Threats and Opportunities for an Irreplaceable Habitat

Ancient woodlands are among the UK’s most biodiverse and historically significant landscapes. For thousands of years - from the Bronze Age to the Industrial Revolution - they shaped every aspect of human life. Yet in just a few generations, this deep-rooted connection has been largely forgotten.

As we face the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, ancient woodlands offer a vital part of the solution. They provide irreplaceable habitats for endangered species and offer an opportunity to rebuild our cultural and ecological ties with the land.

But these precious places are more vulnerable than many realise. Join us in Birmingham for this one-day conference that will explore the challenges ancient woodlands face, the work already being done to protect them, and the policy changes needed to ensure their future. Let us discuss how ancient woodlands can once again inspire a thriving woodland culture for generations to come.

This event has been developed by the Institute's Environmental Special Interest Group.

Poster submission

We would like to enrich this conference with posters reflecting each of the three conference sessions as follows:

• Evidence – Posters on any aspect of relevant research, especially studies comparing ancient woodlands with other woodlands, and also including studies of natural colonisation in buffer zones around ancient woodlands.
• Practice – Posters describing case studies of restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites and of management that improves the condition of ancient woodlands, such as deer and grey squirrel management.
• Policy and Campaigns – Posters analysing the effectiveness of regulations or grants, or advocating for ancient woodland, ancient wood pasture and ancient and veteran tree protection are welcome.

The guidance above is not exclusive, if you have a poster that you believe is appropriate, please submit it for consideration. We would like those displaying posters to stand beside them in the break immediately following the session to which they are connected. A prize will be awarded for the best poster in each of the three sessions.

Programme

Keynote Speaker - To be announced

Introduction: A brief history of the Ancient Woodland Concept - Dr Keith Kirby MBE FICFor

• What do we mean by Ancient Woodlands (i.e. including wood pasture, ancient trees), how much is there, and how well are they protected across the four countries?
• Framed in the context of 40 years on from the first inventory and broadleaf policy – the inventory is being updated, is there a moment for Ancient Woodlands 40 years on?

Session One: Evidence (Chair: Adrian Jowitt MICFor)

• State of UK’s Woods and Trees 2025 - Harriet Downey
• Update on Inventory - Neil Ford
• People Benefit - Luke Barley MICFor
• Discussion panel

Session Two: Practice (Chair: Justin Mumford FICFor CEnv)

• Managing Ancient and Native Woodlands (new England guidance) - Chris Tomlin
• Woodland Condition Assessment - Martin Hugi MICFor
• Nature Green Finance, Funding for Ancient Woodland Management - Dr Rebecca Heaton FICFor
• Case Study: Ancient Woodland Wood Production - David Rickwood
• Deer and the NHS - Tim Radcliffe
• Discussion panel

Session Three: Policy & Campaigns (Chair: John Deakin MICFor)

• Rhetoric Vs Reality, International and Domestic Approaches - Dr Andrew Weatherall MICFor
• Forgotten Forests Campaign - Nick Phillips
• Ancient Woodlands UK Campaign - Lucy Grabe-Watson and Katie Thompson
• Discussion panel

Closing Panel Session (Chair: Caroline Harrison MICFor)

Please note that the full line up is still to be confirmed.

Additional information

The ticket price includes lunch and tea and coffee throughout the day.

Exhibition & sponsorship opportunities

Please get in contact with us at events@charteredforesters.org if you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the conference.