Call for Expert Committee on Forest Science member
The Forestry Commission Expert Committee on Forest Science (ECFS) makes a significant contribution to the development of forest science in the UK. This is at a time of unprecedented interest in the benefits which forestry can provide to society and the importance of objective evidence in guiding choices over trees, woods and forests. The ECFS […]
Institute meets with Lord Goldsmith
On 10 January we met with the forestry minister Lord Goldsmith and Defra officials to discuss the skills crisis in the sector, further to their response to our position paper. We were very encouraged with their engagement and sense of urgency, which matched our own. Institute Vice President Geraint Richards introduced the issues, the […]
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 […]
Farmers to be rewarded for their role in woodland creation
Since leaving the EU, the government has introduced three new environmental land management schemes that farmers can get involved in and can be rewarded for participating in. The Local Nature Recovery scheme, Landscape Recovery scheme and Sustainable Farming Incentive will be critical in halting the decline in species by 2030, bringing up to 60% of England’s […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Institute skills paper engaged with by all four UK governments
Last month, we sent our position paper on the forestry skills crisis to leaders across the country. The paper cited projected workforce shortages, a crisis in further and higher education and the lack of awareness of careers with trees. We stressed the urgent need for action and offered solutions to address the issues that will […]
DAERA Minister responds to skills paper
We have received another response on the back of our position paper on the skills crisis. Edwin Poots MLA, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister in Northern Ireland, has sent a letter of support to our Executive Director, Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor, and has requested a meeting to discuss how we can work together to […]
Policy Roundup – November 2021
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News Our Position Paper on the Forestry Skills Shortage Last month we launched a campaign on the forestry skills crisis that was covered in October’s Policy Roundup. We want to keep the momentum […]