Despite the ongoing challenges of the global pandemic, the Institute has had another remarkable year. We have picked out some of this year’s highlights:
122
new members joined in 2021
1960
members and growing
42
applications for chartered status
Embracing the digital space
We continued to support members’ Continuous Professional Development through online learning opportunities. Our #MembersHour series has sustained its popularity, with a session twice a month and no plans to stop.
The Institute team developed and ran three large online conferences in 2021; Trees, People and the Built Environment 4, Climate Smart Forestry 21 and the National Tree Officers Conference.
We also partnered with the Forestry Commission to hold an online UKFS training series, with over 600 delegates registered, that will continue into 2022.
Moving these events online has allowed us to reach more members than ever. Access the Members’ Area for recordings of a range of our events.
Expert speakers from 13 countries
115+ hours of online CPD on the Members’ Area
Over 2000 delegates
A strong voice for the sector
In the last membership survey, our members told us they would like us to do more work with key decision makers to influence policy.
We are pleased to now have a section on our website dedicated to our policy work, which is regularly updated. Our Policy Manager also produces a monthly Policy Roundup with news from the Institute and from across sector.
10
consultation responses submitted this year to influence UK-wide policy
24
sector groups we are represented on where we get our voice heard
Can’t see the skills for the trees – critical shortages in forestry workforce skills put climate targets at risk
In October, we published a position paper on the serious skills shortage in our sector citing the projected workforce shortages, a crisis in further and higher education and the lack of awareness of careers with trees.
We stressed the urgent need for action and offered solutions to address the issues that will enable our sector to deliver on the associated net zero targets. This paper was sent to ministers across the UK and we are pleased to have received engagement from all four governments.
The paper also received strong engagement on social media and support from members calling for urgent action.
New website launched
We launched our new website in April 2021, thanks to the work of Edinburgh-based design agency, 39steps.
refreshed events calendar
website visitors up by 8%
easy-to-access jobs board
Strong engagement on Twitter
Tweets viewed over 625k+ times
Over 7,800 followers
Tagged in over 1,500 tweets
2022 is going to be another busy year for the Institute and we are looking forward to providing more opportunities for face-to-face meetings, the launch of our next Strategic Plan and introducing vocational routes to membership.