UKFS to be reviewed again this spring
First introduced in 1998, the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) outlines the context for forestry, sets out the approach of the UK governments to sustainable forest management, defines standards and requirements, and provides a basis for regulation and monitoring. The standard is reviewed every five years and an updated version is due to be published in […]
Policy Roundup – December 2021
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News It has been another challenging year, from COVID-19 to Storm Arwen, with not a single dull moment in the world of tree policy. In the 2020 Membership Survey, our members’ top priority […]
Assessing the risks and putting health and safety first
We regret to say that we have been notified of another fatality in our sector. After felling a tree in Kent earlier this month, a worker was crushed and killed, with the circumstances being investigated further. Please see this notice from HSE regarding the recent incident. The number of fatalities in the last year is […]
New controls to stop the spread of bark beetle tree pest
After the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, was discovered earlier this year in Kent following routing plant health surveillance, additional measures have been introduced to prevent the spread in Kent and East Sussex. Building on existing restrictions in the area, a new notice will come into force on Wednesday 22 December that includes the […]
Update on Storm Arwen
Last month’s Storm Arwen caused significant damage to trees and woodlands across the UK, particularly in Scotland and North England. The sector is currently assessing the wider impact and are beginning to make plans to restore the areas affected by the storm. The Forestry Commission have stressed the importance of seeking professionals who are trained […]
Institute Executive Director interviewed for ITV News
With the UK Government committing to plant at least 30,000 hectares of new woodland each year to combat the climate emergency, the Institute’s Executive Director, Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor, was recently interviewed by ITV News as part of a story investigating these targets. Shireen said: “It’s going to be difficult to achieve. Agricultural land availability is […]
Chartered Foresters develop new online learning platform
Building on the success of previous online courses, Cumbria Woodlands has launched Canopy Learning. It is critical that organisations, woodland owners and professionals have access to current training and this platform uses a mixture of video, audio and written resources. Director of Cumbria Woodlands and Chartered Forester, Neville Elstone MICFor, said: “This is a new era […]
Research shows benefits of woodlands for mental health
In a new study published by Forest Research, the link between mental health and woodlands has been explored. The pandemic proved the importance of local access to trees, woods, forests and other natural environments to maintain well being. This study found that the estimated value of woodlands on mental health in the UK was £185 million, […]
Storm Arwen threatens red squirrel habitats
Woodlands across the UK have experienced significant damage over the last week due to storm Arwen. The Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST), a national charity for red squirrel conservation and protection, have voiced concerns over the devastation of the rare mammal’s habitat. David Bliss, Trustee of the RSST, and CEO of Cumbria’s Lowther Trust, said: […]
Institute responds on GB biosecurity strategy & UKWAS 5 revisions
On 30 November we submitted and published responses to two important consultations. GB Biosecurity Strategy With exponential growth of pests and diseases in the last 30 years, worsening as climate changes, we are facing a huge challenge to the biosecurity of trees, woods and forests. Our response suggested five priority areas for the strategy: Agility […]