Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy – help shape our response
The Institute is planning to respond to the NI Peatland Strategy consultation currently open and we would like to invite comments from all members across the UK. Read the consultation and send your thoughts to Jemima Cooper, the Institute’s Senior Policy & Research Officer, by 20 August. Peatland sites for timber production and forestry in […]
Policy Roundup – July 2021
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News This month saw the first in-person meeting of the Institute team in Edinburgh which included a visit to a Forestry and Land Scotland harvesting site and some swinging through the trees at […]
Revised National Planning Policy Framework launched – President’s comment
The National Planning Policy Framework was revised on 20 July 2021 and sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. This revised Framework replaces the previous National Planning Policy Framework published in March 2012, revised in July 2018 and updated in February 2019. Commenting on the revised […]
Call for Forestry & Woodland Advisory Committee members
There are a number of vacancies to fill on the Forestry Commission’s Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committees (FWACs) and we strongly encourage Chartered members in England to demonstrate their expert knowledge and express their interest. The FWACs helps shape the way the Forestry Commission leads the expansion, protection, improvement and connection of people to the […]
Breeding populations of bark beetle tree pest identified in Kent
Members are advised that several new breeding populations of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, have been identified in Kent. Defra, Forestry Commission and the Animal and Plant Health Agency are increasing surveillance activity in the area and immediate action is being taken to support steps toward eradication and minimise the risk of onward […]
Opportunities to represent the Institute – certification and tree health
We are looking for Chartered members to take up two representative roles on sector groups and committees in certification and tree health. You would be a crucial touch point between Institute staff, Council and members and help shape the Institute’s activities in these areas. Please refer to the ICF Representative brief for a general overview, […]
ICF Vice President gives keynote speech at Treescapes 2021
Treescapes 2021 this week has been a fantastic showcase of research, packed with presentations and workshop discussions from a huge range of talented tree professionals. Hosted by the Royal Forestry Society and led by early career researchers, it has undoubtedly succeeded in its aim to facilitate conversations between practitioners and academics. Institute Vice President, Geraint […]
Update to the Agricultural Transition Plan in England and Institute response
On 30 June 2021, the Secretary of State has announced the next stage of Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) development and Defra have published a progress update that sets out the changes: gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-transition-plan-june-2021-progress-update Outline plans As outlined in the Agricultural Transition Plan in November 2020, ELMs comprises three schemes: Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), aimed at farmers […]
Policy Roundup – June 2021
Our monthly policy roundup blog updates you on what the Institute has been getting involved in and what you can get involved in too. Institute Policy & Research It’s been a busy month at the Institute, well balanced with some cautiously increased freedoms including a Bristol team lunch by the harbour. The Accelerating Woodland Creation […]
Environment Secretary responds to ICF Executive Director
Following the launch of the England Trees Action Plan, Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor wrote to George Eustice MP to emphasise the critical role trees and wood products will play in addressing the dual climate and nature crises. On 22 June we received the following reply. It is great to hear that the Institute is a […]