New forestry Cabinet Secretary in Scotland
Following Humza Yousaf’s election as First Minister of Scotland, and a Cabinet reshuffle, Mairi Gougeon MSP’s new role of Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands now includes the responsibility of forestry and woodlands. Ms Gougeon was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016 and has previous knowledge of the sector, having been […]
Policy Roundup – March 2023
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news The Spring Budget to Parliament on 15 March touched briefly on waste and agriculture but barely mentioned nature and the environment, so despite positive progress on trees and woodlands with Defra and […]
Executive Director attends Trees and Forestry Stakeholder Forum
The Institute’s Executive Director, Louise Simpson, joined staff from Defra, the Forestry Commission and Natural England for the first in-person Trees and Forestry Stakeholder Forum, held at London’s Oval cricket ground on 2 March. The meeting focused on how to better support tree planting and care in the future, learn more about emerging issues and […]
Policy Roundup – February 2023
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news February has whizzed by, with plenty of interesting policy news – not least the resignation of Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, where we will be eagerly observing what comes next. This month […]
Institute interviewed about skills crisis on BBC Radio 4
Our October 2021 position paper to governments across the UK detailed our serious concerns about the skills shortage in our sector, and its knock-on effect on achieving climate targets. This week Defra released their Environment Improvement Plan (EIP), which is the first revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan that was published in 2018. In […]
Updated Environmental Land Management schemes in England
With the ongoing development of agricultural transition in England, this week Defra published more information on the three Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, including actions, payment rates and when each scheme will be available. The three schemes are: The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) that will pay farmers for sustainable practices that will protect and enhance […]
Help shape your profession – call for Institute Representatives
Do you want to actively help shape your profession? The Institute currently has opportunities for members to represent us on the following sector groups: FISA Steering Group* Forestry Climate Change Partnership * Please note for this role the representative must be a member of FISA or be willing to join, thus agreeing to support the […]
Forest research launch new Climate Change Hub
The effects of climate change are accelerating, with increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as storms, flooding, drought and wildfire. These and other climate risks pose a significant challenge to management of our landscapes and wider society. Without action, our forests and woodlands may be unable to provide the multiple benefits they currently do, […]
Policy Roundup – January 2023
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 a busy start to the year at the Institute. We are particularly excited to be working with the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) on a position […]
New action plan to save England’s red squirrels
Over the last 150 years, England’s red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, populations have significantly declined. This iconic species is now classed as nationally endangered. Evidence shows that the expansion of grey squirrel populations and range are the main cause of local red squirrel extinctions. To mark Red Squirrel Appreciation Day on 21 January 2023, the UK […]