What is your area of expertise in the field of conservation? Forest ecology, particularly the ecology of UK ancient semi-natural woodland and tropical rain forests. Restoration ecology, particularly post conflict and disaster management.
What are the key issues you are engaged with at the moment? Post conflict environmental assessment in sub-Saharan Africa and restoration of plantation sites in UK woodlands.
What could people in the outdoors do to protect and minimize their impact on the type of habitats you focus on? In woodland areas avoid letting dogs run free during bird-nesting seasons. Keep dogs to main tracks and footpaths if possible. Avoid picking or damaging plants and fungi unless you are certain that they are widespread. Get involved with woodland conservation management. One of the biggest threats to the conservation values of our woodland is neglect.
How and why did you become involved with EOCA? Catherine Savidge (a past MSc Forestry student at Oxford) , General Manager at EOCA asked me if I’d be interested in being involved – I admire the work that EOCA is doing and the support that the organization is giving to some valuable practical conservation projects. As a keen participant in outdoor sports I also believe that I have a responsibility to contribute to protecting the environment that we all enjoy so much.
Favourite wild place: The Archipelago National Park (Saaristomeren Kansallispuisto) in Finland. Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire.
Favourite outdoor activity: Sailing my dinghy on the sea. An early morning run through an ancient woodland.
Perfect day: Warm autumn sunshine, a long hike through the woods with birds and fungi to spot, finished off with a camp fire and a night under the stars. Or maybe taking the boat out with my girls in a stiff Force 4 and getting lift-off over those wave crests.
