Welcome to this month's E-news.
WHAT'S NEW: In response to Member feedback, we'll include news on Tenders in Developments, Grants & Opportunities.
Please forward your copy to your colleagues and encourage them to sign up for their own copy on the ICF website. View archived issues of E-news on the ICF website under Publications and Services and send your views on ICF E-news to Allison Lock.
And do use the ICF Members' Area Discussion Forum to exchange views with fellow members or alternatively email ICF.
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ICF News | General News | Developments, Grants & Opportunities
Consultations | Events & Training
| | | | ICF News | Meet the ICF staff
...at Longleat
Allison Lock, Communications & Events Manager and Scott McKellar, Marketing Officer will be manning the ICF display in the Association Marquee at the South West Woodlands Show on 11 September at the Longleat Estate. If you are attending the show, come and say hello.
...at the Arboricultural Association conference
Also seek out Shireen Chambers MICFor, ICF's Executive Director and Scott, if you are attending this conference in Exeter on 21-23 September. They will be promoting ICF's Chartered Arboriculturist designation.
If you can lend a hand for an hour or so at either event, please contact Scott on 0131 240 1425.
 Bookings closing for the ICF National Study Tour
Silviculture in a Changing Climate: Practical adaptations of forest management to climate change
Huntly/Clashindarroch Forest, Aberdeenshire, 24-25 September.
Contact Allison Lock re availability or visit the ICF website.
Sponsored by: Forestry Commission Scotland, Forestry Journal
ICF student needs your help
Rebecca Sarll is researching how much potential there is for sustainably attaining food from woodlands that are currently used to provide timber, fuel, recreation or benefits for nature. She is keen to hear from anyone who can help with her research including members with experience or knowledge of producing food as a bi-product from forestry. Email Becki
Vacancies
Visit the Members' Area of the ICF website for following job vacancies:
Forest Manager, Gwynedd, closing date: 18 September
Timber Buyer, Scottish Borders, closing date: 30 September
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| | General News |
GLA hounds forestry consultant
ICF has been informed that a leading forestry consultant based in Scotland, is under investigation by the GLA as being a "labour supplier". He has stressed to the GLA that, as a consultant, he may recommend to clients which contractors they might engage but he does not employ them nor pay their invoices and therefore has no influence over the terms and conditions of "workers". However, despite this, the GLA are adamant that he is breaking the law under section 4(6) of the Act which if proved will have serious implications for many of our consultant members.
Please let us know if you are also being investigated by the GLA or if you have heard of other consultants in this situation. The full letter sent to ICF is available in the Members' Area library but you can read it here.
 Massive survey probes Britain's forest secrets
Forestry Commission surveyors are working on the most comprehensive record of information about Britain's woods and forests ever compiled. They will visit 15,000 woodland sites across England, Scotland and Wales over five years and their results will be fed into the next National Forest Inventory. Read More
Future forestry is plastic
Researchers from Aberdeen working on the FUTUREforest project are looking at the concept of plastic forestry. Forest plasticity is defined as its flexibility and ability to alter its structure under changing conditions whilst still maintaining its function and could be a possible best practice for the future. Read More
 Tiny parasites fight big bugs in Wales
The Forestry Commission's Welsh Silvicultural Operations unit is using in billions of ematodes - tiny invertebrate parasites - to fight the deadly large pine weevil (hylobius abietis). The micro-bugs can reduce the damage to conifer plantations by up to 40 per cent, are cost effective and reduce the FC's chemical use. Read More
Resource helps protection of historical sites in woodlands
New guidance, Historic Environment Information & Advice for Woodland Managers in Scotland, has been published to ensure that owners of Scotland's woods and forests conserve the historic environment found within them including historic buildings and archaeological sites. Read More
Small Woods opens information source
The new Woodland Initiatives Network is an open source information system accessed via the Small Woods Association website which will be developed over the next few months. Register Now
BBC's Scottish planting site search
As part of its "Tree O'Clock" world record-breaking tree-planting initiative planned for 5 December, the BBC's Breathing Places is currently trying to identify a site in Scotland to plant 20,000 trees in one hour. Read More
UPM secures landmark certification agreement
UPM and certification company SGS have finalised a global landmark agreement in which the origin of all UPM pulp and paper products will be ensured with a single, global system. The multi-site certification will ensure that 100 per cent of fibre used for UPMs pulp and paper products is from forests that are managed responsibly.
 Floating pier cuts Highland logging truck runs
A new floating pier being used in the North West Highlands will help divert the hauling of around 60,000 tonnes of timber off the Ratagan Pass, a single track road, and away from the small west highland village of Glenelg.
It was developed by Scottish Woodlands Ltd, JST Services and the regions' timber industry. Read More
Woodland Trust launches advice scheme
The Woodland Trust Scotland (WTS) has developed MOREwoods, a simple scheme to help landowners create native woodland with advice and practical help from WTS with minimal paperwork and no bureaucracy. Read MoreTree prices shoot up
Tree prices have gone up in price by 105 per cent in 17 years with most of the rises coming over the past two years, because of the reduction in production in the UK.
The recent rise is also because of the falling price of the pound meaning fewer British buyers are buying Dutch trees, said growers. Source: Horticultural Week 04/09/09
 RFS give kids virtual woodland
The Royal Forestry Society has developed a multi-level interactive virtual woodland as a teaching resource for primary school teachers and their pupils. The Pancake Woodland Challenge is available in the Discovery Zone on the RFS website. Read More
SFA start smoking in forest
Scottish Forest Alliance researchers have launched a new "smoking gun" method of measuring woodland health and development. It involves measuring the evidence of activity of individual insects or insect populations on a known unit of woodland habitat and calculating an index of diversity for that unit. Changes in this index reflect how the woodland has developed. Read More
New director at Westonbirt
Simon Toomer has been appointed as the new director of The National Arboretum at Westonbirt. He has worked at the Forestry Commission arboretum for the last ten years, most recently as its curator.
South West England competition for keen snappers
Regen South West is seeking images that capture sustainable energy solutions in the region and the human elements that encapsulate them. Entrants could win £1,000 and a South West Green Energy Award. Enter by: 25 September. Email Henry Bardolf-Smith for details.
 Commonwealth chief backs forest restoration for climate change
"The self-destructive mindset that can attach a greater value to a dead forest than a live one has to be defeated if efforts to combat climate change are to succeed", commented Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, who will speak at the opening of the Commonwealth Forestry Conference in Edinburgh next year.
The submission of papers on successful restoration case studies is currently invited. Read More
Support for Scotland's timber engineering students
Edinburgh Napier University and Forestry Commission Scotland have teamed up to train a new generation of timber engineers to lead Scotland's construction industry towards a sustainable, carbon lean future. The Civil & Timber Engineering BSc course is unique in the UK. Read More
Fungus find phenomenal
A new type of "tooth fungus" has been found in The New Forest near Lyndhurst but it already has an uncertain future. It belongs to the group of stipitate hydnoid fungi which are in a rapid and worrying decline across the UK. Read More
Free Trees in Europe
The European Commission is giving away 5000 trees to young Europeans in the "Click a Tree" initiative which aims to combat climate change. Read More
 Access cash for Scotland's woodlands
Scottish Government funding of over £1 million will be used to open up better access to woodlands under the "Woods In and Around Towns" Initiative and "Forests for People" funds. Read More
Another tallest tree
A Douglas fir on the Lake Vyrnwy Estate, managed by Forestry Commission Wales, has matched the height of the tallest tree in the UK. It shares the joint record with another Douglas fir near Dunas Castle, Argyll. Read More
Forest Research driven by new engine
Forest Research has a new search engine on its website and would like feedback from users as to whether they notice an improvement. Email David Georgiou
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| | Developments, Grants & Opportunities |  EPS detailed guidance published
New Forestry Commission Scotland Guidance Notes 35a-d supplement the general guidance issued on amendments to the Conservation Regulations 1994 for the four European Protected Species (EPS) which may be affected by forestry operations in Scotland, ie bats, wildcat, otter and great crested newt. FCS intends to organise a seminar next year to raise awareness of EPS and to discuss how well these notes meet the needs of users. Email Allison Lock to register interest and/or Read More Picture: Forestry Commission
Invitation to tender
Two vegetation maintenance contracts in community woodlands within Thames Chase (south west Essex) - Forestry Commission England. Deadline: 8 September. Read More
Urban & Rural Grass Cutting; Highway Weed killing; Supply of Spring and Summer Bedding Plants - Guildford Borough Council. Deadline:11 September. Read More
Management and administration of the London Tree and Woodland Grant Scheme. Forestry Commission England. Deadline: 14 September. Read More
Deer fencing replacement (approx 3000 metres) at Lael Forest near Ullapool - Forestry Commission Scotland. Deadline: 24 September. Read More
Government tenders
Supply2.gov.uk is the only official government small value contract (typically under £100,000) website created specifically for small businesses. You can register for free and select the areas of forestry or arboricultural work that you are interested in receiving information on. Read More
Scottish Rural Development Plan (SRDP) updates
SRDP changes and announcements over the last month include:
- Three items added to the eligible Capital Item list under the "Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) - Woodland Habitats and Species"
- Forestry Commission Scotland now has delegated authority for woodland creation, sustainable forest management and WIGs under Contracts/Rural Priorities.
- Forestry proposals will now be assessed on an ongoing basis although there are some restrictions.
- SRDP is using Twitter to broadcast updates on SRDP and Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services and there's an RSS feed for the Rural Priorities guidance update pages.
Read SRDP What's New
 FCS grants' updates
Latest updates to FC Scotland Grants and Licences include: New Woodland Creation grant rates approved by the EC; Red Squirrels Technical Guidance and support; Environmental Impact Assessment Guidance updated. Read More
Open design competition
Westonbirt Heritage Partnership requires a consultant to undertake the design work involved in creating one or more unique high vantage points that provide a new perspective over the special heritage landscape. A two stage competitive election process is being undertaken. Express interest by 28 September. Read More
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| | Consultations | Biocidal product regulations
The Health and Safety Executive invites current duty holders to comment via an online questionnaire on the proposed changes to the Biocidal Product Regulations 2001. These include: Keeping biocides on the market after 14 May 2010; Updating references in the 2001 Regulations; and Adjusting the 2001 Regulations. Ends: 23 November. Read More
FSC audit
As part of their audit process, the Forest Stewardship Council invites comments on either Forestry Commission England or Fountain Forestry with regards to compliance with the FSC standards or the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme and the performance of Control Union Certifications or SGS Qualifor as certification bodies. Email Simon Armstrong MICFor in confidence.
The FSC 2009 full Market Survey is available online until 19 October 2009. Read More
 Flood risk and spacial planning
Communities and Local Government have opened a consultation on proposed amendments to Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk and in particular to clarifications to some aspects of the existing national spatial planning policy on development and flood risk. Respond by 3 November. Read More
Defra gets social
Defra is seeking to tighten up the government's timber procurement policy by consulting on the inclusion of social criteria in public sector contract requirements. Respond by 21 October. Read More
Consultation still open
The Public Forest Estate in England consultation ends 28 September. Read More .
As part of the above, a short questionnaire is available online and at Forestry Commission England (FCE) visitor centres asking people to list the top five things they would like FCE to do in the future. Also ends 28 September
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| | Events & Training |
Last minute places on NATO courses
 National Association of Tree Officers workshop places, price £198, available at:
Understanding Tree Diseases and their Diagnosis - 9 Sept, Bristol (Ref:0905);
CAVAT: Using Tree Valuation as an Asset Management Tool - 30 Sept, London (Ref:0906);
Tree Hazard and Risk Assessment - 13 Oct, London (Ref:0907). Read More
Flora and Food!
Flora locale willpresent a seminar on Food, farming and conservation led by Simon Fairlie (rural sustainability commentator and author of Can Britain feed itself!) on 20 October at Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Read MoreSRPBA employer seminars
The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association is holding three seminars to cover a range of employer issues including: PAYE and NI for seasonal and casual staff , working time and travel regulations, and statutory redundancy pay and retirement. Locations St Boswells (28 Sept), Castle Douglas (30 Sept) and Inverurie (7 Oct) from 5.45-8.0pm. Email Nancy Bernklow
 21st Century coppice conference in Cumbria
The Coppice Association North West conference, "The First Cut", 15-16 October at Westmorland Agricultural Society Showground, Kendall, is for anyone who has practical involvement with coppice, greenwood and related matters. Read More
Presentations
Scottish Renewables has launched a season ticket of six interchangeable delegate passes for its October to January conference programme which will cover Heat, Bioenergy, Marine Energy, Offshore Wind, Planning and Grid. Email Mark Ruskell or phone 0771 784 2508.
Open door day at Defra
Defra's Science Advisory Council has an open meeting on 14 October at London Zoo to show how the Council works and the scientific challenges Defra and the Government face. Defra Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Bob Watson will present on the UK National Ecosystem Assessment and the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan. Read More
Stalking feature added to BASC fair
New to next year's BASC Gamekeepers' Fair, is Stalking 2010 - a deer stalking and management village dedicated to everything you need for stalking or need to know about deer. The Gamekeepers' Fair is on 17-18 April 2010, Catton Park, Derbyshire. Read More
SEPTEMBER
9 Biomass for Business free seminar - Hamilton Racepark, South Lanarkshire. More
9 FEG Conference: Engineering Energy from Forest Lands - 9.30am - 5.00pm, Newton Rigg Campus, University of Cumbria. More
9 Understanding Tree Diseases and their Diagnosis (NATO/TRA, Ref:0905) - Bristol. More
10 Forest Health Day - Pests & Diseases - Marywell, Aberdeenshire. More
11 South West Woodlands Show 2009 - Longleat Estate, Wiltshire. More
14-16 From Woodland to Workshop: A Woodland Heritage event - Herefordshire. More
16 Mid-Scotland Forest Industries Cluster Meeting - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Gateway Centre, Balloch. More
16-18 Forests and Landscapes: International Conference- Besancon, France. More
17-18 SNH Conference: The Changing Nature of Scotland - Perth Concert Hall, Perthshire. More
20-23 Arboricultural Association: Amenity Arboriculture Conference - University of Exeter, Devon. More
22-23 Quantified Tree Risk Assessment workshop - Merrist Wood College, Surrey. More
23-24 EFORWOOD Conference: Shape your Sustainability Tools - Uppsala, Sweden. More
23 Tree Council Seed Gathering Season (until 23 Oct) - Various events and locations. More
24 Practitioners Guide to Visual Tree Assessment - Merrist Wood College, Surrey. More
24-25 ICF National Study Tour- Huntly/Clashindarroch Forest. More
25 ICF Wales Regional Group Autumn Field Visit: Grey Squirrel & Deer Control- Dingestow Estate, Monmouthshire. More
26 Arboricultural Association Scottish Branch meeting: Social Inclusion - Blair Castle. More
29 CCFG Scientific Meeting: Understanding daylight in the context of continuous cover forestry - Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire. More
30 CAVAT as an assessment management tool (Ref: 0906) - London. More
30 Green Networks: Potential for Central Scotland - The Vu, Bathgate. More
30 Plants to the Rescue: Mental and psychological supporters in the recession - Society for Chemical Industry, London. More
OCTOBER
1 Opportunities and barriers to woodfuel system approaches - Wadhurst, East Sussex. More
1 Forest Health Day - Pests & Diseases - Mansfield Estates, Perth. More
2 Forest Research: Scots Pine Timber Quality in North Scotland; resource availability and market potential - Horizon Scotland, The Enterprise Park, Forres, Moray. More
2 Forest Health Day - Pests & Diseases - Newton Stewart area, Galloway. More
2 Scots pine timber quality in North Scotland: resource availability and market potential - Horizon Scotland, The Enterprise Park, Forres, Moray. More
8 Forest Health Day - Pests and Diseases:South Scotland - Newton Stewart area, Galloway. More
For more CPD events check the ICF website
For details of your local Royal Forestry Society events visit: RFS website
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