Forestry Conference to focus on ‘Next generation’

Bookings are now open for the annual event, which will be held at Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire, from 9am to 5pm on October 11.

Foresters, land managers and landowners will come together to hear from a range of experts and case studies, share experiences, network and collaborate.

This year’s conference will feature speakers including Dame Glenys Stacey, chair of the Office for Environmental Protection; Tom Williams, managing director of Maydencroft; Jez Ralph, owner of Evolving Forests; and Christopher Williams, chief executive of the Royal Forestry Society.

Others include Sir Edward Milbank, landowner and director of CSX Carbon; Andy Howard, CEO of CSX Carbon; Phoebe Oldfield, designer and furniture maker; and Ben Harrower, of BH Wildlife Consultancy. CLA president Mark Tufnell will also be participating in a session.

Further speakers and case studies will be announced shortly.

“We are delighted to be running the forestry conference once again this year, at such an exciting time for the woodland sector,” said Tim Bamford, CLA south-east regional director.

“We’re also thrilled to be working with our partners to hold an event with such a varied line-up of speakers, focusing on a topical and important theme.

“We look forward to seeing you on October 11 to explore how we can all work together to support the future of British forestry.”

“The Forestry Conference always provides such a great platform for thought leadership and innovation in the sector, and this year will be no exception,” said Dougal Driver, CEO of Grown in Britain.

“Encouraging and supporting diversity is one of the ways we can secure a successful future for forestry, and we are very much looking forward to hearing a fresh perspective from our Grown in Britain scholar, Phoebe Oldfield, as she starts her career working with home-grown timber.”

“The Forestry Commission is proud to support the Forestry Conference once again,” added Jane Hull, Forestry Commission area director in the south-east and London.

“This year’s theme promises lively debate on the innovative approaches for both woodland creation and woodland management. We’re delighted to hear from eminent speakers and fresh voices in a knowledge exchange including examples of how we can collectively secure our future using woodlands and trees.”

The conference is kindly supported by Pryor & Rickett Silviculture.

Tickets include a full day's programme of talks, Q&As and networking opportunities, plus lunch and refreshments. Tickets for CLA members and Grown in Britain certificate holders are £100 plus VAT. Non-member tickets cost £125 plus VAT.

For more information and to book, please visit the CLA website here. If you have any issues booking online, please call the CLA South East office on 01264 313434 and the team will be happy to assist.