Institute responds to the UK’s revised grey squirrel policy statement
The Institute of Chartered Foresters welcomes the publication of the UK Government’s Grey squirrel policy statement: managing the impact of grey squirrels and supports its commitment to addressing the significant and ongoing impact of grey squirrels on England’s woodlands. The Institute was one of the founding members of the UK Squirrel Accord, a partnership of […]
Policy: Protecting London’s Urban Forest in a Changing Climate
The Institute of Chartered Foresters has responded to the Future Climate Suitability of London’s Public Realm Trees report, published in November 2025 and authored by Dr Andrew Hirons and Kevin Martin: The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) fully supports the findings from Future Climate Suitability of London’s Public Realm Trees and calls for swift and decisive action to prevent avoidable […]
Forestry policy & CPD roundup — January 2026
Welcome to the first policy update of the year. This month we look back at the last quarter of 2025 and focus on key developments shaping forestry and land use policy, upcoming consultations, CPD events, and opportunities for member engagement. Headline Updates Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 The UK Government published its overarching Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, which sets out a broader […]
Call for Expert Committee on Forest Science members
The Board of Forestry Commissioners established the Expert Committee on Forest Science (ECFS) to provide independent, expert advice and assurance on the quality of science and evidence provided by the Forestry Commission’s (FC) research agency Forest Research (FR) and other providers. As a committee member there is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the […]
Nature Restoration Fund: early information for nature markets and the wider sector
The Planning and Infrastructure Act is a key part of the government’s ambition to deliver long-term economic growth and accelerate the delivery of new homes and infrastructure across Britain. As part of this, the Forestry Commission has just published the Nature Restoration Fund Implementation Plan, setting out how the Act will support the recovery of […]
Consultation opens on amended UKWAS 5 text on game-release pens
Stakeholders can now make comment on a proposed amendment to UKWAS 5 requirements for game-release pens. Following stakeholder concerns, the UKWAS steering group had charged its revision working group with the task of reviewing and, if thought fit, amending requirement 4.10.1. Working group chair, Peter Wilson FICFor CEnv, said: “This was a challenging task as […]
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 […]
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 […]
Third version of the Woodland Carbon Code launched
A new version of the Woodland Carbon Code – the UK’s quality assurance standard for woodland carbon projects – launched on Friday 1 August 2025. Version 3 incorporates insights from recent research and consultation feedback and aligns with national and international frameworks. The changes are designed to make the Woodland Carbon Code more accessible, practical […]
Institute signs joint statement on Local Nature Recovery Strategies
We recently published a joint statement with Confor and the Royal Forestry Society in support of the development and implementation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) across England, but these LNRS must be developed with a strong foundation in professional forestry expertise, evidence-based standards and collaborative engagement. Please see this statement below. Forestry advice for […]