New programme opens to support Forestry Works Managers achieve recognised qualifications
A new programme has launched to support forestry professionals across England to achieve a recognised qualification through an innovative experienced worker route. A trial of the programme, funded by the Forestry Commission and supported by the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA), will enable a group of experienced individuals to […]
The Scottish Forestry Trust announces improved support for PhD students
The Scottish Forestry Trust is delighted to announce an 8% increase in funding awarded to postgraduate students currently undertaking doctoral research in many of the key issues affecting forestry in the United Kingdom. In a move that mirrors the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announcement earlier in the year to increase the minimum stipend paid […]
Future Woodlands Scotland launches Forestry Skills Programme to bridge Scotland’s forestry skills gap
Scotland’s forestry workforce must grow by 72% between 2022 and 2027 to meet the country’s ambitious tree-planting targets. This skills gap presents an urgent challenge to ensure the sector is equipped with the professionals needed to meet these goals. In response, Future Woodlands Scotland has launched the Forestry Skills Programme. This two-year initiative is designed […]
Institute welcomes the Scottish Budget announcement
The recent announcement of the 2025/2026 Scottish Budget, including spending on forestry, has been welcomed but with some concern. The overall position is one of some improvement with increased funding that includes £46.9 million allocated for woodland creation, a 20% increase from the budget of £39.2 million, that followed a huge 41% cut in the […]
Draft Welsh Budget for 2025/2026 set out
The Labour government in Wales set out its draft budget on Tuesday 10 December and the Institute plans to follow its development closely. The document sets out that the administration’s Climate Change and Rural Affairs (CCRA) portfolio will see an additional £36 million in resource funding – an increase of 6.61% – and an additional […]
Funded programme launched for new entrants in the forestry sector
A new training initiative led by a partnership involving Par Equity, Aviva Investors, Scottish Woodlands and UHI Inverness provides an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to start their careers in forestry. Key highlights of the training programme include: Five-week-long comprehensive training modules covering essential forestry skills and knowledge Funding for accommodation and a stipend for […]
Policy Roundup – March 2024
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news March has been a busy month for the Institute with many staff getting out and about, engaging with our members and stakeholders. We have also launched ten events, including our Early Careers […]
Policy Roundup – January 2024
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news The Institute is delighted that Tom Jenkins FICFor has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Forestry Sector in the New Year Honours […]
Policy Roundup – December 2023
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news Emerging Leader Programme A webinar was held on 5 December, showcasing the final presentations of the Emerging Leaders from the Clore Leadership Development Programme. Three groups, as voted for by peers, presented […]
Policy Roundup – October 2023
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news On 28 September, the Institute’s Executive Director Louise Simpson attended the Trees and Trains: Growing Green Corridors conference hosted by Network Rail and the Forestry Commission. Louise joined delegates from across government […]
Call for Treescapes Research Fellows
UK Treescapes Fellowship Scheme 2023 Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Future of UK Treescapes is an interdisciplinary research programme that hopes to inform future policy, management and resilience of UK treescapes, while improve environmental, socio-economic and cultural understanding of the functions and services produced by them. Building on the nine fellows appointed […]
Network Rail invests in future of Scotland’s rainforest
An industry leading two-year pilot project to enhance natural habitats near the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct has begun. Network Rail Scotland (NRS) is committing £329,000 for Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) - the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests – to complete the most ambitious biodiversity enhancement project that Scotland’s Railway has ever […]
Policy Roundup – February 2023
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news February has whizzed by, with plenty of interesting policy news – not least the resignation of Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, where we will be eagerly observing what comes next. This month […]
Tree Health Pilot updated to support farmers
Launched in 2021 and running until 2024, Defra’s Tree Health Pilot scheme has been updated to offer support to farmers and land managers dealing with tree pest and disease issues. In the first year of the pilot scheme, there were more than 80 expressions of interest, which has allowed Defra and the Forestry Commission to improve […]
Institute interviewed about skills crisis on BBC Radio 4
Our October 2021 position paper to governments across the UK detailed our serious concerns about the skills shortage in our sector, and its knock-on effect on achieving climate targets. This week Defra released their Environment Improvement Plan (EIP), which is the first revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan that was published in 2018. In […]
Updated Environmental Land Management schemes in England
With the ongoing development of agricultural transition in England, this week Defra published more information on the three Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, including actions, payment rates and when each scheme will be available. The three schemes are: The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) that will pay farmers for sustainable practices that will protect and enhance […]
Forestry graduate research bursary opens for applications
We are pleased to support this opportunity, thanks to James Jones and Sons Ltd and the Scottish Forestry Trust, for young forestry graduates in the UK to travel to Australia to share best practice between the two sectors. Recent BSc and MSc graduates of forestry are invited to apply for this annual bursary that will […]
Policy Roundup – December 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news There has been a flurry of activity in the run-up to Christmas. Here is a brief run-down of some of our policy and engagement work over the last month. We submitted our […]
Institute announces successful ‘Emerging Leader Programme’ applicants
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce the successful applicants for their upcoming ‘Emerging Leader Programme’. Beginning in January 2023, the programme offers a fantastic opportunity for those who work and volunteer with trees to develop the skills necessary to ensure our trees, forests and woodlands are managed to effectively deliver against multiple […]
Policy Roundup – October 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news We have been delighted to welcome Shona Smyth MICFor to the Institute team as our new Senior Technical Officer. Shona will be working with Jemima on the Institute’s policy positions, as well […]
Policy Roundup – September 2022
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 a time of change at every level – within the Institute, in the sector, in the political landscape and in the monarchy. We have a new Prime Minister, a […]
Funded forestry programme launches call for woodland owners and innovators
A new three-year programme has launched to bring more woodland into active management in the North East and Yorkshire by working with woodland owners and forestry innovators. Northwoods, a programme funded by the Forestry Commission through the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds (WiMFIF) – part of the UK Government’s Nature for Climate Fund – […]
New woodland creation schemes in Wales
Farmers, foresters and landowners in Wales have been involved in the development of two new Woodland Creation Grant schemes which are now open for applications. With £2 million available for the first application window this year, and a further £30 million for the following two years, the schemes will support the transition to the Sustainable […]
Policy Roundup – August 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute news Consultations We are submitting evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry on supporting the UK timber market and reducing global deforestation. Our main points will be about decarbonisation and circular economy, bringing […]
Policy Roundup – June 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News On 14 June we met with Scotland’s Education Minister Jamie Hepburn to talk about the skills crisis and how we can resolve it. We were joined by Chief Forester Helen McKay FICFor […]
Policy Roundup – May 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News New measures in the Woodland Carbon Code(WCC) have stimulated much debate, not only since their publication but in the many months leading up to it. The Institute is represented on the Woodland […]
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 […]
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 […]
Woodland Creation Planning scheme in Wales opens
The Welsh Government’s new Woodland Creation Planning scheme opened today and offers grants between £1,000 and £5,000 to develop plans for woodland creation. Based on the pilot scheme in 2021, successful applications will be selected every six weeks with funding available from August. There is currently £500,000 available for claims submitted by 31 March 2023. […]
Policy Roundup – February 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News This month the Institute brought together a group of 20 senior practitioners and leads in organisations across the sector to discuss environmental land management and agricultural transition in England. It is rare […]
Two major forestry funds to reopen
The Forestry Commission has announced that it will reopen two major grant schemes in early 2022. Woods into Management (WiM) Forestry Innovation Funds With an increased demand for wood and increased levels of woodland management, this fund will support new and innovative ideas that will ultimately help improve the ecological condition of woodlands and their […]
Landscape Recovery scheme opens for applications
The Landscape Recovery pilot, one of Defra’s three new environmental land management schemes, has just launched its first round aimed at farmers and land managers. Designed to achieve the Prime Minister’s ambition to deliver at least 10 large-scale areas devoted to landscape and ecosystem recovery by 2024, pilot projects will focus on: recovering and restoring […]
Policy Roundup – January 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News On Monday 10 January we had a very constructive meeting with forestry minister Lord Goldsmith and the forestry policy team at Defra on skills, following our position paper in the autumn. We […]
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 […]
Policy Roundup – November 2021
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News Our Position Paper on the Forestry Skills Shortage Last month we launched a campaign on the forestry skills crisis that was covered in October’s Policy Roundup. We want to keep the momentum […]