Forestry policy & CPD roundup January – March 2026
Welcome to the Institute’s policy update focusing on key developments shaping forestry and land use policy, upcoming consultations, CPD events, and opportunities for member engagement. Headline updates Forestry Commission leadership and policy tone The outgoing Forestry Commission Chair, Sir William Worsley MICFor, reflected on and reinforced three policy priorities likely to shape 2026–2030: Climate‑resilient woodland […]
National Tree Officers Conference 2026 – Call for Presentations open
Building on the success of ten previous events, we’re delighted to announce the National Tree Officers Conference will return on 4 November 2026. Proudly hosted by the Association of Tree Officers (ATO), Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), London Tree Officers Association (LTOA) and the Municipal Tree Officers’ Association (MTOA), the conference will take place in […]
Landscape Institute to welcome key speakers to Scotland housing conference
Màiri McAllan MSP (Scottish Government) and Karen Anderson (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) will join plenary sessions exploring how a landscape-led approach to housing delivery in Scotland is essential for people, place and nature. The Landscape Institute (LI) is pleased to announce the programme and speaker lineup for the Scotland edition of its National […]
National Tree Officers Conference 2025 – Call for presentations open!
Building on the success of nine previous events, we’re delighted to announce the National Tree Officers Conference will return on 5 November 2025 for its tenth anniversary! Proudly hosted by the Association of Tree Officers (ATO), Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), London Tree Officers Association (LTOA) and the Municipal Tree Officers’ Association (MTOA), the […]
Support for new e-learning programme grows as the new UKFS comes into force
A new e-learning programme designed to provide an alternative way of accessing the latest version of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) which came into effect on 1 October, has been backed by the profession’s government-run agencies. Created and developed by the Institute of Chartered Foresters with funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural […]
Leading professional institutes to gather for Trees, People and the Built Environment 5
Early Bird Tickets now available Conference at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham and Online – 23 & 24 April 2024 How can trees contribute to the quality of place for both people and nature? How can they contribute to net zero ambitions for our built and natural environments? Kevin McCloud MBE FICFor (Hon), host of Channel 4’s popular […]
Institute members discuss tree shelters at Castle Howard
The Institute’s North England Regional Group held a one-day conference on 6 July at the magnificent Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, organised by Simon Place MICFor and Jim Smith. The purpose of the day was two-fold: to discuss the prospect of establishing woodlands and trees without the use of tree shelters where possible (plastic or […]
Forest research launch new Climate Change Hub
The effects of climate change are accelerating, with increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as storms, flooding, drought and wildfire. These and other climate risks pose a significant challenge to management of our landscapes and wider society. Without action, our forests and woodlands may be unable to provide the multiple benefits they currently do, […]
CPD Survey 2021 – Results
As the professional body for the forestry sector it’s vital that we understand the development needs of our members. Continuing Professional Development is more important than ever as growing pressure is put on our sector by the dual climate and nature crisis and the ongoing skills shortage. In autumn 2021 we asked all Institute members […]
Chartered Foresters develop new online learning platform
Building on the success of previous online courses, Cumbria Woodlands has launched Canopy Learning. It is critical that organisations, woodland owners and professionals have access to current training and this platform uses a mixture of video, audio and written resources. Director of Cumbria Woodlands and Chartered Forester, Neville Elstone MICFor, said: “This is a new era […]
Forestry Journal Free for Institute Members from 2021
Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research Published by the Oxford University Press, Forestry is the Institute’s international journal and provides high quality articles and reviews on all aspects of research, practice and policy that inform and promote the sustainable management of forests and trees. There are five issues published every year, one of which […]
What is the Future for Forestry Post-Brexit?
With the Brexit transition period ending on 31 December, there are going to be certain changes that businesses and governments will have to prepare for. In light of this, we were pleased to offer three webinars in November that focussed on different areas of the industry, what changes will be needed and how the sector […]
Nearly 1000 People Enjoy #CPDSeptember
We dedicated the entire month of September 2020 to enhancing professional development and are delighted that so many members and non-members were able to benefit from #CPDSeptember. From our opening session on urban forest sustainability, to a stunning close on rewilding in Scotland, with mycorrhizal associations, pine martens and […]
Welcome to CPD September
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) allows you to excel in your field, by enhancing your knowledge and adding value through work-based activities and learning. Although this has been a difficult year for many of us, the integrity of professionals who provide robust, credible advice has never been more necessary. With this in mind, we are excited […]
Your CPD Hub
Undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential to being a professional. Lifelong learning creates a competent, innovative, forward-looking individual and as such benefits the profession as a whole. COVID-19 has changed the way in which many of us work, but in these unprecedented times the integrity of professionals who provide robust, credible advice has never […]
Claire Glaister FICFor on the Value of CPD
Claire Glaister FICFor of GR Forestry Consultancy has been a member of the Institute for almost 20 years. She has written a blog highlighting the value of CPD in light of the recent statement from PESC. In these extraordinary times, we have found new ways of working, new ways of communicating and new ways to […]
Statement on CPD Obligation
In these extraordinary times the integrity of professionals who provide robust, credible advice has never been more necessary. More and more, the Institute and its members are expected to publicly demonstrate their commitment to ongoing professional development. It is why the commitment to continuous professional development (CPD) lies at the heart of maintaining a member’s […]
We’re Taking our PME Workshop Online
We are doing all we can in these extraordinary times to support and stay connected to our members. As part of our efforts, we remain committed to supporting our Associate Members who wish to present for Professional Membership Entry (PME). Over the course of three Tuesday morning sessions in April 2020, we’ll be presenting the […]
#MembersHour
Keeping Connected We know that many of our members will now be adjusting to new and perhaps unfamiliar working practices. Here at the Institute, we realise the importance of keeping connected, from both professional and health-related perspectives. With this in mind, we’re pleased to be offering a number of initiatives to help keep our members […]
Nadina Galle Previews Her Presentation for Trees, People and the Built Environment 4
Hailing from evolutionary biology and earth sciences, Nadina now works at the nexus of cities, ecology, and technology. Ahead of Trees, People and the Built Environment 4, Nadina gives us a preview of her presentation, where she will be speaking with Sophie Nitoslawski from the University of British Columbia. #TheBigIdea and the next frontier in […]
CPD & Career Development
Sam Brown MICFor, Forest Manager at Tilhill Forestry, reflects on the impact CPD has had on his career development. Members of the Institute are asked to provide evidence of continual professional development over a rolling three-year period. This is an obligation of Professional membership but, most importantly, it’s key to maintaining, updating, and improving my […]
Programme Launched for Trees, People and the Built Environment 4
International Urban Trees Conference Programme Announced With urban forestry high on the political and social agenda, the programme for the UK’s foremost international urban trees research conference has been announced, highlighting the critical importance of creating resilient towns and cities with innovative green infrastructure solutions. Download Programme>> Almost 100 papers were submitted to the Trees, […]
Is CPD Enough?
Josh Roberts MICFor, Policy Advisor at Scottish Forestry, reports on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for the Institute of Chartered Foresters. I don’t think of the annual CPD obligation as a target to reach to stay in the Institute’s good books. And I reckon, deep down, that’s not how the Institute sees it either. My Continuing […]