Tom Jenkins MBE FICFor (1959–2026)
The Institute of Chartered Foresters was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Tom Jenkins MBE FICFor, a long‑standing member whose commitment both to professional standards and the ICF spanned more than thirty years. Tom gave sustained and thoughtful service to the Institute throughout his career. Most notably, he served for 16 years on […]
Richard Stanford CB MBE achieves Professional membership of the ICF
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce that Richard Stanford CB MBE, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, has been promoted to Professional Member status, acknowledging his significant contribution to the forestry sector and his continued dedication to advancing sustainable forestry policy and practice across the UK. Richard Stanford CB MBE joined the […]
ICF welcomes England’s Red Squirrel Recovery Strategy
The Institute of Chartered Foresters welcomes the publication of the England Red Squirrel Recovery Strategy, an important milestone for woodland stewardship and species conservation across the country. As the professional body for forestry and arboriculture, we recognise the strategy’s strong foundation in evidence‑based management, its emphasis on resilient woodland design, and its commitment to coordinated […]
Forestry policy & CPD roundup January – March 2026
Welcome to the Institute’s policy update focusing on key developments shaping forestry and land use policy, upcoming consultations, CPD events, and opportunities for member engagement. Headline updates Forestry Commission leadership and policy tone The outgoing Forestry Commission Chair, Sir William Worsley MICFor, reflected on and reinforced three policy priorities likely to shape 2026–2030: Climate‑resilient woodland […]
Host a young professional forester in Summer 2027
Are you interested in hosting a placement on our 2027 Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme? We are looking for two organisations who would be willing to host a young professional forester from either Australia, Canada or New Zealand for three months in Summer 2027. This is an opportunity for you to create career-enhancing development experiences […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2026 – entries open!
Entries are now open for all categories of Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2026, and it has never been easier to submit a superb example of excellence in woodlands and forestry. With a new website and easy to use online entry forms it could not be simpler to have your work championed on the national stage. […]
Defra publishes responses from call for evidence on the private sector in nature recovery
Defra received 169 responses to its Expanding the role of the private sector in nature recovery call for evidence that closed in August 2025. The Institute provided evidence for this call to inform policy developments and help deliver the Environmental Improvement Plan commitment to encourage private investment in support of nature recovery goals. The summary […]
National Audit Office report on the Nature for Climate Fund
On 23 March, the National Audit Office published its latest report on the Nature for Climate Fund. The report reviews progress across both tree planting and peatland restoration, examines how the programme was established and delivered, and considers the key barriers that remain. The Institute was pleased to contribute evidence to this review and welcome […]
Silvicultural Prize 2025 awarded to Gardenia Gonçalves de Oliveira
The Percy Stubbs and John Bolton King and Edward Garfitt Prize for Silviculture (Silvicultural Prize) is awarded annually for work published in the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ (ICF) prestigious journal Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research. We are delighted to announce the 2025 Silvicultural Prize has been awarded to Gardenia Gonçalves de Oliveira for the paper ‘Optimizing […]
Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme: meet the 2026 candidates
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to introduce the talented individuals selected for the 2026 Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme. This inspiring initiative, delivered in partnership with the Canadian Institute of Forestry, the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, and Forestry Australia, offers emerging leaders in forestry the opportunity to take part in a three-month […]