Scottish Forestry Trust announces new Trustees
The Scottish Forestry Trust recently announced the appointment of four new Trustees, including two Chartered members of the Institute, who will take up their posts on 1st January 2022. Established in 1983, the Trust is a registered charity and has a remit to provide private sector funds to support research and education throughout the British […]
Institute champions sustainable forestry across the UK
One of our greatest strengths as a professional body is our UK-wide remit and responding to consultations is an important way to influence policy and develop partnerships. We recently submitted a response to the UK Forestry Standard Review key stakeholder consultation to express our unwavering commitment to the UKFS and our support for the review […]
Soil Health Action Plan to be launched in England
Announced in a speech in the House of Lords by the Minister of State for the Environment, Lord Goldsmith, the Soil Health Action Plan (SHAPE) will help restore the health of England’s soils and will contribute to the government’s targets on biodiversity. The plan will be a crucial part of Defra’s efforts to halt the […]
Institute members recognised in delayed RFS forestry awards
After the Royal Forestry Society’s Excellence in Forestry awards for 2020 were delayed due to the pandemic, judging was able to take place in 2021 after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the winners have been announced. There are five categories of awards and judges praised the quality, quantity and variety of entries and shortlisted […]
Defra announce Tree Health pilot
Announced on 31 August, the Government’s Tree Health pilot will support action against pests and diseases in ash, sweet chestnut, larch and spruce trees in England. The findings from the three-year pilot scheme, delivered by the Forestry Commission, will help develop the future Tree Health scheme that is due to launch in 2024. Defra are […]
Government seeking views on the release of beavers into the wild
Beavers are being reintroduced in the UK after being hunted to extinction 400 years ago. A consultation launched by Defra on Wednesday 25 August is seeking views on the proposed approach to the further reintroduction and the management of the species in the wild in England. Widely referred to as ‘ecosystem engineers’, beavers can play […]
Policy Roundup – August 2021
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News EWCO In late July, we held an event hosted by the Forestry Commission on the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). There was excellent engagement from members who asked some probing questions. Forestry […]
UK Research and Innovation to fund research on how trees can help reach net zero
The UK Research and Innovation public body have announced £10.5 million of funding to support research on the value of trees to people and the planet, and expanding treescapes across the UK. Six projects have been awarded funding to develop new tools and approaches for how trees and woodlands can adapt to climate change. The […]
IPCC publish report on impacts of 1.5 °C global warming
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, providing regular scientific assessments, implications and potential future risks, as well as putting forward adaptation and mitigation options. Published only a few months ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, the special report, Global Warming of 1.5 […]
Successful Green Recovery Challenge Fund projects announced
With £80 million available for nature conservation, recovery and nature-based solutions, the Green Recovery Challenge Fund will see the establishment of almost one million trees in England, supporting 2,500 jobs. Following on from the first round in December 2020, a further 90 projects have been successful in the second round, with grants ranging from £68,100 […]