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 existing woods into management, and the need for both strong political leadership and better communications around timber and wood products. Please help shape our response by sending your comments to our Head of Policy and Partnerships, Jemima Cooper, by Monday 5 September.
In Scotland, the Land Reform Bill is out for consultation until 22 September and we encourage members to respond. The Forestry Commission in England is also consulting, on proposals to help control and manage the UK’s increasing deer population – read the deer management strategy here.
Skills
Work on skills continues across the sector, and we are excited about the launch of the Level 6 Professional Forester degree apprenticeship next month where the Institute’s Education and Outreach Officer, Dr Rob Hawkins, will join partnership organisations and the first cohort of apprentices from the Forestry Commission’s Development Woodland Officer (DWO) programme in Cannock Chase. The two leadership programmes we are offering are open for applications, offering a great opportunity for a diverse range of candidates to develop the skills in advocacy, collaboration and resilience our sector will need.
Partnerships
The Institute’s Executive Director, Louise Simpson, has continued meetings with fellow Chief Executives including the Arboricultural Association, RSPB, Royal Forestry Society and the Small Woods Association. We have partner events planned with Defra (Seed Sourcing for Trees of the Future), the Landscape Institute and more in 2023, continuing to facilitate links across the sector and beyond to support people who work with trees and woodlands.
Sector news
- Report on the sustainable forestry carbon cycle – read
- Publication on how the Land Use Framework will support farmers and the climate – read
- Latest round of the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund opens – read
- Decarbonising the sector through timber transportation by sea – read
- Guidance on upland breeding wader surveys and woodland creation – read
- EWCO to transition into Local Nature Recovery Scheme- read
- Future Farming blog on tree planting and food production – read
- Forestry Commission E-Alert: breeding wader guidance and seed sourcing grant – read
- Forestry Commission E-Alert: sixth Woodland Carbon Guarantee Auction and blog from Defra’s trees and forestry team – read
- Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund – read
- Environmental Audit Committee calls for urgent environmental principles across government – read
- Investor interest in regenerative agriculture and forestry on the rise – read
