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April 2010 |
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This month's ICF E-news top stories:
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| ICF News |
 Chinese forestry officials visit ICF Edinburgh HQ
ICF welcomed 17 officials from the State Forestry Administration of China in March. Led by Mr Gao Yuying, General Inspector of the Development and Funds Management Division, they learned about professionalism in UK forestry and arboriculture and the role of the ICF and its members in the international community. Left to right: ICF Council member Keith Rushforth FICFor, Mr Yuying, ICF Vice President Fenning Welstead FICFor and Executive Director Shireen Chambers MICFor.
Two new sponsors as ICF conference and dinner sell out
ICF thanks Rural Development Initiatives and Christie Elite Nurseries who have added their support to its Forests & Energy conference and dinner. As there are only a few places are left for the 28-29 April events in Newcastle, please call 0131 240 1425 to check availability. Read More
ICF to lead urban tree research conference
ICF will host a major conference on urban tree research as its national event in April 2011. It will be supported by government agencies, professional institutions and organisations including the National Association of Tree Officers. Mark Johnston FICFor will be ICF's Technical Coordinator. Please help with the conference planning by completing this short survey. Go to the survey
ICF congratulates...
Andy Greathead MICFor on his promotion to partner at Smiths Gore's Haddington office, Midlothian, where he heads up their Forestry, Woodland and Arboriculture department. Also, Derick Stickler FICFor, Chief Forester for the Crown Estate Commissioners, on his Royal Forestry Society Long Service Award for serving over 30 years at Windsor Great Park.
Development Officer vacancy reminder
There is still time to apply for ICF's Development Officer position (in partnership with the University of Cumbria). The two-year post, based in Edinburgh, will support ICF Associates and regional group activities. Read More
Vacancies
Log on to the Members' Area of the ICF website for the following job vacancies:
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| General News |
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Forestry Commissioners reappointed New Woodland Carbon Task Force  Cure for horse chestnut canker in sightEarly trials of a potential cure for horse chestnut canker, carried out by Jonathan Cocking MICFor of arboricultural consultancy JCA, have shown promising results. Conquer, made from the natural plant material Allium sativum, is injected into the tree where it works its way into the vascular system and fights the blight. Photo: courtesy Forest Research. Read More "Cinderella" warning for parks and green space  Battle for Scotland's finest woods title heats upA record thirty seven entries for the three categories of this year's Scotland's Finest Woods Awards means it will be the most hotly contested competition in its history and fittingly in its Silver Jubilee year. Prizes will be presented on 25 June at the Royal Highland Show. Pictured right: Staff from one of last year's winners, Strone Oakwoods
Forestry Commission closes Cambridge office
On 6 April all business was transferred from the FC Cambridge Office to their Bristol Office: Forestry Commission England, 620 Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1EJ.
Carbon trading prospects boosted
A new study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that carbon stocks in forests were lost at a rate of 500Mt/year in the past decade. Preventing this loss could be worth over $5 billion, based on current carbon prices and, with the prospect of forestry projects being awarded tradeable credits in the emerging carbon markets, the future for forestry investments looks attractive. The Forestry, Biomass & Sustainability conference (13-14 May, London) will explore this.
 National Forest newsThe National Forest has published online a variety of research documents and has a project in the pipeline with Forest Research into climate change and tree provenance, a survey of breeding birds, grey squirrels and ecological surveys. It is also looking for partnership opportunities to work on further research. Read More ConFor helps win battle for NI forest owners
ConFor successfully lobbied against a proposal to charge forest owners for a felling licence in Northern Ireland. The proposal was contained in a draft Forestry Bill that also included provisions for compulsory purchase of land and the establishment of a new forestry advisory body. Read More New publication from TDAG
The Canopy, from the Trees and Design Action Group, will be launched this Spring. It aims to persuade developers, designers and planners of the need for large canopy trees in the urban environment. It will provide an accessible source of information from TDAG's 2008 document No Trees No Future.
Olympic Park legacy threatened by funding shortfall
Up to £450 could still be needed to ensure that the Olympic Park is transformed for long-term public use after the 2012 games. Although £350m was earmarked for the transformation phase - including infrastructure and landscape - from the £9.3bn Olympic project, that will now be required for planning purposes. Read More
Sudden Oak death hits Cornwall An outbreak of Phytophthora kernoviae has been identified in Cornwall. The Food & Environment Research Agency said the pathogen had been detected on a bilberry. Two further outbreaks have been reported in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Read More
 Trees and the election trailThe Woodland Trust has launched a Growing the Future six-point manifesto in a bid to ensure the UK's native woods and trees take firm root in the general election debate. It calls on all political parties to adopt a target of doubling UK native tree cover over the next 50 years. Read More Meanwhile, twenty-three MPs have backed the Early Day Motion on the Great British Elm to support the Conservation Foundation's drive to restore elm trees to the British landscape. Read More Desperately needing...
The Wyre Community Land Trust need volunteers to help restore traditional orchards and hay meadows around the Forest, as part of the Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme. Details from Mark Cleaver. Woodland Heritage seeks forestry students, graduates or volunteers to join their website review and development group. Email Lewis Scott. Harriet Wood, a mature student on the FdSc Forestry programme at the National School of Forestry in Cumbria, needs a student placement for the academic year 2010/11. Email Harriet for a copy of her CV. Certification news
Scottish Woodlands has added PEFC Forest Management Certification capability for those forests in its Group and Resource Manager Schemes in the United Kingdom. Elsewhere, the Forestry Commission has adopted dual certification for the management of its 750,000 ha of forests and woodland in Great Britain. Read More
 Mammals report criticised
The Red Squirrel Survival Trust questioned the 'The State of Britain's Mammals report published by the People's Trust for Endangered Species which recommends that certain invasive species have become so well established in Britain they should be reclassified as native. Picture: Forestry Commission. Read More
New science and innovation strategy
The Forestry Commission has launched its Science & Innovation Strategy (SIS) for British Forestry for the years 2010 to 2013. The new document refreshes and updates the first SIS, which was published in 2005. Read More
UK Government first to publish department plans on tackling climate challenges
The UK Government has become the first in the world to publish plans that will set out how every major department will address the challenge of climate change in the UK. The Carbon Reduction Delivery and Adaptation Plans detail each department's commitment to minimise the damage of climate change. Read More
Scottish forestry strategically important for international investors The International Forestry Fund - a joint venture between Dublin based IFS Asset Managers Ltd and Swiss asset managers Helvetia Wealth AG - has taken an important step into the Scottish forestry market. They purchased the Rashiehill and Shielknowes Forest in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, for an undisclosed sum. Read More
 Race on to plant 3.7 million trees by handForest workers from Canada are taking the chilly English weather in their stride to help the Forestry Commission meet its target of planting over 3.7 million trees by hand in over 73,000 ha in the North East of England by May.
The annual replanting programme is underway although recent ice and snow has slowed progress. Read More  Companies launch new arboriculture awardsBarcham Trees has launched a new award, to be presented annually to a Local Authority for outstanding urban forest management. Email Keith Sacre MICFor for details.
While Alice Cowan is the inaugural winner of the Lockhart Garratt Masters Award, as the top student completing Myerscough College's MSc degree in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. Alice is pictured receiving the award from Bryan Clary (Lockhart Garratt, left) and Dr Mark Johnston FICFor (Myerscough College, right) .
Tree Council agrees it's unlucky for some
As The Tree Council launches its thirteenth annual Tree Care Campaign, the year will certainly be unlucky for many roadside trees thanks to the coldest winter for 31 years and the return of salt damage. Read More
New England policy on converting woodland to open habitats
Defra and FC England have announced a new policy that will increase important wildlife habitats and recognises the important role of trees in storing carbon and providing other benefits. Read More
 Warmer weather brings out ticksTick Prevention Week couldn't be more timely as the weather warms up and brings out ticks. Organised by BADA-UK, it runs from 12-18 April and aims to raise awareness of how to avoid bites. Read More Reading Matters Tree Work News, from the Health and Safety Executive, contains important items related to the forestry and arboriculture sectors including chainsaw kickback advice. Read Now
Also worth reading, the technical manual felling advice following a fatality. Read Now
Following Chestnut Footprints - Cultivation and Culture, Folklore and History, Traditions and Uses describes the uses of Chestnut in 27 countries around the world. It contains a chapter by Karen Russell MICFor giving an overview of Chestnut in the UK. Edited by D Avanzato, pp175, ISBN 9789066056329 Growing Places - the Forest Research Social and Economic Group Spring newsletter now out. Download Safety Alert relating to the use of Chain Flail/Non Standard Accessories on Brush Cutters, issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Read More
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| Developments, Grants & Opportunities |
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Smallwoods seeks business partner Wales reviews woodland grant schemes
Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) has embarked on a major review into how its woodland grants are managed in future. The Better Woodlands for Wales grant scheme currently provides support for sustainable woodland management but FCW is exploring the possibility of transferring the full range of its grant support across all woodland, new or existing, to the Welsh Assembly Government's Department for Rural Affairs. Read More
 New grant scheme to help North West's woodland birds
The Forestry Commission has launched a new grant to encourage landowners in North West England to help reverse the decline of the region's woodland birds. Financial support through the English Woodland Grant Scheme will help them improve the habitat for 18 vulnerable species, including the Redstart and the Pied Flycatcher. Read More
LandSkills West Midlands
This is a skills programme managed by Lantra Sector Skills Council on behalf of Advantage West Midlands and funded by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). The aim of the programme is to raise investment in skills and training within agricultural, horticultural and forestry businesses for the RDPE priority areas of livestock, food and drink and environmental technologies. Read More
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| Consultations |
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Planning policy and forestry |
| Events & Training |
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Don't forget to book for Edinburgh Commonwealth Forestry Conference Update your skills with flexible online CPD courses  CCFG/Pro Silva to visit Romania
The Continuous Cover Forestry Group has arranged a short study visit to Romania from 10-15 July to look at the way the Romanians manage their forests under CCF conditions. The tour is based on Timisoara, in the west of the country and will take in the Semenic and Carpathian mountains. Read More
Combating Climate Change
Wales focuses on Combating Climate Change - A Role for UK Forests at this event in Llandrindod Wells on 18 May. Presentations from Forest Research scientists on the Read Report. Read More
Ignite West Midlands courses to diary
Ignite Woodfuel Production and Supply on 25-27th May; Managing Woodlands for Woodfuel on 8 June; Woodfuel Quality Standards on 9 June. Read More
National Forest Wood fair gets bigger and better
This year's National Forest Wood Fair will be held at Beacon Hill Country Park, Leicestershire, on Bank Holiday, Monday 30 August. Last year it attracted 5,500 visitors. Exhibitor bookings are now being taken. Read More
Last change to book for Edinburgh wood quality control conference
A conference on the future of quality control for wood and wood products will be held at Edinburgh Napier University from 4-7 May. The presentations of most direct relevance to the forest and timber industries are on Wednesday 5th May. Read More Flora Locale Training Programme 2010
Conference discount for ICF members Landscape conference in Sheffield
The End of Tradition: Aspects of Commons & Cultural Severance in the Landscape conference will be at Sheffield Hallam University from15-17 September. Historical, cultural, ecological and agricultural points of view will be explored including their relevance to sustainability, biodiversity and climate change. Read More Diary the Arb Association Show
The Arb Show runs from 11-12 June at the Bathurst Estate, Cirencester. Around 80 trade stands are expected and demonstrations and competitions are planned, Over 2,000 visitors attended last year. Read More
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Full steam ahead for UK forestry show