The Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committees (FWACs), which advise the Forestry Commission (FC) on forestry-related issues, are seeking to recruit to new members.
Individuals with expert knowledge of and a passionate interest in forestry and woodland issues are needed to fill vacancies across the nine FWACs. The committees help shape the way the FC leads the expansion, a protection, improvement and connection of people to the trees, woodlands and forests in each region of England, and the delivery of these benefits with its partners.
FWACs work with the FC in the context of the England Trees Action Plan and the government’s long-term vision for the sector and England’s treescape. They also have a role in advising on ‘disputed cases’ in respect of new woodland creation and Felling Licence applications.
Each committee normally meets three times a year and there are also occasional ad hoc meetings. Members should be able to volunteer up to five days per annum for FWAC work, which is unpaid but travelling expenses are reimbursed. The FC is keen to increase the age profile of the committees and is encouraging the nomination of younger people who are currently under-represented. Where a younger person cannot commit to serve an initial three-year term, a lesser term of two years will be considered.
The nomination process requires the completion of an expression of interest form which is available from the Arboricultural Association’s website (www.trees.org.uk) along with a recruitment pack. The form should be returned with the candidate’s CV by Friday 15th September 2023 to commissioners@forestrycommission.gov.uk.
More information about the role and the code of conduct can be found at www.gov.uk/government/groups/forestry-and-woodlands-advisory-committees
Expression of Interest
Recruitment Pack