Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved.
Institute news
New President and Vice President Appointed
Following our AGM on 25 April, we welcomed a new President and Vice President. Geraint Richards MVO FICFor, Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall, succeeds Sharon Durdant-Hollamby FICFor, who has completed two years in the role, as the new Institute President. Andrew Sowerby FICFor, Director at Pryor & Rickett Silviculture, succeeds Geraint in the role of Vice President. Geraint becomes President at a time where trees are firmly in the public eye, enjoying increased social, economic and political attention.
Find out more
Consultation Responses
This month we responded to the Scottish Forestry consultation, Future Grant Support for Forestry. Our response has been shaped by our members’ input, from written responses and two drop-in sessions which had around 20 of our members provide their views on this important topic. The key messages included the need for an integrated approach to delivery, that grant support should provide a foundation that is accessible to all, and the need for greater emphasis on management and restoration of existing woodlands, including deer management and control of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). You can read our full response here. The consultation could not have come at a better time, with a focus on collaborating with agriculture, the theme of this year’s National Conference.
National Conference 2023: Connecting Trees, Farmers and Foresters
Our National Conference 2023, Connecting Trees, Farmers and Foresters, saw a range of discussion between, foresters, landowners, farmers and academics debating the role trees have in farming and how we can collaborate to create multi-functional landscapes. The importance of farming culture was highlighted and considered as our speakers explored the myths behind the cultural, institutional and political issues; reinforcing that there are still ongoing challenges around land use. There is a strong political case for integrating forestry and farming on a national and international scale, but we need to consider the cultural impacts this may have on our farmed landscape. A full review of the conference will be available in the summer edition of TREES.
Environmental Policy Forum
Our work to address the skills crisis continues through our partnership with the Environmental Policy Forum on the Green Skills Survey, designed to gather insights from professional bodies across sectors – starting with EPF members (stage one). The Institute’s Head of Policy and Partnerships, Jemima Cooper, and Senior Technical Officer, Shona Smyth MICFor, are involved with this working group.
ICF Representatives & Special Interest Groups
Our ICF Representatives are key for us to share our messages and keep up to date with the wider industry. Tom Jenkins FICFor, our representative on the Tree Health Policy Group, provided an update on the OPM legislation and the new biosecurity arrangements coming into force on the 24 May. We are also considering feeding into the review of the Tree Health Resilience Strategy 2018.
Also, our Nurseries Special Interest Group was represented by Richard Parsons MICFor, who attended the Future Trees Trust Annual Supporter’s Day and presented on improved seed supply in the public sector. Keith Sacre MICFor attended the Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) event on Creating Climate Resilient Urban Treescapes and spoke around the performance gap between what we know and what we deliver on the ground.
Women in Forestry at Grizedale Forest
Our Executive Director, Louise Simpson, attended the launch of the Forestry Commission’s exhibition, ‘Women in Forestry, The Lumberjills’ Story’, at Grizedale Forest that celebrates the Lumberjills of the Second World War to the women who work in forestry today. The exhibition runs until December and further information can be found on the website.
In correlation with the exhibition, a new video was shared and features a range of women involved in the sector, including our Senior Technical Officer, Shona Smyth MICFor. This new video explores what it means to be a forester both 100 years ago and today.
Watch the video
Sector news, guidance and reports
- Understanding the biodiversity duty – read
- Valuation of woodlands article – read
- Supporting tenant farmers blog – read
- Report on reframing the Environmental Impact Assessment – read
- Scotland to trial a fleet of electric timber lorries – read
- FISA Chair to stand down ahead of next election – read
- First certified soil biodegradable tree shelter developed – read
- Farm productivity up by 42% in Wales when nature-friendly approaches are adopted – read
- Changes to Oak Processionary Moth legislation on the movement of large oak trees from 24 May – read
- Impact of the new EU Deforestation Regulations – read
- Forestry apprenticeship selected by His Majesty King Charles III to celebrate the Coronation – read
- Notice of arboriculture fatality in England – read
- Action Oak annual report – read
- Forestry Commission launches directory of forestry nurseries – read
- Creating and managing heat-resilient treescapes – read
- US study finds wildfire spread increases where woody plants like shrubs and trees replace herbaceous plants like grasses – read
- Microorganisms in soil play a key role in carbon storage – read
