Institute of Chartered Foresters

Forestry, timber security & national resilience: a call to action 🌳

The UK’s latest national security assessment highlights the risks of biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse — and the urgent need for resilient, domestic forestry and timber supply.

🔗 charteredforesters.org/forestry-tim...

How can we design forests that thrive in an uncertain future?

Join Resilient Silviculture for the Future — a 6-part webinar series launching this March, exploring adaptive forest management, resilience & innovation.

🎓 Student tickets available

🔗 charteredforesters.org/event/resili...

Thinking about applying for Chartered status in 2026? PME applications close on 1 June. Join our PME workshops and webinars in March to understand the process, get expert advice and boost your confidence.

👉 Book now: charteredforesters.org/forestry-arb...

Get involved in shaping the Institute’s future 🌳

As we enters our second century, now is the time to stand for Council. Build skills, raise your profile & make a real impact.

👉 Apply by 6 March
🗳️7 seats available for Chartered & Technical members

🔗 charteredforesters.org/stand-for-ic...

We welcome Defra's grey squirrel policy statement, recognising the threat grey squirrels pose to woodlands & native red squirrels.

We stand ready to work with government, landowners & partners to secure the long-term future of red squirrels & treescapes.

charteredforesters.org/institute-re...

Applications are now open for the Professional Forester Apprenticeship 🌲

Gain paid hands-on experience, a Level 6 apprenticeship, BSc (Hons) and eligibility for Chartered Forester status.

⌛ Closes 23:55 on Sun 1 March 2026

👉 www.gov.uk/guidance/app...

National Conference 2026: Innovation for a Resilient Tomorrow

📍 ICC Wales & online
🗨️ New format with breakout sessions
📢 Expert speakers over two days
🎟️ Early bird until sell-out or 27 Feb at 15:00

Find out more & book a place: events.zoom.us/ev/AtLmAx_14...

This week ICF Executive Director Louise Simpson caught up with Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor in Edinburgh at a Woodland Trust & Scottish Tree Officers Association meeting to discuss the case for an urban tree partnership in Scotland ⬇️📽️

Connecting experience with emerging talent🌱

We’ve just launched a new mentoring programme linking early-career foresters & arboriculturists with experienced professionals.

Applications are now open for mentors and mentees.

More & apply 👉 charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/i...

News & events to celebrate #RedSquirrelAppreciationDay 2026 😊🐿️🥰 Join our #webinar at 12:00 or Pow Hill Country Park stand, #CountyDurham, at 10:00. Celebrate #Scotland reaching 250,000 #squirrel records & record sightings for All #Ireland Survey. Find out more & subscribe: mailchi.mp/0f3a5cab99a9...

We were delighted to close 2025 by recognising two members with prestigious Institute awards.

🏅Paul Nolan OBE MICFor - The Institute’s Medal

📜Stephen Campbell - The President’s Award

Congratulations to both!

Read more: charteredforesters.org/icf-recognis...

Our latest Forestry Policy & CPD Roundup is now live🌲

Featuring key forestry & land-use policy updates, CPD opportunities, and a call for member input on two consultations: biomass sustainability (by 6 Feb) and planning reform (by 20 Feb).

Read: charteredforesters.org/forestry-pol...

We’re delighted to announce Paul Brannen and Professor Peter Bonfield OBE have been awarded Honorary Fellowships, recognising their outstanding leadership in sustainable forestry, timber and climate action.

Read more: charteredforesters.org/paul-brannen...

Our first #MembersHour of 2026 is next week with Roo Campbell on beaver ecology, behaviour and living with an ecosystem engineer 🦫

Jan/Feb sessions now open on mammal damage, supply chain plastics & emerging forestry species.

Book via the Members Area: icf.cpdnow.net

Only 9 days left to apply for the Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme! 🌏

🌲 3-month paid placement
✅ £3,000 bursary
🤝 Build skills & connections as a future forestry leader

⌛ Deadline: 16 Jan 2026, 23:59

More info & apply at charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/y...

Happy New Year from the Institute!

We’re kicking off 2026 with a new six-part webinar series, Unlocking Green Finance for Forestry, with the first webinar taking place on 21 January on the fundamental principles of nature markets.

Sign up today 👇
charteredforesters.org/event/unlock...

Interested in raising your organisation’s profile in the forestry & arboriculture sector?

Sponsor or exhibit at our National Conference 2026 in May & connect with professionals online & in person.

New sponsorship packages available for 2026!

🔗View brochure: charteredforesters.org/wp-content/u...

Forestry and arboriculture education has a new digital home 🌱

We’re proud to be a founding partner of Silvestor, an online hub for training, careers & CPD.

✅ Free to join
🏅 Earn badges & certificates

Explore silvestor.org.uk

Want to host a page? Get in touch 🤝

Bookings are open for our National Conference 2026: Innovation for a Resilient Tomorrow – Reimagining Forestry & Arboriculture

🗓️19&20 May 📍ICC Wales

Explore tech, AI, silviculture and more.

Early bird tickets on sale now! Save £75 – first 125 only 👇
events.zoom.us/ev/AtLmAx_14...

It's National Tree Week marking the start of tree planting season 🌳

Our members work year-round to ensure our trees, woodlands and forests thrive, benefiting the climate, wildlife, communities and more.

Share your tree stories using #NationalTreeWeek!

Principles officially embedded in COP30 Acceleration Plan - Built by Nature The Principles for Responsible Timber Construction are now part of the COP30 Acceleration Plan, driving global action for forest-positive, low-carbon building and resilient housing.

New milestone at #COP30 in Belém🌎

The Principles for Responsible Timber Construction are now part of the COP30 Acceleration Plan, ensuring timber delivers climate benefits while protecting forests & livelihoods.

Read more ⬇️
builtbn.org/news/princip...

Applications are open for the 2025/26 Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme 🌏

🗓️3-month paid international placement (June-Aug 2026)
💰£3,000 bursary
✅Open to ICF members aged 30 or under

Applications close on 16 January 2026 👇 charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/y...

Ready to level up your ICF journey? Register for Technical Membership Entry by 1 Feb 2026 🌳

TechICFor status = professional credibility & recognition from peers, clients & stakeholders.

💡No degree required - experience & competence valued most.

Learn more: charteredforesters.org/memberships/...

It’s a busy week for the ICF 🌳

Our ED Louise Simpson is chairing Britain’s Forest Future conference in Durham today and tomorrow.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we welcome PME candidates in Edinburgh as they present for chartered status - good luck all!

Watch Louise’s update ⬇️

Are you or someone you know worthy of a Royal Society of Biology Plant Health Professional Development Award? 🌱

✅Free RSB membership for one year
✅ Free certification
✅ 15 awards available

Deadline to apply 2 December 2025

🔗https://www.rsb.org.uk/plant-health-professional-development-award.html

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII - the oak anniversary.

We’re proud to support Veterans' Oaks that invites communities to plant oak trees as living memorials honouring history while fighting climate change.

Find out more and get involved veterans-oaks.treestory.me

It’s #GreenCareersWeek 🌲

Interested in a career that supports climate, nature & communities? Forestry & arboriculture offer a range of exciting, impactful career paths.

🔗 charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/education-careers

📢 ICF Members - share your story & tag #GreenCareersWeek to inspire others

The UK Forestry Standard isn’t just for foresters 🌲

Our new UKFS for Non-Foresters course is for anyone working with trees & woodlands - from farmers to planners, ecologists to investors.

🔗Learn the principles of sustainable forestry in just one hour: silvestor.org.uk/non-forester...

We're delighted that the first graduates of the Professional Forester Apprenticeship have achieved Chartered Forester status.

Congratulations to Gareth Biggins, John Herbert & Matthew L'Estrange.

🔗https://charteredforesters.org/first-professional-forester-apprentices-awarded-chartered-status

We’ve had a fantastic few days at our Centenary National Study Tour at Windsor Great Park 🌳

Members enjoyed thought-provoking discussions, a surprise visit from Ted Green MBE and a special look at King Offa’s Oak.

Thanks to Richard Everett for hosting us and to Cheviot Trees for sponsoring.