Never has there been a more important time for trees and forests to help tackle the climate emergency and provide a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. Our Prime Minister and our government are committed to creating 30,000 hectares of woodland a year across the UK, of which 7,500 ha per year are anticipated to be in England, by the end of this Parliament. This acceleration in current planting rates in England will contribute to meeting the net-zero by 2050 ambitions, and to government’s wider environmental targets. This was supported by the announcement in the 2021 budget of £640m for a new Nature for Climate Fund ‘to support natural habitats like woodland and peat’ and the publication of the England Tree Action Plan.
Forestry Commission Forest Services are the Government’s forestry experts. We advise nationally and locally on how to unlock the full potential of woodlands and support the forestry sector to protect. improve and expand England’s valuable woodland assets, ensuring that they continue to provide benefits to people, the environment and the economy.
The South West Area contains some 250,000 ha of woodland, of which 83% is owned and managed outside of the Forestry Commission’s estate. The Area is of exceptional landscape quality with a diverse array of woodlands, encompassing all or part of fourteen AONBs, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks and the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. We have internationally important ancient woodlands and very productive commercial plantations; as wellas a number of important community initiatives and valuable peri-urban woodlands.
The Area Field Team is headed by James Fry as Area Director and following a current round of recruitment to expand the team in order to meet the ambition to create 30,000ha a year of new woodland in the UK by 2025, will have a team of 56 with 3 additional embedded from national teams. The majority of the Area team previously worked from the Area office which is co-located with the SW Admin Hub and the local Forest Enterprise team, at Buller’s Hill, Haldon Forest Park, Kennford, near Exeter, however we offer a blended working arrangement.
We are currently seeking a dynamic individual, ideally with experience in forestry and/or land management. willing learn quickly and have the ability to inspire and motivate others. The Area Regulations and Incentives Support Officer role supports and assists Woodland Officers as required, throughout the SW area. The role involves engaging with woodland owners, agents, and other stakeholders to provide appropriate advice and the enforcement of Forestry and Tree Health Regulations.