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Policy Roundup – July 2022

Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved.

Institute news

Launch of leadership programme

Funded by the Trees Call to Action Fund and in partnership with Clore Social Leadership, this month we were delighted to announce the launch of the Discover Programme and the Emerging Leader Programme, aimed at developing the skills of both existing and aspiring leaders in our sector. Participants will develop the necessary skills to ensure our trees, forests and woodlands are managed to effectively deliver against multiple objectives. We are holding a free webinar on 4 August to explore the key features of both programmes.

Find out more

 

Louise Simpson starts new role as Executive Director

The Institute continues its central involvement in the Green Jobs agenda. Louise Simpson, Executive Director, joined the Green Jobs Delivery Group and chaired sessions at Defra’s Nature Skills Roundtable, part of the green jobs agenda. These groups are explicit in having direct practical application to support sector skills and deliver on government’s environmental ambitions.

In her new role Louise Simpson has been busy building the team within the Institute and meeting with external stakeholders. This included the Royal Welsh Show in record-breaking heat, talking to members, hearing from Confor’s panel on tree planting and getting to know fellow Chief Executives like Claire Pillman at Natural Resources Wales (Claire will be speaking at our National Study Tour in October). Louise has met with Stuart Goodall at Confor, Sally Hayns at CIEEM, Richard Stanford CB MBE at the Forestry Commission with the President and Vice President, as well as with Defra directors, and is soon to confirm a date with John Parker MICFor at the Arboricultural Association.

 

Institute promotes Jemima Cooper as Head of Policy and Partnerships

Jemima Cooper is now Head of Policy and Partnerships with oversight of the Institute’s events programme and education and outreach work, in addition to policy. This includes work on sector skills and apprenticeships, where Dr Rob Hawkins is working hard on the culmination of three years’ work on the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in England. The apprenticeship is just getting Ministerial sign-off, despite turbulent times in Westminster, in advance of the first cohort starting this year. Fifteen of these apprentices will be employed by Forestry Commission as Development Woodland Officers, with others at Tilhill, National Trust and Woodland Trust, all due to be enrolled at the University of Cumbria. This new venture is a vital new step to boosting sector capacity and the Institute will be supporting it in whatever way we can. For more on the forestry skills crisis read our position paper, or get in touch.

 

Sector news

Skills and careers

  • Tilhill sustainable forestry skills training programme – read
  • TIAH research on diversity in the agriculture and horticulture sectors – read

 

Climate change & sustainable forestry 

  • Key messages from UKCCC progress report to Parliament – read
  • Foresight Sustainable Forestry fund – read

 

England

  • Sustainable Farming Incentive opens for applications – read
  • Nature based solutions: habitat creation grant – read
  • England’s nature recovery network – read
  • Forestry Commission grants and regulations update (21 July) – read
  • Forestry Commission seeking input on new interim guidance on trees and peat – read

 

Scotland

  • Scottish Forestry success story – read
  • Scottish Forestry strategy implementation plan (the Institute is on the stakeholder group) – read
  • Proposals for land reform – read

 

Northern Ireland

  • DAERA Forest Expansion Scheme & Small Woodland Grant Schemes open until end August – read

 

Wales

  • Wales new woodland creation planning scheme – read
  • Sustainable farming scheme proposals (nothing final, but the basis of co-design) – read

 

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