Our monthly policy roundup blog updates you on what the Institute has been getting involved in and what you can get involved in too.
Institute Policy & Research
This summer, we’ve had two significant policy developments, both presenting a huge opportunity for the future of trees and woodlands, so this is where we’ve focussed our efforts.
Environmental Land Management Scheme
The Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) consultation closed on Friday 31 July. We were proud to partner with Confor, the Royal Forestry Society and the Woodland Trust to produce a joint response, on behalf of the UK forestry sector, to the ELMs proposals. You can read this response here.
As a new member of the Environmental Policy Forum, we are also pleased to have contributed to the EPF’s ELMs response. In this response, the network stressed that the Environmental Land Management scheme can be the main delivery framework for transforming all land through investment and sustainable resource management. However, it is vital that the scheme focusses on delivering a resilient and functional natural environment, that works in harmony with sustainable food production. Please read the full EPF response here.
England Tree Strategy
The England Tree Strategy consultation deadline is approaching and we have been working hard on our response to Defra. We recently ran a survey and held two workshops, featuring input from Alec Rhodes MICFor, Defra’s England Tree Strategy Project Manager, and group discussions, to inform our response to the consultation and survey. We want to thank all members that took the time to participate in either workshop or responded to our survey on the England Tree Strategy. We’re now developing our response with a small task and finish group and are working with partners across the sector to strengthen our messaging.
News
Here are some recent news articles that might be of interest to you:
- The Environmental Bill plans on setting targets – read
- Scotland’s natural economy valued at over £29 billion per annum – read
Research
Here is a selection of the latest research from across the sector and beyond:
- Land Use and Agriculture: pitfalls and precautions on the road to net zero – read
- How to plant the forests of the future – read
- Tree planting in tropical forests is aiding logging recovery 50% faster – read
- International Union of Forest Research Organizations report on non-timber forest products and bioeconomy – read
- Watch: Land Management 2.0 webinar recordings online – view
- Review of South West Forest Scheme shows problems were generally not with the initial planting design but with post planting maintenance- read
- Confor publish report ‘Biodiversity, forestry and wood’ – read
Grants and Funding
You may be eligible for the following grants and funding opportunities:
- Forestry Commission: Updates to application process and documentation for Countryside Stewardship, Woodland Creation & Tree health grants – view
- Scottish Government: Farmers and crofters are being offered £1 million in funding to diversify into forestry and help with the fight against climate change – view
- Welsh Government: £1.55m scheme announced to help plant more trees as part of the National Forest programme – view
- Forestry Commission: Third Woodland Carbon Guarantee opens for applications with £10m available – view
To contribute to next month’s roundup, or if you have any questions or comments, please contact Jemima Cooper, Senior Policy and Research Officer – jemima.cooper@charteredforesters.org.
