Correspondence

eAlert: 6 April 2022 -

Published 12 May 2022

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. England Woodland Creation Offer Application Form top tips

1.1 Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing some advice on how you should complete the EWCO Application Form so that we have all the information we need to process your application.

Tip 3: Check whether you need an Agent Authority Form

If your EWCO application involves an agent acting on behalf of the lead applicant, you must give your permission by submitting a Forestry Commission Agent Authority Form (V4) alongside your application documents. As of January 2022 we cannot accept V3 for new EWCO applications.

You can sign this form electronically using a link which we will send you on request or with an original handwritten signature in ink:

• If you wish to sign electronically please complete the form without a signature and date, and email it to aafes@forestrycommission.gov.uk
• If you have signed the form by hand, please send your completed and signed form to EWCO@forestrycommission.gov.uk

If you are finding these top tips useful then please come along to our webinar to hear more on how to submit a great EWCO application!

Join us on Tuesday 26 April 2022 from 1:00pm

Join the EWCO tips webinar.

2. Change to EWCO - NfC Social GIS Targeting and Scoring layer

2.1 Find out if this change will impact your application.

The Geographical Information Systems (GIS) layer used for targeting woodland creation and scoring applications for the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) for social benefits has changed. This affects the eligibility of applications for the two social Additional Contributions (ACs): close to settlements and public access.

Applications received before 16 May 2022 which were eligible for these ACs before the layer changed will remain eligible for them. From 16 May 2022, only schemes that fall within the published layer will be eligible.

The EWCO - NfC Social layer can be viewed on the Forestry Commission’s Map Browser.

3. Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier - submit your applications

3.1 If you have received your application pack - submit by midnight on 29 April 2022.

Don’t miss the application deadline of midnight on 29 April 2022, submit your application and accompanying documents back to the RPA.

4. Apply now for our Development Woodland Officer programme

4.1 A first-of-its-kind apprenticeship initiative to foster a growing, highly skilled and more diverse workforce within the forestry sector is now open for applications.

The Development Woodland Officer programme offers a three-year, paid development opportunity for passionate individuals looking to kickstart their careers in forestry. Jointly led by the Forestry Commission, the University of Cumbria and the Institute of Chartered Foresters, the programme marks the first time that a degree-level forestry apprenticeship has been offered in the UK.

Development Woodland Officers will benefit from academic studies in forestry management at the University of Cumbria, practical experience in Forestry Commission area teams across England, and 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) in Forest Management and the potential to gain Chartered Forester status with the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Find out if you are eligible and how to apply on our GOV.UK page: Apply for a Forestry Apprenticeship. The deadline for applications is 8 May 2022.

For more information, read our latest blog: Forestry Commission launches ground-breaking apprenticeship programme for the forestry sector, the press release, or get in touch by email: DWOenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Apply for a Forestry Apprenticeship

5. James Cup winners: Forest Resilience. Part 2. Practical considerations

5.1 We are proud to be the winners of the James Cup for best original article in the Quarterly Journal of Forestry - awarded by the Royal Forestry Society.

Co-authored by Eleanor Tew, Rob Coventry, Emily Fensom and Chris Sorensen (a collaboration between the forest resilience teams of the Forestry Commission and Forestry England).

The winning article explores key considerations for increasing forest resilience and gives practical advice, including a comprehensive list of further resources. It also featured two case studies from the nation’s forests about how resilience is being increased following tree disease – Sherwood (Central District) and Thetford Forest (East District).

You can read the article and some of the judges comments in the Royal Forestry Society’s news item.

6. Tree Production Capital Grant

6.1 Funding support to increase the quantity, quality, diversity and biosecurity of tree, seed and sapling supply.

The Forestry Commission will open a new Tree Production Capital Grant this Spring. The Tree Production Capital Grant (TPCG) will provide funding to increase the domestic production of tree seed and saplings, supporting investments in expansion, automation and mechanisation of facilities and equipment. This will help improve not only the quantity but also the quality, diversity, and biosecurity of supply.

The TPCG is designed to help seed and sapling suppliers of all sizes, from established nurseries to smaller nurseries and new entrants looking to diversify into the sector. Any public, private, or third sector organisation who will use the funding to support their production of tree seed or saplings is encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be able to apply for up to 50% of the costs for capital projects and equipment such as: intelligent transplanting systems; polytunnel infrastructure and equipment; irrigation systems and infrastructure; seed trays; grading machines; biosecurity investments such as water treatment and refrigeration equipment.

The grant will enable suppliers to bolster production at pace and has been designed to complement the innovation outputs of the Tree Production Innovation Fund, which provides support for research projects that will enhance UK tree production methods.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be UK-based and will need to demonstrate how the grant will be used to increase English tree seed or sapling supply.

For more information, please contact tpcg@forestrycommission.gov.uk or read our latest blog: Introducing the new Tree Production Capital Grant.

7. Would you like to volunteer for a ‘Mapathon’?

7.1 Hundreds have already volunteered to help undertake a tree canopy cover assessment

On 9 April 2022 Forest Research along with other partners will be holding a ‘mapathon’ in which hundreds of volunteers will undertake online tree canopy cover assessments of urban council wards across the UK. The aim is to complete the first ever UK-wide map of urban tree cover at council ward level (further project details are available).

On the day: there are two sessions - one at 10:00am and one at 2:00pm. You can join either or both. Forest Research and Woodland Trust staff will give an introduction to the project in both sessions and will be on hand throughout the day to help people undertaking canopy cover assessments. No specialist knowledge required.

Please register to volunteer for the mapathon.

8. Farming Innovation Programme: Two New Competitions Launched

8.1 Apply for a share of £20.5 million funding through the Farming Innovation Programme.

The Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) opened the two competitions on 30 March 2022.

The two new competitions are:

• The Farming Futures Research and Development Fund – Climate Smart Farming
• Large Research and Development Partnership Projects

The Farming Futures Research and Development Fund focuses on further delivering food security through funding large-scale, ambitious and transformative projects that focus on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions or help the sector adapt to climate change. To apply you need to submit a short expression of interest between now and the 18 May 2022.

The Large Research and Development Partnership Projects provide funding to drive forwards large-scale research, development and demonstration of solutions to substantially improve the productivity and environmental sustainability of England’s agricultural and horticultural sectors. Projects must focus on demonstration and knowledge exchange to enable the commercialisation and adoption of new solutions. The application window closes on the 29 June 2022.

Please note that projects under these funds must have a food security focus; this can include agroforestry projects.

9. Urban Tree Challenge Fund case study: Durham County Council

9.1 Find out how successful applicants have used their funding.

The Urban Tree Challenge Fund opened in 2019 and had held three rounds of applications. Durham County Council have submitted bids and been successful in all three rounds. You can find out more about how they used their grant in our case study: Urban Tree Challenge Fund case study: Durham County Council.

10. Humber Forest relaunch!

10.1 You may know them as HEYwoods, relaunched this week as the Humber Forest.

Humber Forest have celebrated their relaunch this week at one of their many tree planting projects in the East Riding area. You can read more in their press release: Humber Forest relaunched with ceremonial tree planting in Beverley.