Exciting times at APF Show 2026
RFS seek industry views to shape new professional toolkit, and will be talking careers, grants, and mental health at APF Show 2026.
Our Breaking Points survey last year explored the pressures experienced by those working in forestry. The findings highlighted the range and complexities of these challenges, with 76% of respondents identifying financial issues as a major stressor. Many in the workforce do not have a secure support system in place to help manage stress, with 31% reported having no regular support and 35% experiencing chronic burnout.
Many foresters experience hostility and aggression from the public when carrying out essential forestry works. Much of this negativity can be due to a lack of understanding from the public, many of whom associate cutting down trees with mass deforestation for economic benefit. While the research has helped identify these pressures, understanding the problem is only the first step.
“The RFS and the mental health in forestry working group are taking important steps towards addressing the serious challenges faced by people working in forestry. We want to identify practical ways to better support our community and improve mental wellbeing across the sector”
We are asking those working in the sector about the practical changes that could make a difference to their wellbeing at work. At APF, the RFS team will ask professionals for their views on tools aimed at addressing the lack of understanding and communication between forestry and the public. Public-facing videos explaining forestry operations and guides to help foresters deal with negative public interactions are among the ideas RFS have put forward to the industry.
The feedback gathered at APF will help inform the development of a RFS Toolkit for Change, turning the experiences and ideas from professionals into actionable change for the wider industry.
If you wish to input your thoughts, you can complete the Toolkit for Change mini survey.
We also welcome forestry managers and consultants to provide feedback on a ‘Forestry procurement and contracts checklist’; get in touch to find out more.
What’s On at APF?
Find the RFS stand (D1A) to talk all things forestry including careers, grants for resilience, education and training, as well as oak-related research from Action Oak.
Thursday 24th September
09:00
Winch Racing & Demo (Fundraising in support of Mental Health in Forestry)
Organised by friend Toby Allen (recently heard on our mental health podcast), take part, enjoy the race, and donate to support the ongoing work to improve mental health within the forestry sector.
Careers Advice Slots
Join RFS Careers Advisor Alison Dinnie at one of the available 20minutes one-on-one time slots. Work out your next steps, ask questions, and get advice about the sector.
14:30
Branching Out From Blame – Why Forestry Workers Deserve Better – Panel Discussion & Q&A Session
Join the conversation at the Forest Workers Zone (stand 170) alongside our own RFS CEO Christopher Williams.
Friday 25th September
14:00
Tree Alert top five : Acute Oak decline, Sweet Chestnut blight. OPM , Ramorun…
Join Annabel Narayanan (Director at Action Oak) and Forest Research to discuss top tree threats in the Seminar Tent (stand 1710).
14:30
Branching Out From Blame – Why Forestry Workers Deserve Better – Panel Discussion & Q&A Session
Missed the first opportunity? Join the conversation at the Forest Workers Zone (stand 170) alongside our own RFS CEO Christopher Williams.
