EFRA Committee report notes skills shortage risks to tree planting agenda
A worrying report by the EFRA Committee on the tree planting agenda in England recognises the skills crisis as a key barrier to success, quoting evidence put forward by the Institute. Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor was invited to give evidence at the inquiry in 2021, raising multiple challenges in skills and training for the sector […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2022 – “Don’t be shy!”
The submission deadline for entries to Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2022 is only two weeks away. Here, Angela Douglas FICFor outlines why you should get involved… Chartered Foresters are modest types on the whole. They go about their work skilfully and professionally, without necessarily shouting about its high quality. Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards are committed to ensuring […]
National Tree Officers Conference 2022 – Invitation to Present
We’re excited to announce the launch of the National Tree Officers Conference 2022! Building on the success of six previous events, we’re delighted that the conference is returning to its roots and will take place physically in Telford on the 9th November. This will be the first face-to-face National Tree Officers Conference in three years […]
Help shape the new National Forest for Wales
The Welsh Government’s plans to create a National Forest for Wales aims to form a connected network of woodlands throughout the country bringing social, economic and environmental benefits. An online interactive map has just been launched to understand where the public would like to see more trees planted by dropping a pin on the area. […]
Message from the Executive Director – Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor
I’m writing to let you know that after 15 years in post as Executive Director of the Institute, I feel it’s time to move on. I will be leaving the Institute at the end of June 2022. We are just about to embark on a new five-year strategy in a time of unprecedented political support […]
Woodland Creation Planning scheme in Wales opens
The Welsh Government’s new Woodland Creation Planning scheme opened today and offers grants between £1,000 and £5,000 to develop plans for woodland creation. Based on the pilot scheme in 2021, successful applications will be selected every six weeks with funding available from August. There is currently £500,000 available for claims submitted by 31 March 2023. […]
Fund4Trees welcomes new Research Coordinator
Fund for Trees (F4T), a charity promoting sustainable treescapes, has welcomed Dr Madalena Vaz-Monteiro as its new Research Coordinator. Dr Vaz-Monteiro is an urban forest scientist at Forest Research with expertise in urban forestry, horticulture, and landscape architecture. She joins F4T to liaise with those seeking research grants. By acting as a bridge between F4T, its Research Advisory Committee (RAC), […]
Institute members accompany Minister for Environment on site visit
Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment, has seen at first hand the multiple benefits of large-scale tree planting for the country’s economy and environment. Ms McAllan visited the Knowes & Keltie site near Dunning, Perthshire, where a 450 hectare (ha) site has been planted over the last two years. The site in the Ochils has made […]
CPD Survey 2021 – Results
As the professional body for the forestry sector it’s vital that we understand the development needs of our members. Continuing Professional Development is more important than ever as growing pressure is put on our sector by the dual climate and nature crisis and the ongoing skills shortage. In autumn 2021 we asked all Institute members […]
Policy Roundup – February 2022
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 the Institute brought together a group of 20 senior practitioners and leads in organisations across the sector to discuss environmental land management and agricultural transition in England. It is rare […]