Forestry Commission Update

December 13, 2022 Off By Wild Anglia
Forestry Commission Area Update: East & East Midlands, December 2022 Funding updates and news  Woods for Nature update  News, articles, and resources: New Meet the Farmers podcast featuring Chatsworth Assistant Forester. Training and events  Job opportunities    Funding information and news Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) will open for applications in 2023  It has been announced that the Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) and the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) will reopen for new applications early in 2023, with some significant improvements to the funds based on stakeholder feedback. Now in their third and fifth rounds respectively, the reopening of both funds will see trees planted in rural areas (for LATF), as well as in towns and cities nationwide. It represents another step forward in the Government’s drive to treble tree planting rates across England by the end of this Parliament.   In previous rounds, both funds had application windows, but from early 2023 they will now be open year-round to relieve pressure for applicants. In addition to this there have also been individual changes made to the funds.  Find out everything you need to know before applying in our latest blog, or read more on the LATF and UTCF webpages. Big Nature Impact Fund – announced at COP27 Last month at COP27 it was announced that Defra’s £30 million investment in the new Big Nature Impact Fund will look to accelerate nature recovery across England, and will:  attract significant private sector finance to deliver nature-based projects that strengthen our natural environment and boost the economy  create new green jobs and secure existing ones  support agriculture by restoring soils and reducing nutrient loss, essential for sustainable agriculture and food security  Read more about what the Environment Secretary announced at COP27 in the press release ‘Environment Secretary calls for action to protect and restore nature at COP27’  and follow the eAlert for more on the Big Nature Impact Fund as it is announced.  Latest round of Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund has opened  The funding allows facilitators, for example local farming and nature groups and charities, to give advice and share knowledge with groups of farmers and other land managers on activities such as restoring habitats for wildlife and improving biodiversity, creating woodland, improving air and water quality, or restoring historic environments.   The application window opened on 7 November and will close 25 January 2023. Find out more in the press release ‘Government fund to support collaboration in farming communities opens’.  Don’t miss an update!  To keep up to date with the latest grant information, make sure you have signed up for our Grants and Regulations e-alerts.  Woods for Nature     Follow our #WoodsForNature campaign to discover how creating new woodlands, and connecting existing ones, can boost biodiversity to benefit nature and people. Follow and share from @ForestryComm      Trees on farms: success stories for nature and people  Eleanor Marks, Technical Officer at LEAF (Linking Farming and Environment), joins us for a guest blog where they highlight how farmers are incorporating trees on their farms to benefit business, wildlife, community relationships, and climate change resilience. Read the full blog onlineRight tree, right place, for the right reasons  The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) sets out criteria and guidance for the sustainable management of forests and woodlands in the UK. Our new infographic highlights the seven key factors that you need to consider before planning your woodland. Visit our blog for more information.    News, articles, and resources We’ve teamed up with Ben Eagle for a ‘Meet the Farmers’ podcast exclusive    We’ve teamed up with rural affairs journalist and podcaster Ben Eagle to produce a podcast series about trees on farms and suggest how farmers can make the most of the opportunities available. Over three episodes on the Meet the Farmers Podcast, Ben and Jon Burgess, a Local Partnership Advisor and Woodland Resilience Officer with the Forestry Commission, meet foresters and farmers to explore those opportunities and ask what more can be done to help farmers make the most from the trees on their land. The first episode will be available on 5 December. Meet the Farmers is available to download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most other podcast channels. 
 
Ep1: released 5 Dec – ‘Woodland and wildlife’
Jon and Ben are joined by Clive Thomas, Senior Advisor in Regenerative Forestry at the Soil Association, to discuss how to boost biodiversity on farms and how farmers can make the most of trees on their land.
 
Ep2: released 7 Dec – ‘Making Money from Trees’
Jon and Ben are joined by Devon forester Sam Whatmore, and Jemima Letts, Assistant Forester at Chatsworth Estate, to discuss their enterprises and highlight opportunities for making money from trees on farms.
 
Ep3: released Fri 9 Dec – ‘Agroforestry and trees in regenerative farming systems’
Jon and Ben are joined by David Brass from The Lakes Free Range Egg Company in Cumbria, and Devon farmer, Andy Gray, to discuss the concept of agroforestry and how integrating trees into agricultural systems can benefit an entire farm business, as well as animal welfare and environmental resilience.   ‘Tis the season for tree planting  Winter is fast approaching and with it comes the tree planting season. It’s acknowledged as the best time to plant trees as it allows time for the roots to establish as they will keep growing through the milder winter days. Even though the top of the tree is dormant in winter, root growth is crucial for the trees survival if we suffer a spring drought.  If you’re a woodland owner, it can also be the perfect time to get outside and check how your woodland has fared over the growing season. Read our tips for the best management practices to carry out in winterProtect Improve Expand Sustain (PIES)  The PIES project supports landowners across England who want to care for their land to enhance its environmental condition and deliver goods and services for the benefit of everyone. Those taking part in the project will receive subsidised support, including one-to-one advice, plus ongoing online support and technical services.  The application process is now open to eligible landowners and managers across England. You can find out more and apply at sylva.org.uk/pies The following news, resources, and blogs are available:  How we’re working to improve the England Woodland Creation Offer application process (Forestry Commission blog)  Funding boost for country’s woodlands and timber industry (Press release, GOV.UK) Forestry Commission Chair calls for change in approach to tree planting as last year’s winter storm damage revealed (Press release, GOV.UK) Funding for tree planting projects to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth announced (Press release, GOV.UK) Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds: 2022 successful applicants (Forestry Commission blog)  Tree Production Innovation Fund: 2022 successful applicants (Forestry Commission blog)  Want to help protect our trees? Find out what you can do with simple biosecurity (Forestry Commission blog)    Training and events Woodland creation workshop at Aveland Trees – 22 February Join the Forestry Commission and local nursery man Hugh Dorrington at Aveland Trees in Dunsby, to find out how trees can help your farm business grow.                                  Book now   Broughton Hall Case Study: Planting trees as part of a major nature recovery programme – 11 January 2023  Woodland creation is part of a major nature recovery programme currently taking place at Broughton Hall in Yorkshire. Approximately one-third of the Hall’s less productive land is being developed to support biodiversity whilst the most suitable, fertile lands are retained for more traditional farming. 

The webinar will be presented by Professor Alastair Driver who will discuss the approach taken at Broughton Hall and the role of woodland, including objective setting, design, management – along with the challenges and key learnings along the way. The webinar will comprise a 20 – 25-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute question and answer session.   Book now   Business Development Advisor (Woodland Creation) East and East Midlands If you’re passionate about the role forestry can play in creating a better future for England, have a sound understanding of land management and/or agriculture, and want to play your part, we want to hear from you.  As part of the promotion and engagement project, this role will develop a pipeline of woodland proposals through identifying how woodland creation and management can meet landowners’ and managers’ objectives. You will also work closely with a broad range of customers and stakeholders.  Apply before 11.55pm on Wednesday 14 December    If you’re interested in working at the Forestry Commission, make sure to check our latest job vacancies on Civil Service Jobs.  
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