Farmers to be rewarded for their role in woodland creation
Since leaving the EU, the government has introduced three new environmental land management schemes that farmers can get involved in and can be rewarded for participating in. The Local Nature Recovery scheme, Landscape Recovery scheme and Sustainable Farming Incentive will be critical in halting the decline in species by 2030, bringing up to 60% of England’s […]
Policy Roundup – December 2021
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News It has been another challenging year, from COVID-19 to Storm Arwen, with not a single dull moment in the world of tree policy. In the 2020 Membership Survey, our members’ top priority […]
New controls to stop the spread of bark beetle tree pest
After the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, was discovered earlier this year in Kent following routing plant health surveillance, additional measures have been introduced to prevent the spread in Kent and East Sussex. Building on existing restrictions in the area, a new notice will come into force on Wednesday 22 December that includes the […]
Research shows benefits of woodlands for mental health
In a new study published by Forest Research, the link between mental health and woodlands has been explored. The pandemic proved the importance of local access to trees, woods, forests and other natural environments to maintain well being. This study found that the estimated value of woodlands on mental health in the UK was £185 million, […]
Storm Arwen threatens red squirrel habitats
Woodlands across the UK have experienced significant damage over the last week due to storm Arwen. The Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST), a national charity for red squirrel conservation and protection, have voiced concerns over the devastation of the rare mammal’s habitat. David Bliss, Trustee of the RSST, and CEO of Cumbria’s Lowther Trust, said: […]
FISA Storm Arwen guidance
Following the recent damage inflicted on trees and woodlands across the UK by Storm Arwen, the Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) have recently issued guidance on how to safely manage windblow and its aftermath: FISA recognise that Storm Arwen has produced a myriad of new areas of storm damaged trees, windblow, potentially weakened standing and […]
Phytophthora pluvialis found in Scotland
After it was first discovered in the UK in 2021 in South East England on western hemlock and Douglas fir, the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora pluvialis has more recently been found in Cumbria in England and now near Loch Carron in Scotland. The symptoms include needle cast (where needles turn brown and fall off), shoot dieback, and […]
New Environment Act passed into law
According to Defra, the UK’s new environmental legislation leads the way on a global level, aiming to improve air and water quality, tackle waste, increase recycling, halt the decline of species, and improve our natural environment. Specifically, the Environment Act will deliver: Long-term targets to improve air quality, biodiversity, water, and waste reduction and resource […]
Secretary of State for Skills responds to Institute position paper
Our position paper on the serious skills shortage in our sector has received another response from the UK Government. Alex Burghart MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills, from the Department for Education has replied in writing to the Institute’s Executive Director, Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor, detailing the department’s ongoing efforts and investment in […]
Forestry Minister responds to Institute’s skills position paper
In early October, we sent this position paper to Ministers across the UK detailing our serious concerns about the skills shortage in our sector, which we believe puts climate targets at risk. The paper cited projected workforce shortages, a crisis in further and higher education, lack of awareness of careers with trees – essentially, a […]
