Aims
Our policy strategy aims to:
Speak on behalf of our members,
giving them a voice on policy issues
Raise the profile of the profession in policy
conversations and public awareness
Raise the profile of the Institute among policymakers,
influence policy decisions and ensure our work has impact
Increase understanding of the contributions forestry and arboriculture can make to the challenges that public policy seeks to solve
Priorities
Our members would like the Institute to work with key decision makers to influence policy.
Some of the Institute’s core priorities in any developing policy or workstream are:
Skills
Are there the right people with the appropriate skills and training?
Standards
Is there a question of professional standards being maintained?
Evidence base
Has the appropriate scientific evidence or expertise been sought?
Partnership working
Are there other stakeholders who should be involved (across the UK)?
Current areas of focus
- Our reps sit on groups, panels and committees across the sector, ensuring that the voice of our profession is heard where it is needed – more information
- Reps also help us engage the wider membership in policy work and improve the two-way flow of information
- We are looking for other groups we should be represented on and for members to tell us about policy developments affecting their work – get in touch
- We are working with governments and partners to address the critical skills shortage in the sector – read our position paper
- We are exploring funding options for proposals to upskill the sector across the UK and draw in new entrants
- We are embedded in the work of the skills forums
- We convened the cross-sector Forestry Agricultural Transition (FAT) group as a sounding board for Defra
- We are active on Environmental Land Management and agricultural transition groups with Defra and Forestry Commission in England – find out more
- We responded to proposals on agricultural transition in Wales – read our response
- We are actively seeking to support Scottish and Welsh Governments develop their post-CAP arrangements
- Our National Conference 2023 will be on forestry and farming.
- We welcomed the England Trees Action Plan and are committed to helping it deliver on its ambition – read our response here
- We consulted extensively with members on the developing England Tree Strategy – read our response to the ETS consultation
- We have active links with the England Tree Planting Programme across Defra and the Forestry Commission and are feeding in to various developing policy areas
- We are planning activities with a range of partners to capitalise on the energy for nature-based solutions
- Our National Conferences in 2021 and 2022 were focussed on climate resilience
- We continue to raise awareness of the crucial role trees and woodlands play for a sustainable future.
