23rd January 2024
VETcert training bursary opportunities for 2024
VETcert training bursaries for 2024
We are delighted to announce we will be offering four 2-day VETcert courses throughout 2024/25, all of which will be in-person. Thanks to the funding provided by the Trees Call to Action Fund, we are delighted to be able to offer a limited number of bursary places on our two-day VETcert courses, reducing the course fee to just £50.
As part of our work around diversity, equality and inclusion, we are very pleased to be able to offer some of these bursaries to professionals in one of three identified under-represented groups (female, young people, people of colour). Additionally, some of our bursaries are available to professionals of any demographic group, interested in taking the Practising Level VETcert exam i.e. likely to be a practising arb rather than a consultant. Bursaries for all categories will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and places are strictly limited, so if you meet any of these criteria, please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Course dates are:
- 24 & 25 April 2024 – The Vyne, Hampshire
- 22 & 23 May 2024 – Ashton Court, Bristol
- 17 & 18 July 2024 – Epping Forest, Essex
- 9 & 10 October 2024 – Mote Park, Kent
If you are interested in applying for a bursary, please email Daniel Richards (Daniel.Richards@ancienttreeforum.org.uk) with ‘VETcert bursary request’ as the subject header and let Daniel know which course you would like to attend (helpful to list a first and second preference if you would be able to attend at different locations/dates), highlighting the reason you believe you qualify for a bursary i.e you identify as a professional from one (or more) of the listed under-represented groups and/or you are a practising arb with the intention of working towards the Practising level VETcert exam.
Once your bursary application has been agreed, you will be sent a separate booking link or placed on a waiting list, if places are full.
Please do get in touch if you have any questions, otherwise we hope to see you at a course sometime in the coming year.
ATF’s training provision is supported by the Trees Call to Action Fund. The fund was developed by Defra in partnership with the Forestry Commission and is being delivered by the Heritage Fund.
18th January 2024
Now available: tips for procurement of VETcert specialists
For anybody interested in procuring advice or practical work for ancient and veteran trees, we now have some top tips available to support this. Take a look at our new webpage: Tips for the procurement of VETcert specialists
31st August 2023
ATF Job Vacancy- Finance Officer
Finance Officer
Salary £28,052 p.a. pro rata, flexible home working from anywhere in the UK
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Ancient Tree Forum, a charity whose vision is for the UK’s ancient and other veteran trees, their wildlife, and their heritage and cultural values to be safeguarded now and in the future.
We’re recruiting a Finance Officer to undertake all operational finance activities and tasks in our small, cutting-edge, friendly and flexible environmental charity.
The ideal candidate will: perform all finance tasks for a small busy organisation, support the Treasurer with preparation for reporting to funders, governance meetings and the annual reporting cycle, and liaise with a wide range of people by email and phone in a professional manner.
The successful applicant will be able to work well in a small team, demonstrate personal resilience, a flexible approach to work, have a commitment to ongoing personal finance development and a commitment to diversity.
The post is offered at 1 or 1.5 days – (to be negotiated with the right candidate) and worked flexibly across the week, in annualised hours, working from home, and involves very occasional travel as required, on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2024, which will be extended with further funding.
The ATF is committed to achieve greater diversity and yet we are still not representative of all and particularly welcome applications from people of colour.
Summary of Terms and Conditions of Employment – Finance Officer
- The salary offered is £28,052, pro rata
- The post is offered part time, 1 or 1.5 days a week (7.5 – 11.25 hours), in working hours and across the week, with some set times agreed in advance with the Treasurer
- The post is offered as a fixed term contract until 31 March 2024, and could be continued pending further funding
- The basic leave entitlement will be 25 days plus public / bank holidays (pro rata)
- All employees who are eligible will be enrolled onto a pension with 3% employer’s contributions.
Please note: we can only employ people currently resident in the UK.
To apply
Please see below- job description, application form and equalities monitoring form.
Please complete the application form and equalities monitoring form below – in your application form please ensure you explain how you meet the person specification or we will not be able to assess your application. Send to admin@ancienttreeforum.org.uk, by the closing date.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 17th September 2023.
Interviews will be on Thursday 21 September by zoom.
Downloads:
Job description and person specification
Finance Officer Job Description and Person Spec
Application form
Equal opportunities monitoring form
1st August 2023
Recording now available! ATF webinar- “Basque Pollards” 27th July 2023
Thank you to those who came along to the final of our 2023 webinars and thank you to the presenters for the insight into this long term project.
If you missed the event, you can view a recording of both the presentation and the question and answer session below.
Handouts
8th June 2023
Recording now available! ATF webinar- “Scanning ancient trees with terrestrial lidar” 8th June 2023
Thank you to those who came along to the second of our 2023 webinars and thank you to the presenters for the insight into an interesting project.
If you missed the event, you can view a recording of both the presentation and the question and answer session below.
Handouts
PowerPoint slides- to follow
Our next talk in this series is on Thursday 27th July, on the topic of “Basque Pollards”.
30th May 2023
SCanning Ancient Trees with TERrestrial lidar (SCATTER)- join our free webinar!
The ATF is partnering with UCL who have been awarded a Woodland Trust Research Grant for SCanning Ancient Trees with TERrestrial lidar (SCATTER) to characterise and compare tree architecture across the UK’s ancient and veteran oaks.
UCL Research Team LiDAR scanning the Druids Oak at Burnham Beeches, City of London
Photo Credit: Mat Disney
Join our next webinar on Thursday 8th June to learn more about the project: “scanning ancient trees with Lidar”.
26th May 2023
Recording now available! ATF webinar- “Tree Architecture” 25th May 2023
Thank you to those who came along to the launch of our 2023 webinars and thank you to Tom Joye for presenting on a fascinating subject.
If you missed the event, you can view a recording of both the presentation and the question and answer session below.
Handouts
Our next talk in this series is on Thursday 8th June, on the topic of “scanning ancient trees with Lidar”.
3rd May 2023
ATF’s Open House event 2023- recording now available
Thank you to those who came along to the Open House event on 3rd May 2023. If you missed the event, you can view the recording below.
ATF Open House event presentation slides are available here: ATF Open House 2023 Event PPT Deck
18th April 2023
Vacancies – the Ancient Tree Forum is seeking a Chair of Trustees
(Photo Credit: Brian Muelaner)
Ancient Tree Forum – Chair of Trustees
The country’s only dedicated ancient tree charity, the Ancient Tree Forum (ATF), is looking for a new Chair.
About us – The ATF seeks to secure the long-term future of ancient trees through advocacy of no further avoidable loss, good management, and the development of a succession of future ancient trees. The ATF is needed now more than ever – this is a critical time for ancient trees, the habitats they support and the landscapes in which they can survive and flourish. Their protection is crucial, not least because these living monuments represent a globally important resource, for biodiversity, cultural connection, mental & physical health, carbon capture, and soil conservation.
The profile of the ATF continues to grow, and its expertise is sought at the highest level. We raise awareness and understanding of the value and importance of ancient and veteran trees to biodiversity, soils, landscape, heritage, and climate. We work with a mix of national charities, landowners, land managers, local authorities, and policy makers in national government and offer specialist training, advice, guidance, and outreach projects.
What we’re looking for – Do you have the ability, empathy and commitment to make a major contribution to the protection of the oldest trees in the country, and all their associated wildlife, history and carbon impact?
Are you an experienced leader from the environmental sector? Will you champion our diversity and inclusion ambitions within our strategy?
If so, we encourage you to consider applying.
If you also understand current ancient and veteran tree-related challenges and issues this would be an advantage, although a background in the wider environment sector and in charities at a relevant level is more important.
Find out more about the ATF and this leadership opportunity at our “Open House” event on Wednesday 3rd May 12-1pm where you will meet our interim chair, trustees, and staff. See candidate pack for details of how to book.
Time commitment – We expect the time commitment for the role to be 2.5 – 3 days per month.
We understand that being the Chair of a charity is a significant commitment, so we would also consider co-chair applications.
Diversity – We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds, including and especially people of colour, as we recognise that our sector is not representative of the diversity of the wider population. You can read about our continued work on equity, diversity inclusion and here.
Application notes
Download our applicant pack below for further details and guidance on how to apply
Please direct any queries to daniel.richards@ancienttreeforum.org.uk
More detailed information about the ATF can be found on our website.
Downloads
Downloads:
Chair candidate pack including role description and person specification
Equal opportunities monitoring form
30th March 2023
ATF Open House 2023
Ancient Tree Forum- Open House Session
The Ancient Tree Forum invites you to join our 2023 ‘Open House’ – an annual online hour where you can meet trustees and staff, find out about ATF’s 2023 events, training and bursaries and hear more about the upcoming recruitment for ATF’s Chair of Trustees. We invite anyone with an interest in this voluntary role, or any other aspect of ATF, to come and meet us.
There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions you may have about this exciting opportunity to lead the ATF as Chair, and any other questions you have about the ATF.
Wednesday 3rd May 2023
12.00-1.00pm
On zoom – to receive the link, please book your place by completing the booking form.
Everyone is welcome, whether you already know the ATF or if we are completely new to you.
For questions about Open House or more information, please contact daniel.richards@ancienttreeforum.org.uk