Forest Research announces major forest science conference in Edinburgh

Forest Research, the government agency for forest science, funded by UK, Scottish and Welsh governments, has announced SciFor 26, a major conference focused on the evidence, findings and innovations resulting from its core research programme that has run from 2021 to this year.

The conference will take place at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens on 11 and 12 November, bringing together over 200 delegates from across the forestry sector in Great Britain.

With adaptation, resilience and productivity as key challenges for those working with Great Britain’s trees, woods and forests, the role of long-term scientific research has never been more important.

Register for SciFor 26

The SciFor 26 programme will focus on:

• Woodland creation and nature recovery
• Management of pests and diseases
• Forest genetics and tree improvement
• Carbon modelling and greenhouse gas assessment
• Ecosystem services and nature markets
• Interactions with air, soil and water
• Future threats to tree health
• Silviculture and species choice
• Biodiversity and wildlife
• Forest growth and yield modelling
• Timber properties, markets and prices
• Societal perspectives and benefits of treescapes
• Innovations in managing climate risks.

As well as showcasing the vitally important research, the conference will provide a forum for discussion, knowledge exchange and networking between researchers, practitioners and policymakers.

With over 40 sessions across 13 themes, keynotes from industry leaders, and with reflections from sector representatives, SciFor 26 will be an unmissable opportunity for those seeking to understand the future of forestry in Great Britain.

SciFor 26 presents an opportunity for the forestry sector to get to grips with the most important findings from five years of groundbreaking research by Forest Research’s world-class scientists.

James Pendlebury, Forest Research Chief Executive, said: ‘The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments continue to invest in evidence-driven forest science, recognising the essential role trees, woods and forests play in protecting our ecosystems, facilitating decarbonisation, supporting our wellbeing and energising our economy.

“SciFor 26 presents an opportunity for the forestry sector to get to grips with the most important findings from five years of groundbreaking research by Forest Research’s world-class scientists.

“Long-term research programmes are essential in gathering the evidence the sector needs while supercharging the innovation that’s vital for growth.”

Helen Sellars, Head of Sustainable Forest Management at Scottish Forestry, said: “This conference comes at an important time for the forestry sector, when climate adaptation, resilience and productivity are all key issues. Forest science has always had an essential role to play in protecting our trees and their contribution to society while supporting Scotland’s, and Great Britain’s, timber economy.”

Register for SciFor 26