Welcome to this month's E-news. If you have any feedback about E-news please email Finlay MacDonald.
Please forward your E-news to your colleagues and encourage them to sign up for their own copy on the ICF website. Don't forget that you can view archived issues of E-news on the ICF website under Publications and Services.
As always, please do use the ICF Members' Area Discussion Forum to exchange views with fellow members or alternatively email ICF.
| shortcut to sections - click on headings below:
ICF News | General News | Developments
Consultations | Events & Training
| | | | ICF News |  New ICF President and Vice-President
Bill MacDonald FICFor, formerly Vice President, was elected President of the Institute at the recent AGM in Cardiff. Bill is Market Development Advisor at the Forestry Commission Wales. Joining Bill on the ICF Council is the new Vice President, Fenning Welstead FICFor, a partner at John Clegg & Co in Edinburgh. Read More
ICF Conference
The ICF Conference, 'Timber, Mutton or Fuel?' was attended by over 130 delegates over two days in Cardiff 22-23 April. The conference opened with a keynote speech by Elin Jones, Minister for Rural Affairs in the Welsh Assembly Government which was followed by presentations by speakers from a wide range of backgrounds debating the economics of land use and forestry. The presentations of the speakers are now available on the website and the proceedings will be available shortly. Read More
 Silvicultural Prize winner accepts award
Professor Jens Peter Skovsgaard (pictured right with former President Richard Ogilvy FICFor) from the University of Copenhagen attended the ICF Annual Awards Dinner in Cardiff to accept the 2008 Silvicultural Prize of the Institute of Chartered Foresters on behalf of himself and his co-author J.K. Vanclay for their paper entitled "Forest site productivity: a review of the evolution of dendrometric concepts for even-aged stands" published in Forestry, Volume 81(1):13-31. Two President's Awards for meritorious service to the Institute were also presented to Forestry editors Gary Kerr FICFor and Helen McKay FICFor. Read More
ICF National Study Tour dates announced
Make sure you keep Thursday24 (from 6.30pm) and Friday 25 September free for this year's Study Tour. It will be based in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, close to the Clashindarroch Forest - the focus of our tour. The theme is "Practical adaptation of forest management to climate change". Topics covered are on the website. Forestry Journal is once again our media partner and offers additional promotional opportunities for your company. For more details email Allison Lock or call on 0131 240 1425
Vacancies
Visit the Members' Area of the ICF website for following job vacancies:
Forest Manager - Inverness, Scotland
Operations Forester - Carluke, Scotland - £24,731 plus benefits
| Back to top
| | General News |  UK's experience can help world restore forests, says ICF Fellow
Lessons learned in restoring some of the UK's long-lost forest cover over the past 100 years are being used to restore lost and degraded forests around the world. Referring to the continuing rapid loss of forests in some countries and the widespread concern about the greenhouse gas emissions it causes, Tim Rollinson FICFor, Director-General of the Forestry Commission (pictured left), said many countries are now in the same position that the UK was at in 1919. Read More
Benn warned of threat to UK woods
Secretary of State Hilary Benn was warned of potential danger to UK woods, as the European Parliament approved substantive amendments to draft legislation. ConFor, along with the Timber Trade Federation, WWF and a range of environmental non-governmental organisations, met with the Mr Benn and Environment Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, on the same day that MEPs voted through over 70 amendments to a draft regulation intended to restrict the importation of illegal timber into the EU. Read More
New study warns that forests are at risk of becoming net sources of carbon
The first ever compiled global assessment report on "Adaptation of Forests and People to Climate Change" was published at the the United Nations Forum on Forests, 22 April at the UN Headquarters, New York City. The report is the first product of the Global Forest Expert Panels of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and presents the state-of-knowledge about the impacts of climate change on forests and people and options for adaptation. Download the report
 Hamish MacLeod appointed Forestry Commissioner
Hamish MacLeod, from Dumfries in southern Scotland, has been appointed as a Forestry Commissioner for Scotland for an initial term of three years from April 2009. He will also serve on the Forestry Commission's National Committee for Scotland. He replaces Martin Gale CBE, whose term of office has expired. Dr Olutayo Adebowale, a Forestry Commissioner for England, has been reappointed for a second three-year term of office. Read More
Stump harvesting guidance published
The Forestry Commission's Forest Research agency has published guidance intended to help the forestry industry maintain long-term sustainability and avoid negative environmental impacts when selecting sites for stump harvesting. Read More
Woodland Trust to plant a million trees across the UK
Through its "Plant a Tree" project, The Woodland Trust is to plant around a million trees on five sites across the UK to protect the "UK's equivalent of the rainforest". The project is looking for donations to help fund the planting of trees that will act as a buffer to protect ancient woodlands. Read More
 Safe haven plan for red squirrels
Over 100,000 ha of Scottish forest could soon be set aside as safe havens for red squirrels. Plans have been announced for 18 "strongholds" providing ideal conditions for the red variety. Older conifers preferred by reds would be retained with favourite food sources for rival greys - such as oak, beech, chestnut and hazel trees - restricted. Greys venturing into the safe havens would be trapped under the Forestry Commission Scotland initiative. Read More
 A new meaning to "logging off"
Horses are increasingly being used rather than machines to log land as traditional forestry skills make a comeback. Ten years ago, it would have been rare to have seen anyone working the woods with horses, but it is becoming more and more common as landowners and foresters learn to appreciate its benefits. Read More
Forest Research spring update presentations available
Following the recent "Spring Update" held at the Northern Research Station, near Edinburgh, Forest Research have made the presentations available. Read MoreSupport for threatened species
Three threatened species are to be given additional support in Scotland's forests in a bid to sustain the country's rich biodiversity. Juniper and pearl-bordered fritillary and chequered skipper butterflies will benefit from Forestry Commission Scotland conservation efforts as set out in three species action notes published in April. The new action notes complete the set of six that was launched last year with the publication of equivalent programmes for capercaillie, black grouse and red squirrels. Read More
| Back to top
| | Developments | EWGS now open for Woodland Creation and Woodland Regeneration Grant applications
England Woodland Grant Scheme are now accepting Woodland Regeneration Grant applications with claim years 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 and will commit regional funds on a first come first served basis. They are also accepting Woodland Creation Grant applications. There are funds still available for planting and claiming in 2009/2010 in most regions, but the main funding available is for 2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. Visit their website for revised national guidance and forms or contact your local Forestry Commission office.
Costs arising from TPO appeals
There is now a right to claim for costs arising from any Tree Preservation Order appeal. Section 322 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 came into full force on 6 April 2009. This introduces a right for appellants and local planning authorities to claim for costs on appeals. As a result, it has been necessary to revise the content of the Addendum to Tree Preservation Orders - A Guide to the Law and Good Practice (the Blue Book) to cover the issue of costs arising from TPO appeals. To view a new version of the Appendum click here.
Forestry Commission Scotland strengthens support for business development
People, communities and companies looking to establish or develop forestry sector businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of support from Forestry Commission Scotland. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead has highlighted the Commission's renewed commitment to enterprise, as outlined in its new strategy document 'Supporting Business Development.' Read More
Forestry offsets head back to the future
Forestry offsets may have been much maligned in the past, but acording to EcoSecurities Lisa Ashford, they could have an increasingly important role to play in emission reduction. When eco-chic can mean anything from carbon-neutral car insurance to sustainably sourced coffee, where do trees fit into the current hotlist of green trends? Read More
 I could......become a forester
A new website called icould.com is an online resource created to help and inspire young people standing on the threshold of the world of work. It has a talking library with personal stories, told to camera, in their own words, by people of all ages in all sorts of occupations including some from forestry. If you are an employer in forestry and you want to showcase you employees visit their website.
New publication moves debate on forestry peststicides forward
A new publication, Forest Vegetation Management in Europe, provides valuable information about the use of pesticides across Europe. Co-edited by Ian Willoughby from Forest Research, the publication synthesises the work of forest practitioners and scientists from 19 European countries who worked on an EU-funded Co-operation Science & Technology programme. Read More
| Back to top
| | Consultations | UKWAS consultation
UKWAS has announced details of the consultation process together with a timetable for the next revision of the UK Woodland Assurance Standard 2009-11. They are looking for your ideas on what is good or bad about the current UKWAS standard and how it might be improved. There is no formal format required, simply read the background information on their website and then email your issues, identifying and explaining each issue and any suggested solution for each to the UKWAS Support Unit by 30 June 2009.
Public asked for views on administering the CAP Single Payment Scheme
Farmers, land owners, and the public will be able to have their say on how Common Agricultural Policy money could be managed more effectively. A consultation on changes to the eligibility rules for the Single Payment Scheme was launched by Farming Minister Jane Kennedy and will run for twelve weeks until 22 July. Read More
| Back to top
| | Events & Training |
Health and Safety Executive aims to cut forestry accidents in the North East
Forestry workers across North East England are being invited to a free special event at Dalby Forest Visitor Centre on Tuesday, 12 May 2009 in a bid to help cut the rate of fatal and major accidents in the industry. Read More
Last places up for grabs for Nature Exchange funded trips
Arch Network, the Scottish Non Governmental Organisation promoting learning and development in natural and cultural heritage between Scotland and other European countries, has a few places left on this year's "Nature Exchange" programmes. Read More
All Energy 09
The Austrian Trade Commission is encouraging representatives in Scotland and North England from forestry and associated forest industries to visit Austrian companies that will be exhibiting at the All Energy Exhibition and Conference in Aberdeen 20-21 May. Austria is one of the countries at the forefront of renewable energy technologies, including biomass boilers. Visit the All Energy website for more details.
Wildfire 2009
With climate change predictions indicating a greater threat to the UK the 4th UK national wildfire conference is increasingly important. Wildfire 2009, takes place on 16-17 of June 2009 at the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, the New Forest, Hampshire. Read More
New bat training course dates
The Bat Conservation Trust will be running its Arboriculture and Bats: a Guide for Practitioners on the following dates: 11 May, Perthshire; 8 June, Dorset; 3 August, Glamorgan; 29 September, North Yorkshire; 26 October, Worcestershire; 23 November, Cambridgeshire. Visit their website or phone 020 7501 3638 for details.
Cranborne Chase Woodfair
The second Cranborne Chase Woodfair aims to attract the very best in local woodland business. The two day event on the 10-11 October at Rushmore Estate on the Dorset/Hampshire/Wiltshire borders last year attracted over 6,300 visitors. Visit the website for information and booking forms.
Revised date for Hylobius Management Support System training
Forest Research training to help foresters predict and reduce damage and costs due to large pine weevil in upland spruce and pine plantations has previoulsy been publicised as 29 April 2009. It is actually taking place on 29 July 2009 at Keilder Forest, England. Read More
MAY
12-15 World Mountain Bike Conference on Sustainability 2009- Dumfries. More
13 Understanding Tree Diseases and their Diagnosis (Ref:0902) - London. More
13 Hard Surfaces and Trees (Ref:0903)- London. More
14 ICF South East Regional Group Meeting on Continuous Cover Forestry - Hadlow Down, East Sussex. More
16 Small Woods Association meeting - Rawhaw Wood, nr Kettering, Northants. More
18-22 Royal Forestry Society - Whole Society Meeting - North Wales. More
18-22 Ligna - Woodworking and wood insdustries trade show - Hannover, Germany. More
19 Arboricultural Association seminar: Visual Tree Assessment Management - Dunkeld. More
20-21 All Energy Exhibition and Conference - Aberdeen. More
21 Trees & Design training course - Trees in historic landscapes - Kew Gardens. More
21 Wessex Silvicultural Group Meeting - PAWS - Leigh Wood, near Bristol. More
21 ICF Midlands Regional Group meeting on Short Rotation Forestry and Veteran Tree Management - Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton, Notts. More
22 ICF Wales Regional Group Summer Field Meeting - Henfaes Research Centre, Bangor University. More
30 Small Woods Association meeting- Gorfenletch Woodland, Morpeth, Northumberland. More
31-3 RSFS Spring Meeting: Castle County - Donside, Aberdeenshire - Monymusk Estate, Near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. More
JUNE
8 Norwegian Wood Conference - Craiglockhart campus, Edinburgh Napier University. More
10 ICF North England Regional Group Meeting - Kielder Forest and Hexham. More
16-17 Wildfire 2009 Conference - The New Forest, Hampshire. More
For details of all Royal Forestry Society events visit: RFS website | Back to top
|
|
