Read our Annual Review 2025
Our Annual Review 2025 looks back at our centenary celebrations, events, groups, policy work, membership, awards, publications and more, with a message from our President, Andrew Sowerby FICFor.
Tom Coates MICFor announced as Professional Forester of the Year 2026
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce that Tom Coates MICFor, Area Supply Manager at James Jones & Sons, has been awarded Professional Forester of the Year 2026. Presented on 12 March at the Confor Dinner & Awards 2026, the prestigious award recognises contributions to the betterment of forestry on a community, regional, […]
Celebrating excellence: The Hugh Miller Award for Excellence
We are proud to recognise five outstanding professionals as recipients of The Hugh Miller Award for Excellence 2025. Named in honour of Professor Hugh Miller OBE FRSE FICFor (1939–2019), the award celebrates exceptional ability demonstrated through the Professional Membership Entry (PME) process. Professor Miller taught forestry at the University of Aberdeen between 1984 and 2004, […]
Defra publishes deer impacts policy statement for England
We welcome Defra’s recent deer impacts policy statement: managing the impacts of wild deer in England. This policy provides a clear, evidence-led framework to tackle the growing ecological, economic, and welfare challenges posed by rising deer populations. Recent evidence shows that 33% of English woodlands are now negatively affected by deer, up from around a […]
University of Cumbria branches out with the Welsh Government to support the upskilling of forestry professionals
The University of Cumbria in partnership with the Welsh Government, are offering current employees working in forestry the opportunity to become professionally recognised with an industry standard qualification starting with the completion of a fully funded one day workshop in March to be held in Llandrindod Wells. Currently forestry work is a safety critical role […]
Shortlist announced for Professional Forester of the Year 2026
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce the three shortlisted candidates for Professional Forester of the Year 2026, the prestigious award that recognises outstanding service to the profession and the sector. This award recognises the contributions made by Chartered Arboriculturists or Chartered Foresters to the betterment of forestry on a community, regional, national […]
Forestry, timber security & national resilience: a call to action
The UK Government’s latest national security assessment is clear: global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse pose serious risks to the UK’s food security, climate stability and economic resilience. For the UK forestry sector, this means greater climate volatility, supply‑chain disruption, increased pests and diseases, and rising wildfire and storm risks. It also means a growing […]
Institute responds to the UK’s revised grey squirrel policy statement
The Institute of Chartered Foresters welcomes the publication of the UK Government’s Grey squirrel policy statement: managing the impact of grey squirrels and supports its commitment to addressing the significant and ongoing impact of grey squirrels on England’s woodlands. The Institute was one of the founding members of the UK Squirrel Accord, a partnership of […]
Landmark Nature Restoration Bill passed in Scotland
The Scottish Parliament has passed the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill delivering for both nature and people with ambition at its heart and showing respect for nature, for the land and the people who steward and care for it. For the first time statutory targets will be in place to enhance nature and protect biodiversity in Scotland. […]
Policy: Protecting London’s Urban Forest in a Changing Climate
The Institute of Chartered Foresters has responded to the Future Climate Suitability of London’s Public Realm Trees report, published in November 2025 and authored by Dr Andrew Hirons and Kevin Martin: The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) fully supports the findings from Future Climate Suitability of London’s Public Realm Trees and calls for swift and decisive action to prevent avoidable […]