Silvestor Forestry Platform
Cultivating a brand new learning experience for foresters and beyond
Designing the digital forest
The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), a leading voice in the forestry sector, understood the vital need for a central hub where professionals could access high-quality online courses and resources. Their vision was to create a new learning platform that would serve not only their members but also a wider community of stakeholders.
While initially conceived as a home for the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) course we were already developing, this project quickly evolved into something far grander. Our task was to design and build this brand-new platform from the ground up, giving it an identity that would resonate with the entire forestry sector.
Our design team was tasked with crafting a brand that would capture the essence of forestry education. After exploring several options, one name emerged as the clear favourite: "Silvestor." This name cleverly combines elements from "Silviculture," "Forestry," and "Arbor," all core specialisms within the sector that the ICF champions. It also beautifully translates from Latin as "Forest Dweller," a truly fitting moniker for a platform dedicated to those who work with trees.
The chosen logo, a stylised cross-section of a tree trunk with rings, symbolises the diverse roles and industries that orbit the central concept of "Forestry." We opted for a vibrant blue colour palette to stand out from the usual green-themed forestry brands and to clearly differentiate Silvestor from the ICF's own brand, as the platform was designed to host content from a variety of forestry organisations, not just the ICF. The tagline, "Growing Knowledge," perfectly encapsulated the platform's mission on multiple levels.
Planting the seeds of a new brand for learning
Branching out from the traditional LMS
With the brand firmly established, we set about constructing the platform itself. We utilised the robust Moodle software as our foundation, then embarked on extensive customisation to imbue it with the unique Silvestor brand identity. Users are required to register, granting them access to a wealth of resources – both free and paid-for – from various providers.
The inaugural course to be hosted on the platform was, naturally, the ICF's comprehensive UKFS training course. But Silvestor offers much more than just courses; it's a comprehensive digital ecosystem. Foresters can earn digital badges for their Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and the platform also features a dedicated Knowledge Hub, a Directory of Consultants, Webinars, and a Job Board. Importantly, it also hosts content from other respected forestry providers, such as the Centre for Forestry Protection, making it a truly collaborative space.
The ambition for Silvestor is immense. The plan is for it to continually grow and evolve, becoming an indispensable resource for all foresters in the UK and beyond. It will serve as a vital hub for accessing 'Just-In-Time' resources, offering immediate guidance when needed, alongside more extensive courses. This ensures that professionals remain compliant with the latest laws and regulations in forestry, keeping their skills sharp and their knowledge up to date.
We are incredibly proud to have partnered with the ICF to bring Silvestor to life, creating a truly innovative platform that will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the ongoing development and education of the forestry sector.
Continuous professional growth
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