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Policy Roundup – March 2022

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

Institute News

Several Institute staff attended the Confor dinner and awards this month which was a lovely opportunity to meet members in person.

There have also been two reports published this month that the Institute contributed to:

 

Our thanks to members who contributed to the Biodiversity Net Gain consultation – with their input and our work with partners like the Trees and Design Action Group we’re submitting a well-considered but high-level response. We have also been invited to submit written evidence to a House of Lords Select Committee on Land Use in England. There is a raft of consultations out and we will respond wherever capacity allows – next we turn to environmental targets including a session with the newly established Office for Environmental Protection to help them scrutinise the woodland targets – do get in touch if you would like to contribute.

After a positive start we have continued our work coordinating a forestry sector sounding board for Defra on agricultural transition in England, now fondly referred to as FAT (forestry agri transition). The next meeting is in early April and we look forward to playing a substantial part in Defra’s programme of co-design from now on.

Sector News

Timber markets

  • Impact of sanctions in Russia and Belarus – read
  • TTF timber market statement for the past year – read
  • Fuel cost pressures in forestry – read
  • Forest resources in Ukraine – read

 

Woodland Carbon Guarantee

  • Fifth WCG auction deadline 24 April – read
  • £10 million available for the fifth WCG auction – read 

 

Plant health

  • GB wide measures on plant health – read
  • New import and export requirements – read

 

Funding in England

  • Urban Tree Challenge Fund and Local Authority Treescapes Fund to return – read
  • Differences between UTCF and LATF – read
  • Woods into Management Forestry Innovation funds – read

 

Wales

  • New woodland creation scheme launched – read and apply
  • Interactive map launched for where you want to see more trees planted in the new National Forest – read

 

ELM in England

  • Defra Landscape Recovery webinar – watch
  • ELM outcomes from January – read

 

Scottish Government guidance for small woodland owners

  • Top 10 tips – read

 

Skills in Scotland

  • Scottish Government initiative with Lantra offering £500+ for land based courses to improve climate change skills – read
  • Apply for £500 or more for the cost of a “climate change badge” practical or technical training course through the Skillseeder platforms – read
  • Scotland’s new green workforce – read

 

Green infrastructure

  • Natural England green infrastructure map – view
  • Green Infrastructure Partnership update on infrastructure policy in England – read

 

Other

  • APPG chair skeptical about tree planting – read
  • Environmental targets and nature recovery consultations England – read
  • Research on reducing disease risks to British forests – read

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