Before retiring in 2022, he was responsible for the care of Scotland’s 650,000 […]
Policy Roundup – December 2023
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news Emerging Leader Programme A webinar was held on 5 December, showcasing the final presentations of the Emerging Leaders from the Clore Leadership Development Programme. Three groups, as voted for by peers, presented […]
Institute responds to National Wood Strategy for England
On 7 December 2023, the National Wood Strategy for England was launched at Confor’s UK Policy Conference in London, where lead author Tom Barnes from Vastern Timber discussed the strategy’s key points and next steps, and Naomi Matthiessen provided a response on behalf of Defra. Attending the conference on behalf of the Institute was our […]
Institute welcomes three new Fellows
We are pleased to announce that the Professional and Educational Standards Committee has promoted three new members to Fellows of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. Gareth Hare FICFor Tree and Landscape Protection Officer, Cannock Chase District Council Gareth’s first experiences of forestry and arboriculture came from growing up on Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire. He attended […]
Trailblazing apprenticeship programme for the forestry sector re-opens
Applications for the next cohort of the innovative Professional Forester Apprenticeship programme reopened on 2 December as part of National Tree Week. The programme, a partnership from the Forestry Commission, the University of Cumbria and the Institute of Chartered Foresters, offers a three-year, paid development opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds looking to kickstart their […]
Policy Roundup – November 2023
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news Woodland Creation Summit In June 2023, a delivery action plan was announced aimed at ramping up tree planting levels. This included a £1 million investment by Scottish Forestry to provide comprehensive training for […]
Institute highlights of 2023
We’re coming to the end of another busy year and the Institute of Chartered Foresters has been as productive as ever in 2023. Take a look at some of our highlights from the past year. Our membership 2,200+ members andgrowing 5% growth in membership– the highest growth in five years 327 new members joinedin 2023 […]