Forest education gathers pace

The Forest Education Network (FEN) England started in April 2012 and is hosted by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (www. lotc.org.uk). Set up to promote all types of forest education in England, from the forest floor to shop floor, FEN is primarily a networking and signposting resource with a wide remit to promote a whole range of learning opportunities in relation to trees, woods and forests.

The FEN had its official launch at the APF Exhibition in September 2012 and since then there has been much development activity. A priority has been the establishment of a web 'signpost' with the FEN pages going live this April at www.lotc.org.uk/fen.

Another key focus for the FEN has been encouraging a broad membership of individuals and organisations and we now have nearly 300 members, with 27 local groups too. Our regular FEN members' bulletin keeps members up to date with articles, news, resources and events, and members make their own valuable contributions to these.

Contributing to local, regional and national events has helped us share best practice. Our own recent north-east networking event as part of Grown in Britain Week was a great success and we had the chance to see one of the largest kiln-dried firewood operators in action. We contribute to other forums of discussion, for example the England Woodland and Timber Partnership (EWTP) Learning and Development Working Group on education and skills. A highlight this year is that we were recognised in the Government Forestry and Woodlands Policy Statement (incorporating the government's response to the Independent Panel on Forestry's Final Report).

So what for the future? The FEN will continue to seek opportunities for the future development of the network and any projects and opportunities that emerge, and we are currently planning more events including a national networking event for World Forestry Day in spring 2014. If you would like to get involved, or would like to receive our FEN bulletin, get in touch at fen@lotc.org.uk.

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