“Forestry… may be called the younger sister and the servant of Agriculture. Each of these arts is essential to the welfare of nations, and no people can be said to be wise, politic, or economic which does not pay attention to the advancement of both” (Nisbet 1905)

Oxford is nothing if not wise, politic and economic, and the appointment of a new Wood Professorship of Forest Science is exciting and timely. Forest-related information is of growing importance to a very diverse range of people and institutions around the world, and the University of Oxford has had a long tradition of generating just such information. Managed sustainably, forests provide long term employment and wood and non-timber products for use by society. In the UK alone forests contribute some £7.2bn per annum to the  economy as well as providing havens for wildlife and biodiversity, and a source of relaxation and enjoyment for the millions of people who visit them each year. Globally, forests have unrecognized potential in furthering the development agenda. The State of the World’s Forests 2011 recognises the importance of forests to poverty eradication and identifies some key areas that require research in order to realise this potential. For forests to thrive in a constantly evolving environment, a sound evidence base to underpin policy or management decisions is essential.

The purpose of the Wood Professorship of Forest Science is to develop a research initiative that will generate the fundamental science necessary to underpin robust evidence-based forest policy. The Department is looking for someone with an exceptional record of academic achievements to provide academic leadership in Forest Science in the Department of Plant Sciences and throughout the University. This is a completely new post for the Department, which enjoys an internationally leading position in research and teaching in plant sciences, with a particular focus on biochemistry and systems biology, cell and developmental biology, ecology, evolution and systematics.

The Professor will be expected to contribute to promoting the ‘Trees for Tomorrow’ initiative within the Plants for the 21^st Century (P21C) Institute. Applications are encouraged from any candidate whose research program will augment existing strengths in the department. The Wood Professor of Forest Science will be a member of both the University and Linacre College and will have a role to play in the running of the College as a member and trustee of its Governing Body.

Start date: 1 October 2012 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Further details about the post and the application process can be found here. Applications, including a covering letter and full CV, and naming three referees should be received no later than Monday 16 January 2012, by Dr Gwen Booth, Personnel Officer, Senior Appointments at professorships@admin.ox.ac.uk. If you have a query about how to apply, please contact Mrs. Elaine Eastgate at professorships@admin.ox.ac.uk or telephone: +44 (0) 1865 280189.

A major report has been released today: The State of the UK’s Forests, Woods and Trees: Perspectives from the forestry and woodland sector. It marks the International Year of Forests in 2011.

The State of the UK’s Forests, Woods and Trees report was led by the Woodland Trust and written in collaboration with 19 other organisations across the forestry sector, including contributions from the Sylva Foundation.

The report consists of six chapters:

1. Forest Cover in the UK
2. Governance
3. Productivity and sustainable forest management
4. Biodiversity
5. Ecosystem services
6. Resilience

The report concludes that much evidence exists, and some of the policy is in place, to support what is needed: an expansion of the forest resource, protection and restoration of its most valuable natural assets, re-invigoration of the economic woodland and forest sector, delivery of environmental and social benefits, and delivery of resilient, functional landscapes. The biggest challenge is to drive this policy into practice.

The report points to a number of needs to achieve the above:

• the need to recognise and enhance the diversity in form, function, and use of our woods.
• the need for joined-up thinking with supportive government policies that embed forests, woods and trees and enable collaboration within the sector.
• the need for public support and an awareness of the benefits of woodland and why its protection and expansion is essential. People’s connection with forests, exemplified by the strong emotional reaction to the threat of losing the public forest estate earlier in 2011 needs to be deepened to a real understanding of and support for forests, woods and trees as working landscapes and as crucial habitats for wildlife.

Download the report from the Woodland Trust website