For the last two days I have been at the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ (ICF) conference, “Trees and the Urban Environment” this was a fantastic event and a good opportunity to meet some of the movers and shakers in urban forestry. The opening speech, given by Pam Warhurst of the Forestry Commission, was truly inspirational, a call to arms for all foresters to come together and make the most of the public passion for trees.

There were some excellent seminars including a heated and passionate debate over the use of non-native trees in urban areas or as street trees, and a fabulous closing address by Peter Head of Arup, discussing the future of the urban environment in terms of renewable energies and greening buildings.  All in all this was a very good conference and the proceedings should make a fascinating read!

I would like to thank Barcham Tree Specialists for the scholarship that enabled me to attend.

Kirsty Monk