How can communities help make best use of Scotland’s forest and land?
How can we work with communities to make the best use of Scotland’s national forest and land? To find out, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have launched a consultation that will help set out key principles and strategic priorities that will inform their new Communities Strategy. The new strategy will sit alongside FLS’s Visitor Services […]
Institute of Chartered Foresters receives grant from the Trees Call to Action Fund
The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) has been awarded a grant from the £6 million Trees Call to Action Fund, led by Defra, the Forestry Commission and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The grant will enable the ICF to design and deliver two important projects aimed at ensuring the forestry sector is equipped to […]
Institute Executive Director joins new Green Job Delivery Group
The first meeting of the UK Government’s new group for creating green job opportunities took place on 11 May and was attended by leaders from business, industry, trade unions and academia, including the Institute’s Executive Director, Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor. With policies set out in the Energy Security Strategy and Net Zero Strategy, it is hoped that […]
New UKWAS standard for urban trees in development
A standard for the certification of ‘Trees outside Forests, particularly those in an urban environment, is being developed by PEFC UK with the support of a small working group. It will act as an appendix to the already endorsed national sustainable forest management scheme, the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS). The UKWAS has been adapted, […]
New rules for the Woodland Carbon Code
With the speedy growth of the UK’s carbon market in recent years, Scottish Forestry has announced new measures to the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) to increase scrutiny and credibility due to the demand for credits. A government-led scheme, the WCC is a high quality standard for woodland creation projects across the UK. Landowners that meet […]
What is the future of forestry regulation in England?
On Wednesday 20 April the Institute facilitated a cross-sector discussion with a range of leading organisations on proposals set out in the Nature Recovery Green Paper that potentially spell major changes to forestry regulation in England. The group discussed challenges with the process for Environmental Impact Assessments, permanency of woodland, and proposals in the paper […]
New government strategy for education increases support for green careers
Announced by the Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi on 21 April, the Department for Education has launched a new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy that includes plans to increase learning on green skills and careers for young people, with the introduction of a new Natural History GCSE. With the introduction of at least one sustainability lead […]
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 […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2022 – “Don’t be shy!”
The submission deadline for entries to Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2022 is only two weeks away. Here, Angela Douglas FICFor outlines why you should get involved… Chartered Foresters are modest types on the whole. They go about their work skilfully and professionally, without necessarily shouting about its high quality. Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards are committed to ensuring […]
Shape Institute response on biodiversity net gain
Last month, Defra opened a consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This is an approach to development that means habitats for wildlife must be left in a measurably better state than they were before the development and is mandated through the Environment Act. The way this is implemented will have a significant impact on all […]
