Really glad to see our special feature of People and Nature is starting to trickle through. The issue includes some wonderful contributions from scholars and practitioners working on the digital dimensions of nature recovery!

‘We want to be the hosts of this story’ by Lucy Jenner, Marc J. Metzger, Darren Moseley, and Ed Forrest explores whether improved data access can enhance understanding of land use change for nature recovery, focusing on community-led approaches besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Fascinating to see the new build emerge at @thescottishcrannog.bsky.social with intriguing blend of traditional techniques, bespoke carpentry and local forest timber (from Forestry and Land Scotland and others). Compelling and knowledgeable guides highlighting the history from Iron Age to present.

Deer 🦌 activity limits tree 🌳 recruitment in woodland creation sites - Journal of Applied Ecology besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

We’re delighted to announce David Knott as our new Director of Horticulture 🌿 With more than 48 years of experience in horticulture — including 38 years at RBGE — David brings exceptional expertise, leadership and passion to our four gardens. We look forward to the next chapter 🌍

This looks like a great job. Forestry England are recruiting for a Senior Specialist - Natural Grazing and Herbivory. Deadline for applications is Sunday 31 May. More information here: careers.forestryengland.uk/jobs/job/Sen...

Thanks to @woollymaggot.bsky.social and the RSFS for an excellent field day at Doune. Valuable and informed discussions on a wide range of topics, with a wide range of people. 🌳🌲🦌🦫 www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew...

“Resurrecting habitat fragmentation as a process over time” - Trends in Ecology & Evolution www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...

Asking "whether [habitat] fragmentation is good or bad is not the key question; instead we should focus on the process and pattern of land change and its implications"

Considering studying for an #MSc in Environmental Management? Join us at University of Stirling, where we take your learning beyond the classroom and into the heart of #Cairngorms National Park 🐿️ www.stir.ac.uk/courses/pg-t... Video credit: Allan Audsley

⏰📢 Two days left to apply for the Head of Finance opportunity at Forest Research. 👉 Apply online: ow.ly/7Brg50YIKgs #Careers #ForestResearch #Finance

2025 Silvicultural Prize awarded to early career researcher 👏 Doctoral candidate Gardenia Gonçalves de Oliveira wins for her paper on optimising eucalyptus harvest residues, balancing biomass use and soil health 🌱 Full story: charteredforesters.org/silvicultura...

International Day of Forests - maybe you’d like to know a bit more about forests? Three Words for Forest is a play just over an hour long using interviews with a wide range of people from across the forestry sector. Loads of other resources at threewordsforest.org.uk youtu.be/LsgMTS09-EU

Exciting new dataset on 🌳'Trees Outside of Woodlands' in Wales - created by @forestresearchuk.bsky.social datamap.gov.wales/layers/geono...

Good to see @forestresearchuk.bsky.social involved in this collaboration to improve forest resilience.

Congratulations to Peter Stewart and colleagues on a new publication exploring #pest and disease occurence in UK #treescapes, identifying drivers of pest and disease burdens such as #deforestation and differences in drivers of disease between broadleaf trees and conifers 🌳🌲 doi.org/10.1111/gcb....

Fabulous set of resources and access to the verbatim theatre play too. Of interest? - @theicf.bsky.social @royalforestrysoc.bsky.social @iufro.bsky.social @forestresearchuk.bsky.social @uofstirling-bes.bsky.social

Great to see launch of extensive resources (for teachers, communities, professionals) from the verbatim theatre ‘Three Words for Forest’ - a play exploring uncertainty in a time of climate crisis. threewordsforest.org.uk Congrats @deeheddon.bsky.social and colleagues @uktreescapes.bsky.social

👩‍🔬Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! IUFRO fosters a diverse global community of forest scientists where every voice matters, because we are convinced that equity and inclusion drive better science. Let’s connect and move forward together! #ForestScience #WomenInScience

📅 To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) is hosting their 3rd Annual Women in Science webinar series. 🌲✨ 🔗 Register online: www.iufro.org/events/3rd-a... #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience #WomeninSTEM

How much temperate rainforest could there be in the UK and Ireland, and where? Despite campaigns calling for restoration in both countries, these questions have been difficult to answer. In our new paper we assess the evidence base 🌏🧪🌐🌳🌲 1/9

Only two days left to apply for the post of Field Station Manager with Forest Research - based at either Roslin or Elgin this is a great opportunity to lead a fantastic team!

Looking for #biodiversity events to attend in 2026? Check out CircHive site and learn more about BEEHive, a platform for people interested in using biodiversity footprinting & natural capital accounting methods. https://circhive.eu/circhive/article/circhive%27s-guide-to-biodiversity-events-in-2026-

We’re delighted to announce Paul Brannen and Professor Peter Bonfield OBE have been awarded Honorary Fellowships, recognising their outstanding leadership in sustainable forestry, timber and climate action. Read more: charteredforesters.org/paul-brannen...

My time on the "Expert Committee on Forest Science" is coming to an end, and the Committee is now recruiting for an experienced forestry sector person to take my place. I am very much not an academic or a scientist, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Committee.

I’ve been appointed as a Non-Executive Commissioner to the Forestry Commission. Very much looking forward to this additional role given more wood in more buildings is predicated on planting and felling more trees. www.gov.uk/government/n...

‘Timber! How wood can help save the world from climate breakdown’. Now on its fourth print run in 18 months. Still time to order for Xmas. www.waterstones.com/book/timber/...

🎄BES member and Scottish Policy Group founder @ruth-j-mitchell.bsky.social shares the wonderful world of nature's own special Christmas tree ornaments in today's Scotsman www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

2025 is almost over and what a year it has been for @forest-protection.bsky.social! Here are just a few of our key highlights: 🌳 Phase 2 of our research programme kicked off in the spring, with 17 new research projects being funded by #Defra. @forestresearchuk.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social

🌱 #WoodYou believe a forest could change the world? Here are 6️⃣ ways sustainable wood is quietly and powerfully shaping life for the better 👇 #GrowTheSolution #CPForests #SW4SW

On a frosty November day, members of our Scots pine tree breeding team set off for the Borders ❄️ Their mission? Collecting pine cones for vital genetic research 🧬 You can read all about their fieldwork in our latest blog: www.forestprotection.uk/2025/12/16/s... 🔗 @forestresearchuk.bsky.social

New forestry film promoted by @fao.org "Imagine using wood in clothes, as a replacement for concrete and steel in buildings, to make clothing, and even to produce biodegradable satellites." #PositiveForestry www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxHt...

❓Are you ready for the 𝗜𝗨𝗙𝗥𝗢 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮6? 👉🏼The 10th International Wind and Trees Conference will be hosted by the IUFRO Working Party 8.03.036, 📍at Matsumoto City, Japan 📅 from 15-18 September 2026. ➡️For more information visit: windandtrees2026.wordpress.com

New guidance is available to help local authorities understand the social & cultural values people hold for trees. Partnership with @thetreecouncil.bsky.social @yorkuniversity.bsky.social #FeraScience Funded by #DefraGovUK Future Proofing Plant Health Programme. More info: ow.ly/tMJi50XBIMA

The Scottish Forestry Trust recently supported Bangor University student, Sarah Wild in attending the International Association of Wildland Fire’s conference in Calgary, 20-23 October 2025, to present a poster of her Master's research. www.scottishforestrytrust.org.uk/news/2025/de...

✈️ Travelling during the holidays? Don’t risk bringing back plant and animal products that may be contaminated. 🦠 Watch our animation to understand how contaminated products could cause disease spread in Great Britain. ➡️ youtu.be/D1lzg1x7gH4

My latest Press & Journal column

Great to see the trees of @thebotanics.bsky.social in a whole new light tonight! Imagining those pathways for water and nutrients!

Applications are open for the 2025/26 Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Programme 🌏 🗓️3-month paid international placement (June-Aug 2026) 💰£3,000 bursary ✅Open to ICF members aged 30 or under Applications close on 16 January 2026 👇 charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/y...

Really good example of the potential for “NTFP” (non timber forest products) - historically the fluffy seeds from Kapok (Ceiba Pentandra) have been used for a wide range of uses, including life jackets. rnli.org/about-us/our...

The Scottish Forestry Trust is proud to have once again supported the Association of Applied Biologists' Travel Grants for early-career professionals attending the Creating Canopies II Conference. #AABCreatingCanopies web.cvent.com/event/7e93d2...

The Trust's Executive Director, Dr Stuart Glen is attending both days of the conference. Please say hello, especially if you're interested in learning more about the funding we have available for forestry research, education, and training. #AABCreatingCanopies web.cvent.com/event/7e93d2...

Planning to travel outside the UK? ✈️ Don’t risk bringing back restricted animal and plant products, such as pork or seeds, as they could host harmful pathogens. EPIC and @planthealthscot.bsky.social produced an animation showing the risks: youtu.be/92y4gdX5-Ms

Last week we teamed up with The Royal Scottish Forestry Society for an event at our Northern Research Station, focusing on protecting Scotland’s trees. Events like this help strengthen knowledge and skills to safeguard the health of our forests. #ForestHealth #TreeAlert #ForestResearch

I am excited to share that I am a Guest Editor for this Special Issue of Forestry @forestryoup.bsky.social for #Silvilaser2025! Be sure to get your submissions in and feel free to DM me if you have any questions. 👋 Please share to let your colleagues know about this great publishing opportunity!

🎪🌳 Join us on Wed 27 Aug at 7pm #EastgateTheatre in Peebles for a screening of #AshRise + Q&A with Dr Helen McKay, FR Fellow & Chief Forester for Scotland. 🎫 ow.ly/2SL750WHqXn ✨ #ScottishFurnitureMakersAssociation in partnership with #scottishforestry & #AssociationOfScottishHardwoodSawmillers.

If you'd like more info about resources, drop me an email at [email protected]

"The Trust’s mission closely aligns with two subjects I am very passionate about: environmental research and teaching/training of the next generation of scientists." In our July #MeetTheTrustees interview, Professor Ioly Kotta-Loizou explains why she became a Trustee of The Scottish Forestry Trust.