What is your area of expertise in the field of conservation? I believe that conservation has to be undertaken within the broader context of sustainable development. Before I retired in 2021, I worked for over three decades with international organisations including the European Commission, European Environment Agency, FAO, IUCN, and UNEP on many projects and initiatives relating to sustainable mountain development around the world.
What are the key issues you are engaged with at the moment? I am now mainly involved with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which is primarily implemented in biosphere reserves. These regional-scale initiatives for sustainable development always include conservation as a key element.
What could people in the outdoors do to protect and minimize their impact on the type of habitats you focus on? Be aware of the sensitivity of particular species and habitats, and that this varies depending on season and weather, so sometimes it is best not to go to particular places. And avoid scree running!
How and why did you become involved with EOCA? Nick Brown of Nikwax has attended conferences I have organized, and introduced me to EOCA. I am a great believer in partnerships, and also feel that the recreational ‘industry’ should be reinvesting in the places and people that its users visit.
Favourite wild place: I don’t have any favourites, and different places are wild for different reasons under different conditions…
Favourite outdoor activity: I am a keen mountaineer and back-country skier. I also enjoy experiencing and photographing mountain landscapes and weather.
Perfect day: When I can see a long way and it is not raining hard.
