Calendar

Forests are entering an era of unprecedented challenge and opportunity. Resilient Silviculture for the Future is a dynamic new webinar series designed for professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve in adaptive forest management. Participants will gain fresh insights into emerging silvicultural strategies, practical tools for building ecological resilience, and evidence-based approaches that respond to climate uncertainty, pests, and shifting societal expectations. Across this series, we will tackle key questions shaping the future of forestry: How can we redesign stands and systems to withstand disturbance? What does true adaptability look like in practice? Where can innovation and tradition meet to support long-term forest health? Join us to connect with leading thinkers, sharpen your skills and help shape the next generation of resilient forest management. 

This six-part webinar series will be recorded and available to watch back on the events platform for up to six months. The series may be purchased as a package or as individual webinars, with a student ticket package available. 

Resilient Silviculture for the Future is a partnership series from the Institute of Chartered Foresters, Forest Research and Silviculture Research International.

Webinar 1: Setting the Scene (3 March | 15:00 - 16:30)

Webinar 2: Risks (18 March | 13:30 - 15:00)

Webinar 3: Species, Mixtures, Diversification Pathways and Forest Development Types (1 April | 11:00 - 12:30)

Webinar 4: Upland Focus (15 April | 13:30 - 15:00)

Webinar 5: Lowland Focus (13 May | 13:30 - 15:00)

Webinar 6: Transforming Cultures, Communities of Practice (3 June | 13:30 - 15:00)

Visit to Chirk Castle, a 13th-Century Marcher castle and Estate.

Visit to RFS Pancake and Hockeridge Woods to look at recent work and consider resilience and climate change.

In 2026, the Annual Study Tour will be hosted by our Southern Division. Planning is now underway, details will be made available later in the year.

The Palm Centre. The cultivation of palms

Green finance and nature markets are becoming increasingly mainstream. As these markets develop and grow, they offer significant opportunities for the forestry sector – but also present complex challenges.

How do we navigate voluntary and compliance markets? What does ‘additionality’ mean in practice? How can we integrate green finance into projects and make sense of concepts like stacking, bundling, and emerging standards such as BSI Flex 701 and 702?

To help answer these questions, we are hosting a webinar series, developed by the Institute’s Green Finance Special Interest Group, throughout the first half of 2026. Each 90-minute session brings together leading experts and practitioners to guide you through:

• Fundamental principles of nature markets
• Specific schemes like the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code
• Project generation
• Risk management
• Technology and innovation
• What is coming next?

Join us to gain practical insights, understand the latest developments, and make the most of emerging opportunities.

This webinar series is available to book as a six-part package or as individual webinars. A bulk-buy option is available for organisations who wish to purchase a minimum of 20 tickets which must be requested to be paid via BACS transfer.

Webinar 5: Technology and Innovation (12 May | 11:00 – 12:30)

Recent technological advancements and innovative practices in the field, aiming to provide participants with insights into the latest developments and their practical applications.

Chair

Dr Eleanor Harris MICFor – Natural Capital Researcher and Developer, Galbraith

Speakers

Alex Adam – Deputy Director Strategy & Stewardship, The Rivers Trust

Peter Phillips – Head of Natural Capital Land Management Policy, Scottish Government

Andy Baker MICFor – Senior Operational Manager, Scottish Forestry

Visit to Sledmere Estate to discuss woodland management within a Wolds landscape.

Visit to Lydney Park Estate to look at conversion of estate grown timber, restocking of clear-fell sites and thinning and respacing in continuous cover systems.

Messengermire and Dodds Wood, Keswick. Kindly hosted by Forestry England, we will look at Beech thinning and Birch and Oak nest planting also pruning and thinning and CCF management on steep ground.

Lowley Woods - Tree Aid and Whitemoor Farm - Charles Lacey. AM: Evolving CCF of various hardwoods and conifers. PM: Squirrel damage, deer fencing and eucalyptus planting to replace ash.

Tutor: Dr Andy Moffat, Research Fellow at Forest Research - A return of this popular course, an introduction to forest soils, which combines classroom theory and outdoor practical sessions.

This is a joint meeting with ICF. We'll consider proactive spruce felling and restocking, deer control, rhododendron removal and utilising timber on the estate. The day will be spent looking at land management as part of this multi-use working estate, including maintaining species rich grassland, orchard and wider farm management. Lunch will be provided and the numbers for RFS members will be strictly limited to 25.

Green finance and nature markets are becoming increasingly mainstream. As these markets develop and grow, they offer significant opportunities for the forestry sector – but also present complex challenges.

How do we navigate voluntary and compliance markets? What does ‘additionality’ mean in practice? How can we integrate green finance into projects and make sense of concepts like stacking, bundling, and emerging standards such as BSI Flex 701 and 702?

To help answer these questions, we are hosting a webinar series, developed by the Institute’s Green Finance Special Interest Group, throughout the first half of 2026. Each 90-minute session brings together leading experts and practitioners to guide you through:

• Fundamental principles of nature markets
• Specific schemes like the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code
• Project generation
• Risk management
• Technology and innovation
• What is coming next?

Join us to gain practical insights, understand the latest developments, and make the most of emerging opportunities.

This webinar series is available to book as a six-part package or as individual webinars. A bulk-buy option is available for organisations who wish to purchase a minimum of 20 tickets which must be requested to be paid via BACS transfer.

Webinar 6: Horizon Scanning (9 June | 13:30 – 15:00)

What is coming next? How will nature markets grow and change and how will this affect forestry in the UK?

Chair

David Bole FICFor – Head of Sector Capacity & Green Economy, Forestry Commission

Speakers

TBA

Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle. Hosted by DAERA Forest Services, we'll look at the amenity and recreational aspect as well as planning, harvesting and regeneration on CCF and deer management.

Visit to Great Thorndean Wood, near Warninglid, to look at restoring ancient ghyll woodland and managing broadleaf plantations.

Visit to Bradley Wood to look at management of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW).

Ladock and Arrallas Wood - Duchy of Cornwall (Truro). Multi-purpose commercial forestry, restocking and diversifying following removal of diseased larch.

The Coppice Co-op and Gait Barrows NNR, Milnthorpe. We will look at coppice restoration and management, products and traditional crafts.

David McCulloch, Head of CarbonStore and Alex MacKinnon, Carbon Project Manager, CarbonStore - bring you a comprehensive guide to every aspect associated with securing carbon funding through the Woodland Carbon Code.