eAlert: 25 January 2023
Published 25 January 2023
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2023
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1. Development Woodland Officer programme
Apply now for the 2023 Development Woodland Officer programme
The application window for our 2023 Development Woodland Officer programme is now open. The Forestry Commission is looking for 15 people who want to kick start their career in forestry.
Open to school leavers, graduates or anyone looking for a change in career direction, the Development Woodland Officer programme offers applicants the opportunity to study the Professional Forester Apprenticeship at the National School of Forestry. The apprenticeship is a three-year, paid development opportunity for passionate individuals. It is the first-of-its-kind apprenticeship initiative to foster a growing, highly skilled and diverse workforce within the forestry sector.
Students will benefit from academic studies in forestry management at the University of Cumbria, practical experience in Forestry Commission area teams across England, and up to nine months of wider sector placements to further build their skills and experience, enhancing future employment prospects.
Upon completion of the programme, successful graduates will earn a Professional Forester Apprenticeship (equivalent to Level 6), a BSc (Hons) Professional Forester, and the potential to gain Chartered Forester status with the Institute of Chartered Foresters.
Visit our GOV.UK page: Apply for a Forestry Apprenticeship for more information and to find details on how to apply.
The deadline to apply is 26 February 2023.
2. Red Squirrel Action Plan
Find out about the Red Squirrel Action Plan.
Over the last 150 years, England’s red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, populations have significantly declined. This iconic species is now classed as nationally endangered. Evidence shows that the expansion of grey squirrel populations and range are the main cause of local red squirrel extinctions.
On Red Squirrel Appreciation Day, 21 January 2023, the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) launches a new action plan to help protect and enhance England’s endangered red squirrels. This will make a positive contribution to the dedicated conservation efforts already taking place and compliment the red squirrel action plan or strategies underway in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The England Red Squirrel Action Plan (ERSAP) 2023-2028 has four key aims:
- Protect, identify, and strengthen red squirrel populations across the current range
- Expand the current range of red squirrels
- Support and improve collaborative action at all levels
- Promote better understanding and support for red squirrel conservation across England
For further information please visit UK Squirrel Accord website or contact info@squirrelaccord.uk.
3. Removal of personal emails from GOV.UK
Find out about the recent changes.
We have updated our contact details Office access and opening times page on GOV.UK - if you already know your Woodland Officer please continue to use those contact details. If you are a new or returning customer and do not know who your Woodland Officer is or would like to talk to a Woodland Creation Officer, please get in touch with your Area Office or Woodland Creation Team. To help our Woodland Officers assist you please include the location (postcode or grid reference) and size of your woodland or the nature of your enquiry in your email.
4. Woods for Nature: Broughton Hall case study webinar
Watch the webinar recording.
This one-hour webinar with Professor Alastair Driver explores the major nature recovery programme taking place at Broughton Hall in Yorkshire.
Watch to find out more about overall project and woodland creation objectives, woodland design including species choice, woodland management techniques, challenges, learnings, and more, including Q&A.
5. Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Wildlife Supplements WS 1 Deer and WS 3 Squirrels requirements – webinar recording
Watch the webinar recording.
This webinar (recorded on 16 January 2023) covers the issues presented by deer and squirrel populations, and introduces the incentives developed to support their future management.
6. Winter woodland management video
Watch the video.
If you own or manage a woodland, this short video explains some of the actions you can take in winter.
7. Subscribe to the new eAlert mailing list
Subscribe now!
Early this year we will be updating the way we send our emails. This means that you’ll be able to get information tailored to your interests directly to your inbox.
To do this you will need to renew your subscription through our new email communications platform, Mailchimp, using the link below.
If you do not resubscribe we will no longer be able to send you information, news, resources, and invitations to events from the Forestry Commission.
You will continue receiving emails as usual until we complete the transition to Mailchimp. We will send another reminder before the end of the transition, however, if you do not resubscribe you will no longer receive our emails.
By resubscribing to receive our updates, you acknowledge that your information will be held by Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails.
The Forestry Commission is registered as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 2018 (Registration No: Z6542658). The Forestry Commission’s Personal Information Charter is published on our website. You have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office.