Professor Rob McKenzie appointed chair of Research Advisory Committee.

We are delighted that Professor Rob McKenzie has agreed to chair our Research Advisory Committee.

Rob McKenzie is an atmospheric scientist whose interest in the urban forest began in the late 1980s when undertook the first study on the effect of trees on ozone production. Further works on the role of trees in urban sustainability included a detailed census of the West Midlands’ urban forest and studies on the pros and cons of green walls and street trees on the removal of road traffic pollution.

Rob became the inaugural Director of the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BiFoR) in November 2013. BiFoR aims to be an internationally leading Institute that will address two fundamental and interrelated challenges (a) the impact of climate and environment change on woodlands and (b) the resilience of trees to invasive pests and diseases.

Jonathan Banks, who works with Barletts Tree Experts, has been appointed as Vice Chair.