A look back at our Centenary National Study Tour 2025
The Institute’s Educational & Scientific Trust (EST) funded one Student member to attend the Centenary National Study Tour in October at Windsor Great Park. The selected student was Alice Haylock who currently works for the Forestry Commission (FC) as a Development Woodland Officer, and is in her second year of the degree-level Professional Forester Apprenticeship […]
Institute signs joint letters to new UK Government ministers
In November 2025 and following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, the Environmental Policy Forum (EPF) wrote to the recently appointed Secretaries of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; and Housing, Communities and Local Government, Emma Reynolds MP and Steve Reed MP, respectively. The Institute is one of 15 member bodies that make up EPF network […]
New resilience strategy launched by Forestry England
Forestry England today (10 November 2026) launched a new strategy and action plan that will protect the nation’s forests against the multiple threats they face. Three key principles of assessing, diversifying and restoring will guide foresters across the organisation so the 1,500 forests and woodlands in their care are fit for the future. As the […]
Help gather evidence of grey squirrel damage to trees
A major survey to assess the damage caused to trees and woods by non-native grey squirrels – last estimated to cost England and Wales £37 million a year – is being launched across the UK. The UK Squirrel Accord is asking landowners, managers and anyone with owner permission to carry out tree damage surveys in […]
SocEnv reacts to UK carbon budget and growth delivery plan
The UK Government published a new Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan on 29 November, featuring details on how the country will deliver emissions reductions up to the year 2037, how the government meets its statutory carbon budgets and secures the benefits of this transition for people and businesses. Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, Chief Executive […]
First Professional Forester Apprentices awarded chartered status
The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is delighted to celebrate a significant milestone, as three apprentices from the University of Cumbria’s inaugural Professional Forester Apprenticeship, in partnership with the ICF and the Forestry Commission, have been awarded Chartered Forester status after presenting for Professional Membership Entry (PME). Launched in 2022, this trailblazing programme is the […]
Revised Guide to Risk Management Strategies for Tree Root Claims published
The London Tree Officers Association (LTOA) has announced the launch of the revised Guide to Risk Management Strategies for Tree Root Claims. The main purpose of this document is to provide up-to-date guidance to reduce incidences of tree related subsidence to properties and reduce the financial risk to local authorities whilst retaining trees where their […]
Policy Roundup – July, August & September 2025
Our quarterly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news Welcome to the third quarterly Policy Roundup of 2025, from the Institute’s Technical Policy Manager, Caroline Harrison MICFor. Special Interest Groups Our Special Interest Groups continue to meet quarterly, including a new […]
Celebrating progress & world first for grey squirrel fertility control research
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) researchers funded by the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) and supporters attained a world first for wildlife fertility control. Positive news for a programme aiming to find a non-lethal option for invasive grey squirrel management. The multi-year research programme being delivered by APHA has resulted in a scientific breakthrough by […]
RFS launch video to raise awareness of mental health in forestry
The Royal Forestry Society shared the Every Interaction Matters short animation on World Suicide Prevention Day, working in partnership with Confor, FISA, Forestry Contracting Association, the Institute of Chartered Foresters, and kindly funded by the Forestry Commission. Most people working in forestry know someone who has been severely affected by issues surrounding mental health. It’s not […]