Northern Forestry Conference

Already the powerhouse of English forestry, the woodlands and timber-using businesses of the north deliver so much more than thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in GVA.

Trees and forests provide the backdrop to so many aspects of our daily lives, whether it’s the recreation and cultural opportunities afforded by major public forests such as Grizedale, Kielder and Dalby, or the opportunity for short walks and time out in nature in a local small woodland. Trees absorb noise and air pollution, help mitigate floods, and provide valuable habitats for many of our native species, as well as locking up carbon from the atmosphere for decades – or generations if they’re turned into construction products, furniture and other long-lasting products. We’re also increasingly turning to our forests to meet the needs of society for other low carbon products, such as fibre for clothing, packaging, bio-based chemicals and plastic substitutes, and even the jet fuel that takes us on our summer holidays.

However, it’s not all plain sailing - the forestry sector and the businesses it relies on face an unprecedented set of man-made and natural challenges. These range from increased competition from other land uses, coupled with labour and fibre shortages, through to the growing need to decarbonise forest operations, deal with an increasingly challenging palette of diseases and extreme weather events, and a pressing need to reinvigorate the social licence for productive forestry. The sector can only deal with this daunting array of issues if it comes together, learns from others and works collaboratively to create the right environment to thrive at a regional scale.

Speakers

The interactive event will engage the audience on the direct economic and low carbon contribution forests and trees can make to the north, and the opportunities that growing the sector can bring. The event will be brought to life by an exceptional line-up of high profile speakers:

• Dougal Driver, CEO, Grown in Britain
• Professor Patricia Thornley, Director, Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute
• Paul Brannen, Director Of Public Affairs, CEI-Bois and EOS, Confederation of Timber Industries
• Rebecca Smith, Journalist and Author of Rural: The Lives of the Working Class Countryside
• Ross Lowrie, Principal Manager (Low Carbon Growth & Net Zero), North East Combined Authority
• Ian Tubby (tbc), Head of Policy and Advice, Forestry Commission
• Andrew Weatherall, Woodlands Principal Policy Officer, RSPB
• Dr Jonathan Scurlock, Chief Advisor Renewable Energy and Climate Change, National Farmers Union
• Jo O'Hara, FutureArk
• Alex MacLennan, Recreation and Public Affairs Manager, Forestry England
• Stuart Dainton, Head of Land Management & Estates, National Forest Company
• Rosanna Curtis, Northwoods Project Manager, Reheat

Who is the Conference for?

Not just foresters is the short answer! The conference is intended to help bridge the gap between those already working in or with the products of our forests, and public and private sector organisations and decision-makers who would like to understand the opportunities that growing increasingly critical sector can play. MPs and their researchers, county and local councillors, economic development, sustainability, energy, and carbon professionals, alongside business owners, innovators and investors are all expected to attend the event to learn, network and plan for the green, low carbon future that forests and trees can deliver for the north.

We look forward to welcoming you!

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