Action Oak Webinar: The State of the UK’s Oaks Report

In March, Action Oak is launching its latest report; State of the UK’s Oaks. The first tree species specific report of its kind in the UK. Join us for a webinar panel discussion about the report and its findings.

This March, Action Oak will launch the State of the UK’s Oaks, the first tree species-specific report of its kind and the most comprehensive assessment of our native oaks to date.

Tuesday 17 March, 2026, 2-3pm

Join us for a webinar panel discussion with leading plant health, forestry and policy experts as we reveal the report’s key findings, discuss the growing threats facing our oaks and the opportunities for action.

You’ll hear our four expert panellists unpack the report findings and explore what this means for the future of our oaks. We’re delighted to bring together voices from across science, practice and policy.

  • Professor Nicola Spence CBE, UK Chief Plant Health Officer 
  • Tony Kirkham MBE, VMH, FArborA, FICFor (Hon) 
  • Lisa Brooks, Chief Operating Officer of Forest Services, Forestry Commission
  • Dr Kate Halstead, Climate Change Scientist, Forest Research 
  • Moderated by Chris Nichols, Head of Conservation Outcomes and Evidence at The Woodland Trust 

    Professor Nicola Spence CBE

    Chair of Action Oak's Research and Monitoring sub-committee

    Nicola is the UK Chief Plant Health Officer and is the Head of the National Plant Protection Organisation. She advises ministers, industry and others about the risks posed by plant pests and diseases, ensuring that measures are in place to manage those risks and minimise their impact, as well as leading the operational response in the event of a disease outbreak.

    Tony Kirkham MBE, VMH, FArborA, FICFor (Hon)

    Chair of Action Oak's Knowledge into Action sub-committee

    After studying at The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew on the 3-year Diploma course, Tony was the Head of the Arboretum, Gardens and Horticultural Services, responsible for the management and curation of over 14,000 trees and curated and managed the hardy shrub collections until July 2021. He retired after 43 years’ service, for which he received an MBE and the RHS VMH.

    Lisa Brooks 

    Co-Chair of Action Oak

    Lisa is the Chief Operating Officer of Forest Services in the Forestry Commission.  She has over 25 years' experience in Defra, specialising in environmental policy, operational delivery, and building science capability.

    Dr Kate Halstead

    Climate Change Scientist, Forest Research

    Kate completed her PhD at Newcastle University, where she investigated the drivers of oak damage during Storm Arwen as part of a 3.5-year project funded by Action Oak and supported by Forest Research. She now specialises in wind risk and climate change research, with expertise in ForestGALES, GIS and remote sensing.