Scotland’s Finest Woods welcomes three new trustees
Scotland’s Finest Woods has strengthened its team of woodland champions with the appointment of three new trustees, bringing fresh expertise and support to the charity’s work across the country. Neil Crookston MICFor, currently Head of Estate & Programmes (Scotland) at The Woodland Trust, Sam Malpass, Director of Policy & Practice at Scottish Forestry and Michael […]
Institute awards four Fellowships
We are pleased to announce that our Professional and Educational Standards Committee has approved the promotion of four new Fellows. Jamie Gargett FICFor – Principal Arboricultural Officer, Havant Borough Council Jamie has over 20 years’ experience in arboriculture and forestry, combining practical expertise with strategic leadership across both the private and public sectors. In senior […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards celebrate the power of trees at schools and nurseries
From protecting urban woodlands to transforming storm-damaged trees into learning opportunities, this year’s Schools and Early Years winners at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2026 have been announced. Demonstrating excellence in outdoor learning, the projects gave opportunities for children and young people to learn, grow and thrive outdoors. Combining woodland learning, biodiversity action and local […]
Justin Mumford MICFor CEnv receives The Institute’s Medal
Presented at our National Conference 2026 in Newport, Justin Mumford FICFor CEnv has been awarded the Institute’s highest award, The Institute’s Medal, recognising more than 25 years of sustained professional excellence, leadership and service to forestry and arboriculture. As Director of Forestry, Arboriculture and Ecology at Nicholsons, Justin has led a respected forestry division delivering […]
Iwan Parry MICFor awarded The President’s Award
Recognising his outstanding and sustained service to the Institute over many years, Iwan Parry MICFor has been awarded The President’s Award. As long-standing Chair of the Wales Member Network, he has provided continuity, leadership and energy, strengthening member engagement and supporting the growth of the Institute’s activity in Wales. Iwan has played a central role […]
Richard Stanford CB MBE achieves Professional membership of the ICF
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce that Richard Stanford CB MBE, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, has been promoted to Professional Member status, acknowledging his significant contribution to the forestry sector and his continued dedication to advancing sustainable forestry policy and practice across the UK. Richard Stanford CB MBE joined the […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2026 – entries open!
Entries are now open for all categories of Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2026, and it has never been easier to submit a superb example of excellence in woodlands and forestry. With a new website and easy to use online entry forms it could not be simpler to have your work championed on the national stage. […]
Silvicultural Prize 2025 awarded to Gardenia Gonçalves de Oliveira
The Percy Stubbs and John Bolton King and Edward Garfitt Prize for Silviculture (Silvicultural Prize) is awarded annually for work published in the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ (ICF) prestigious journal Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research. We are delighted to announce the 2025 Silvicultural Prize has been awarded to Gardenia Gonçalves de Oliveira for the paper ‘Optimizing […]
Tom Coates MICFor announced as Professional Forester of the Year 2026
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce that Tom Coates MICFor, Area Supply Manager at James Jones & Sons, has been awarded Professional Forester of the Year 2026. Presented on 12 March at the Confor Dinner & Awards 2026, the prestigious award recognises contributions to the betterment of forestry on a community, regional, […]
Celebrating excellence: The Hugh Miller Award for Excellence
We are proud to recognise five outstanding professionals as recipients of The Hugh Miller Award for Excellence 2025. Named in honour of Professor Hugh Miller OBE FRSE FICFor (1939–2019), the award celebrates exceptional ability demonstrated through the Professional Membership Entry (PME) process. Professor Miller taught forestry at the University of Aberdeen between 1984 and 2004, […]
Shortlist announced for Professional Forester of the Year 2026
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce the three shortlisted candidates for Professional Forester of the Year 2026, the prestigious award that recognises outstanding service to the profession and the sector. This award recognises the contributions made by Chartered Arboriculturists or Chartered Foresters to the betterment of forestry on a community, regional, national […]
ICF recognises two members for outstanding service to the sector
The Institute of Chartered Foresters was delighted to close 2025 by recognising two members with prestigious awards for their exceptional contributions to forestry and the advancement of the profession. The Institute’s Medal, our highest award, was given to Paul Nolan OBE MICFor, Director of The Mersey Forest, for his outstanding contributions to forestry and community […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards returns for 2026 – are you a growing success story?
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is once again celebrating excellence in woodlands and forestry across the country, with youngsters leading the way. Entries have opened for the Schools and Early Years categories in the 2026 Awards, with a deadline of March 31. Entering is straightforward and can be done via the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards website […]
Institute welcomes newest Chartered members
We are delighted to recognise and celebrate the professionals who have successfully completed the Professional Membership Entry (PME) process in 2025. Achieving chartered status is a significant professional milestone, reflecting not only technical competence and experience, but also a strong commitment to professionalism, ethical practice and continuing development within forestry and arboriculture. The PME process […]
Celebrating excellence at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025
A school which has taken lessons on climate change out of the classroom and into the real world, and a project using trees to stop a notorious flooding problem are among the champions honoured at this year’s Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards. When you add in a project to plant free nut and fruit trees in […]
First cohort of Professional Forester Degree Apprenticeship graduate
The University of Cumbria is proud to celebrate the graduation of the first cohort from its Professional Forester Degree Apprenticeship, delivered through the National School of Forestry (NSF) in Ambleside, the largest provider of undergraduate forestry and woodland courses in England. This pioneering programme combines academic study at the university’s Ambleside campus and Forestry England’s […]
Forest learning at schools and nurseries shines at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025
The transformation of a wood near a primary school and learning in a local forest saw success in the Schools and Early Years categories at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025. Hardgate Primary School in Haugh of Urr, near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway, was the winner of the Crown Estate Scotland Schools’ Trophy. […]
Geraint Richards MVO FICFor awarded OBE in King’s Birthday Honours
Geraint Richards MVO FICFor, Head Forester to the Duchy of Cornwall and Past President of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), has been awarded an OBE for services to the Forestry Sector in The King’s Birthday Honours announced on 14 June 2025. Throughout Geraint’s tenure as President of the ICF, he has overseen the delivery […]
New chair at Scotland’s Finest Woods to champion people, passion, innovation and success
Scotland’s Finest Woods is pleased to announce that Wilma Harper MBE FICFor CEnv has been selected as its new chair. A Chartered Forester and Chartered Environmentalist, Wilma has been a trustee of Scotland’s Finest Woods since June 2017 and replaces Guy Watt FICFor who has been a Trustee since 2009 and served as chair for […]
Prestigious awards presented at ICF Centenary National Conference 2025
The Institute of Chartered Foresters’ (ICF) Centenary National Conference 2025: Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future took place in Edinburgh on 29 & 30 April, with several highly prestigious ICF awards being presented to well-deserving, long-serving members who have played vitally important roles in shaping both the Institute and the sector. The awards were presented […]
40 years of championing a key national resource – Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is marking 40 years of celebrating all that is great about the country’s woodlands and forests. The Awards celebrate the people involved across all types of Scotland’s woodlands who through their dedication make them the finest examples of a key national natural resource. The Awards started at a time when many […]
Dr Tzeng Yih Lam awarded Silvicultural Prize 2024
The Percy Stubbs and John Bolton King and Edward Garfitt Prize for Silviculture (Silvicultural Prize) is awarded annually for work published in the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ (ICF) prestigious journal Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research. We are delighted to announce the 2024 Silvicultural Prize has been awarded to Dr Tzeng Yih Lam for the paper ‘Integrating […]
ICF wins Building Industry Resilience Award at Confor Dinner & Awards 2025
The Institute of Chartered Foresters was delighted to be crowned the winner of the ‘Building Industry Resilience Award’ at the Confor Dinner & Awards 2025 for their work in delivering the wildly successful Emerging Leader Programme – an initiative aimed at helping forestry professionals build leadership potential, strengthen their networks and drive social, environmental, and […]
Professional Forester of the Year winner announced at Confor Dinner & Awards 2025
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce that Peter Wharton MICFor, Director of Wharton Natural Infrastructure Consultants, has been awarded Professional Forester of the Year 2025. Presented on 19 February at the Confor Dinner & Awards 2025, the prestigious award recognises contributions to the betterment of forestry on a community, regional, national or […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards returns for 2025
The biggest ever Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is back for 2025 with a new prize and plans for a 40th birthday celebration. The new Urban Forestry Award, sponsored by Future Woodlands Scotland is all about celebrating the projects that are turning towns and cities into greener, healthier and more sustainable places to live. Meanwhile, the […]
Chartered Foresters recognised on the Confor awards shortlist
Confor has announced the shortlisted candidates for the Confor Dinner and Awards 2025. These awards champion the efforts of inspirational individuals and organisations going above and beyond. Nominees were put forward by colleagues and peers wishing to recognise and celebrate the people and businesses making strides to improve and elevate the forestry and wood-using industry. […]
Applications now open for the RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards 2025
The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) has opened applications for its flagship Excellence in Forestry (EIF) Awards, offering £3,750 in prizes across five categories, with the Duchy of Cornwall joining as a key sponsor of the 2025 awards. The competition, widely regarded as the premier forestry awards across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, celebrates the best […]
Future Woodlands Scotland to sponsor new Urban Forestry Award at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards
Future Woodlands Scotland has been announced as sponsors of a new Urban Forestry Award at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025. The new award is all about celebrating the projects that are turning towns and cities into greener, healthier, and more sustainable places to live. With entries opening in February 2025, Future Woodlands Scotland see […]
Gareth Hopkins MICFor to receive MBE for services to forestry
The Institute is delighted that Chartered Forester Gareth Hopkins MICFor has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Forestry Sector in the New Year Honours 2025 list. Gareth was recently promoted to a Professional Member of the Institute in December 2024. As the Forestry Commission’s Apprenticeship […]
Strong roots in woodlands and forestry championed at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2024
A bumper year of entries saw excellence in all sectors, from community to forestry, conservation to farming and climate to schools. And each was showcased during a grand ceremony at the Scottish Parliament. Local groups, farmers, foresters and large estates were all recognised at the national event, held by Scotland’s Finest Woods to coincide with […]
Institute bestows Honorary Fellowship on His Majesty King Charles III
The Institute of Chartered Foresters was delighted to award His Majesty King Charles III with an Honorary Fellowship at a special private ceremony held at Highgrove House. The award was presented to The King by the Institute’s Executive Director, Louise Simpson, alongside President of the Institute, Geraint Richards MVO FICFor. A dedicated champion of the […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods appoints trio of trustees
The team of tree champions at Scotland’s Finest Woods has been given a big boost with the appointment of three new trustees. Alison Chisholm, a chartered landscape architect with Forestry and Land Scotland, Dr Alicja Dzieciol, an entrepreneur and chemist, and Sam Howard, a forestry lecturer at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), will join the existing […]
ICF Honorary Fellowship awarded to Gary Newman
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to award Gary Newman, Chief Executive of Woodknowledge Wales, with an Honorary Fellowship for his leadership in the forestry and timber industry, and support to the Institute. Gary began his career as a construction engineer, later moving into the timber sector after completing a Masters in Forest Industries […]
Institute welcomes two new Fellows
We are delighted to announce the promotion of two new Fellows of the Institute, including the youngest Fellow at just 32 years old. Professor James Pendlebury FICFor, Chief Executive of Forest Research, and Harry Wakefield FICFor, Head Forester at Holkham Estate, were awarded Fellowships in September 2024 by authority of the Institute’s Council. As Chief […]
Institute welcomes six new Technical members
The Institute was delighted to award Technical membership status to six members who successfully undertook the TME process. The awards were granted by the authority of the Institute’s Examinations Board in October 2024. Technical membership status was awarded to: Daniel Ayrton TechICFor – Network Rail Jake Burton TechICFor – Natural Resources Wales Christopher Callaghan TechICFor […]
Dr Gary Kerr FICFor awarded EFI Fellowship
In recognition of his significant contribution to the work of the European Forest Institute (EFI), Dr Gary Kerr FICFor has been awarded an EFI Fellowship which he was presented with at their Annual Conference in Bonn in September 2024. The EFI is globally recognised as a leading science-policy platform providing forest-related knowledge to build a […]