CPD and Training provided by FLAC
We provide the highest quality CPD and training for ecologists and arboriculturists working in both the public and private sectors.
At FLAC, we’re practitioners first, educators second. Why does this matter? Because we’re out there, doing, day in, day out, everything we’ve learned, everything we know, is battle-tested and ready to share.
It’s been said that combat is the fiery crucible in which true heroes are forged… As the most-called Public Inquiry witness on arboricultural matters, JFL might not be a hero, but he’s certainly got abundant live fire experience!
But we are also educators. FLAC CPD and training is led jointly by our Principal and Ben Abbatt. Ben has extensive local government and consultancy experience, and is a LANTRA freelance instructor/ examiner for both the Basic and the Professional Tree Inspection courses. He has provided training widely in the UK and overseas. Like JFL, Ben’s background includes many years on the tools, at the end of a rope.
Meanwhile, JFL is one of only a handful of people to be awarded Licensed Lecturer status in Visual Tree Assessment, by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. He was recommended for this appointment by Professor Claus Mattheck personally.
Tree risk assessment & control
We offer a number of courses based on the internationally adopted THREATS methodology. These range from entry-level to advanced, and can also include LANTRA courses delivered by Ben.
Click here to download our current prospectus.
Good though it is, LANTRA PTI will only take you so far: that’s why we have developed the Tree Inspection Accelerator. The Accelerator competency is designed as a bolt-on to the 3-day PTI, and covers advanced learning on i) the identification, assessment, & management of wood decay in trees, and ii) the THREATS training package.
There are three ways to ride the Accelerator:
- Take the PTI with us and add two more days
- Take the PTI with us and defer the last two days to any time within three years
- If you already have the PTI*, just book in for the decay and THREATS days
*Passed within the last five years, or take the PTI Refresher, which we can also provide.
Veteran trees
Having appeared at eight Public Inquiries on this topic, JFL has developed the ultimate planning-related CPD day on veteran trees. This covers their identification both for planning purposes (using RAVEN 2), and in relation to BNG.
Topics covered include:
- An introduction to lichen on trees
- Tree-related fungi of higher conservation significance
- Ecology, habitat & conservation of saproxylic invertebrates
- Morpho-physiology & crown management of veteran trees
- Relevant appeal decisions
Ancient woodland indicator plants*
In a first-of-its-kind CPD event, join us for an introduction to this fascinating and highly specialist area of botany. This course covers identification of key species, as well as survey methods, data recording, and qualitative assessment of the indicator suite.
At the heart of this unique training day is our Principal’s latest creation, WISDOM (for Woodland Indicators: Strength Distribution & Occurrence Matrix).
WISDOM provides users with a county-level species list for ancient woodland indicator plants, attributing each species with an indicator strength rating. It enables compartment-level DAFOR recording, and computation of the relative Botanical Value of woodland ground flora. Our system revolutionises the field of ancient woodland indicator surveying: if this is how you spend your spring, you need WISDOM.
*This course runs during the indicator season(April & May only)
FLAC. THE SEMINAR.
Our annual flagship offering: three days of apex predator CPD. Click here to download a summary of this year’s event. Quite simply, there is nothing else like this available.
Bespoke masterclasses
Pick ‘n’ mix from a smorgasbord of the above, or add in a tapas selection to create a unique meze experience, choosing from a menu that includes Michelin Star-worthy lectures on statutory tree protection, trees & heritage matters, and preparing for cross-examination. Whether you want one, two, three courses, or a full tasting menu, we’re here for it.
Hungry for knowledge?
Email cpdevents@flac.uk.com to register interest in any of the above, or to enquire about a bespoke programme.
