First commercial tree nursery launched in UK prison

Forests with Impact, an award-winning, industry-led social enterprise, has officially launched at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria, setting a new standard in social and environmental impact by creating commercial tree nurseries within the UK prison system. This pioneering programme tackles two of society’s biggest challenges – supporting prisoner rehabilitation and addressing the climate emergency. The launch […]

Scotland’s Finest Woods appoints trio of trustees

The team of tree champions at Scotland’s Finest Woods has been given a big boost with the appointment of three new trustees. Alison Chisholm, a chartered landscape architect with Forestry and Land Scotland, Dr Alicja Dzieciol, an entrepreneur and chemist, and Sam Howard, a forestry lecturer at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), will join the existing […]

Institute welcomes six new Technical members

The Institute was delighted to award Technical membership status to six members who successfully undertook the TME process. The awards were granted by the authority of the Institute’s Examinations Board in October 2024. Technical membership status was awarded to: Daniel Ayrton TechICFor – Network Rail Jake Burton TechICFor – Natural Resources Wales Christopher Callaghan TechICFor […]

Have your say on community tree nurseries

“Community tree nurseries are invaluable,” says Jackie Shallcross, a project lead for Trees Outside Woodlands at The Tree Council. “They produce high-quality tree stock often growing species which are local or rare.” Run almost-entirely by volunteers, these enterprises are a focus of the Trees Outside Woodlands project, a partnership between the Department for Environment, Food […]

Read about our Environmental SIG’s Professional Development Day

In June, our Environmental Special Interest Group (SIG) held its first in-person event with two site visits hosted by Network Rail and the City of London Corporation. Gordon Pfetscher FICFor, SIG member and Head of Estate at the Woodland Trust, attended this event and has reported back on the day’s activities. Site One – Network […]

UK Government appoints new Minister for forestry

With a new Labour government now in power, Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has appointed his cabinet, including Steve Reed OBE as the Secretary of State with overall responsibility for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). On 18 July 2024, Mary Creagh (elected MP for Coventry East) was announced as Defra’s […]

Ips typographus found on UK Sitka spruce trees

The Forestry Commission has issued a warning after a number of Ips typographus findings were reported on Sitka spruce trees in the South East of England and urge woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry to remain vigilant. Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle found on Sitka spruce trees in the UK for the first time Forestry […]

Applications open for second Emerging Leader Programme

Following on from the huge success of the first widely-acclaimed Emerging Leader Programme, the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is delighted to open applications for the second round of this exciting leadership series that aims to develop the skills of both existing and aspiring leaders in our sector. Developed in partnership with Clore Social Leadership, […]

John Risby FICFor Awarded the Institute’s Medal

We are delighted to announce that John Risby FICFor has been awarded the Institute’s Medal, our highest award, for his long-standing commitment to professional excellence in forestry. The son of a forester from Argyll, John has worked for the Forestry Commission – now Scottish Forestry – throughout North Scotland, including as Forest District Manager Lochaber, […]

Trees, People and the Built Environment 5 – Post Event Tickets Now On Sale!

        Following our fantastic two-day #TPBE5 conference in April this year, we’re delighted to offer post-event access to all conference content for those who couldn’t make it at the time. Accessible through our dedicated online conference platform, Pheedloop, these post-event ticket options offer access to all eight main sessions of the conference […]