Institute Of Chartered Foresters

The Institute of Chartered Foresters, founded in 1925 as the Society of Foresters of Great Britain and granted Royal Charter status in 1982, is the UK's premier professional body for foresters and arboriculturists. Its mission is to advance sustainable forestry and arboricultural practice through upholding professional standards, education, ethical conduct, and continuous development, emphasizing scientific rigour, sustainability, and public benefit. Distinctively, it is the only UK organization awarding Chartered Forester, Chartered Arboriculturist, and Chartered Environmentalist statuses, influencing policy, research, and sector leadership via publications, events, and advocacy under its "A Strong Future" five-year strategy.

It supports limited charitable activities through the Educational & Scientific Trust, funding personal bursaries for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), training, conference attendance, and study tours in themes like sustainable woodland management, climate resilience, biosecurity, innovation, skills development, and ecosystem services. Beneficiaries are primarily individual members, students, early-career professionals, academics, and land managers with UK forestry or arboriculture interests; no organizational or project grants for charities.

Eligibility requires UK residency or operations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with no income thresholds but strict focus on professionals/educators. Typical awards are up to £500 (e.g., five Expanding Horizons CPD bursaries opening January 2025 on a rolling basis via online form); event bursaries cover tickets/accommodation with deadlines posted online. Unsolicited applications from charities are not accepted, nor are project, core, capital, or unrestricted grants—distinguishing it as a professional regulator and ally for sector excellence rather than a traditional funder.