Conservation philosophy, policy development, organisational analysis and reflection, team building and inspiration

Ecological assessment, site management planning, natural history field skills and training

Community involvement in conservation, people and nature, nature and culture

For the last ten years I have offered freelance consultancy services on a variety of subjects.  My clients have included the Wildlife Trusts, the former Countryside Agency, Natural England, Devon County Council, Exmoor National Park and others.  

Examples of projects are listed below.

I can help organisations think more effectively about how they work.  Explore strategic direction, manage change, consider new ways of working.  I provide a thoughtful sounding board for developing ideas, listening, asking searching questions, and reflecting back well-articulated proposals.

I can help organisations develop community involvement in nature conservation.  Involving communities in the ownership of environmental initiatives, and developing people-centred working methods.  I can coach organisations on how to develop their attitude and aptitude for involving people more effectively in their work.

I can help take forward landscape-scale habitat conservation.  Understanding the issues involved in developing landscape-scale agendas, from principles of integrated land use, through map-based prioritisation, to practical management regimes on the ground.

I can help explore questions around nature and culture.  The integration of ecological and cultural values in rural contexts, and the social role of the natural world.  I can help organisations develop their integrated thinking in this exciting and developing field.

I can provide nature-based team building experiences.  Using natural settings to develop working relationships and plan for the future.  I have access to a fantastic wild, relaxing woodland centre.

I can help develop field skills in botany and general natural history.  I am a field botanist and general naturalist, with a deep enthusiasm for teaching people about the natural world.

I can use bushcraft as a vehicle for team activities, practical training.  I am a qualified bushcraft practitioner, and can train people in firelighting, shelter building, wild food gathering, green woodworking and animal tracking.

Examples of projects undertaken:

• Agriculture and conservation discussion document – for South West Wildlife Trusts (2013)
• Strategy for Somerset Local Nature Partnership – for Somerset Wildlife Trust (2012)
• High Nature Value Farmland in the Blackdown Hills (subcontracted by Cumulus Consultants) – for Devon County Council/SW Protected Landscapes (2011)
• Facilitated workshops on community engagement policy – for the Wildlife Trusts (2011)
• Review and policy development for Living Landscapes projects – for SWWT (2010)
• Review of Working Woodlands initiative – for Tamar Valley AONB (2008)
• Rebuilding Biodiversity Methodology – for SWWT (2004)
• South West Nature Map – facilitation of 7 county partnerships to identify regional Strategic Nature Areas – for SWWT and Natural England (2004)
• Opportunity mapping for habitat restoration in England – Research Report no.xxx – for English Nature (2005)
• ‘The Land Between the Moors’ – a Land Management Strategy for the Culm Measures – for the Countryside Agency (2003)