About our training programme:

The goal of our training programme is to increase knowledge and skills within the forestry sector by providing forward-looking training and continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities.

Training theme:

The overall theme of our current training programme is ‘Resilience fundamentals, tree health, and non-native pests and pathogens‘, and is based on the broad values and aims of the CFP and its research interests.

Module 1 – Meet the threats:

This is an introductory module which provides an overview of the risks and challenges that non-native pests and pathogens present to trees in the UK. It outlines how science can inform legislation and management to increase resilience in trees, forests and woodlands.

Throughout the module you will:

• gain an overview of emerging risks to tree health, focusing on pests and diseases
• learn how resilience in trees can be enhanced by reducing risks, aiding recovery, and supporting long-term adaptations
• understand more about the practical tools that can be used to enhance resilience in trees, woodlands, and forests

Module 2 – Reducing risks for resilient trees:

This module looks at how risks from non-native pests and pathogens can be minimised to enhance resilience in trees. It explores how biosecurity measures, legislation, scientific research, and management practices can disrupt transmission and promote tree resilience.

Throughout the module you will:

• understand how the risks from non-native pests and pathogens can be minimised to enhance resilience in trees
• learn about the introduction of new pests and diseases and their transmission pathways
• find out how management practices, scientific research, legislation, and biosecurity measures can disrupt the transmission and introduction of new pests and pathogens

Module 3 – The role of genetics in tree health and forest resilience:

This module explores genetics and genomics, explaining how they contribute to enhancing the resilience of trees to non-native pests and pathogens. It examines what genomics is, including genetic variation and inheritance, why it is important for building resilience, how it is applied in treescapes, and the role it plays in addressing novel pests and pathogens.

Throughout the module you will:

• gain an overview of what is meant by genetics and genomics
• explore why genetic diversity matters for treescapes
• understand the impact of genetics on tree performance in different locations, and how this can be harnessed to ensure resilient treescapes despite a changing environment
• learn about the role of genetics and genomics in resistance to novel pests and pathogens, and how we can use knowledge of this to maintain healthy tree populations

Further information:

We are interested in hearing about the tree health and forest protection topics you would like to see included in our future training modules. If you have any suggestions, please share them via our suggestion form below. You can do this anonymously, or leave your contact details so that we can follow up with you: