eAlert: 13 March 2023
Published 21 March 2023
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2023
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1. It’s your last chance to subscribe to our updated eAlert list
1.1 Sign up to our new mailing list by 17 March 2023.
If you have not yet subscribed to our new list and would like to continue to receive news and updates from the Forestry Commission, it’s important that you update your details by subscribing. We will stop using our current list from the 17 March 2023.
We don’t want to see you go so please head over to resubscribe now.
2. Forestry funds open to boost biodiversity and futureproof forests against pests, diseases and climate change
2.1 Find out how to apply now.
Applications for the Forestry Commission delivered
Have today (13 March) reopened to further support expansion and management of our nation’s trees and forests and futureproof them against stresses like pests, disease and climate change.
This year, almost £4 million will be allocated to successful applicants across both funds, which together boost nature regeneration efforts, promote biodiversity, and support innovative approaches to tree production, tree health, and woodland resilience through increased and improved active management of woodlands, amidst a changing climate.
2.2 Tree Production Innovation Fund
As tree planting across the country increases, the Tree Production Innovation Fund will support the development and deployment of new technologies and ways of working which will provide a diverse supply of healthy young trees. This will support Government ambitions to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament and plant 30,000 hectares of trees across the UK per year by 2025.
Applications are open now! The closing date for the Tree Production Innovation Fund is Tuesday 9 May 2023.
Apply for the Tree Production Innovation Fund
2.3 Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds
The Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds aims to bring an additional 20,000 hectares of existing woodland into active management, which will help boost biodiversity and protect against pests and diseases. The fund will also support projects which will develop new technologies and working practices to help homegrown timber production meet domestic and international demand.
This will help to bolster timber security and grow the United Kingdom’s forestry and primary wood processing sectors, which support 30,000 jobs and contribute over £2 billion to our economy every year.
Applications are open now! The closing date for the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds is Monday 15 May 2023.
Apply for the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds
2.4 Join our ‘how to apply’ webinars
Our grant managers are hosting “How to Apply” webinars to support the application process. Sign up at Eventbrite:
- Tree Production Innovation Fund: Friday 31 March - 2:00pm
- Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Fund: Monday 3 April - 2:00pm
For enquiries, please contact:
3. Woods mean business…
Jemima Cooper, Head of Policy & Partnerships at the Institute of Chartered Foresters, talks to us about the women in the tree sector, working tirelessly to plan, grow, plant, establish, manage, harvest, process, and research the timber our society needs.
Sam Whatmore, owner of Grascott Farm in Devon, introduces us to the woodland on his farm and how he has diversified his business to generate income from timber, woodfuel and forest-based recreation facilities.
4. Want to find out more about the Woodland Carbon Guarantee?
4.1 Join our pre-auction information webinar.
Join us for an information session before the seventh Woodland Carbon Guarantee auction.
Book your place on the Woodland Carbon Guarantee webinar
5. Forestry Commission Annual Claims – Farm Woodland Payments 2023
5.1 Return your claim form by Monday 15 May.
Claim forms for Farm Woodland Payments are due to be sent out week commencing 27 March 2023.
The cover letter and claim form will be sent by recorded delivery to the scheme’s main applicant, as they are the beneficiary of the funding. We will also contact the primary contact (which may be your agent) to make them aware of the annual claim and to contact their client.
The deadline for return for the 23/24 Farm Woodland Payments is Monday 15 May 2023.
Completed annual claim forms must be received by us no later than 15 May 2023 to avoid a reduction being applied to the claim. There has been a change to way reductions for late claims are applied; full details of which can be found in the covering letter sent with the claim form. Claims received after 31 August 2023 will not receive a payment this year. Payments are normally made from the beginning of December.
Please contact your designated administrative hub if you have not received your annual claim form by early April.
Bucks Horn Oak: adminhub.buckshornoak@forestrycommission.gov.uk Bullers Hill: adminhub.bullershill@forestrycommission.gov.uk