Who we are

Who we are

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is the leading wildlife conservation charity working to protect and enhance the wildlife and habitats of Nottinghamshire.

What we do

We care for dozens of nature reserves across the county, including a mixture of valuable wildlife habitats ranging from beautiful wildflower meadows to splendid ancient woodlands.  We engage the local community through events, education and volunteering opportunities and seek to ensure our county is a healthy and wildlife rich place to live.

We are a leading voice in standing up for wildlife and the environment. Particular attention is given to positively influencing the planning process at the district, county and regional levels. We also work nationally in partnership with sister Wildlife Trusts.

Not only do we manage our own land, we also advise other landowners how to manage their land to benefit wildlife. We are always looking for new ways to secure the future of the county’s natural world and we are currently developing a range of projects that link habitats and landowners over large areas of land and seek to influence the management of whole landscapes, placing wildlife conservation at the heart of decision making.

We aim to creating a wilder future for Nottinghamshire, with a vision to recreate and reconnect our fragmented landscape. This involves restoring large areas of habitat, improving the connections between greenspaces and making the wider landscape more wildlife friendly. With your help we can shape a bright future for the wildlife and people of the county.

Governance

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is run by a Council of Trustees according to its Memorandum and Articles of Association and Regulations. Decision making is undertaken by Trustees at Council meetings and at the Annual General Meeting for members.

We are also a partner in the largest voluntary organisation in the UK concerned with all aspects of wildlife conservation, The Wildlife Trusts. This partnership of 46 individual Trusts manages more than 2,300 nature reserves and has more than 800,000 members.

As a registered charity, we also submit accounts to the Charity Commission where more details of our activity can be viewed.

Vision

The Trust's vision is for Nottinghamshire’s people and wildlife to thrive together.

We believe:

  • The natural world is valuable in its own right and is under threat
  • People are part of the natural world and we depend upon it for our existence
  • Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a healthy, wildlife-rich natural world
  • It is vital that we work with others because we all have the power to make a positive impact on the nature and climate emergencies

 

Our Trustees

Nick Parsons

Nick Parsons Chair of Trustees

Nick Parsons
Chair of Trustees

Hello my name is Nick Parsons, I am Chair to the Council of Trustees of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Committees: Nature Recovery Committee, Sustainability Committee, Nottingham Urban Wildlife Scheme (NUWS) and the Council

I have been a trustee of NWT for over 20 years and have always had a particular interest in urban wildlife. I was born and raised in South Yorkshire before studying History at University in Nottingham.

I am a solicitor and was a partner at a national law firm Browne Jacobson for twenty five years and am now an active consultant for them. I specialised in civil litigation, defending claims for clinical negligence and personal injury on behalf of the NHS, local authorities and their insurers. I have a particular expertise in large scale group action claims and have taken a number of cases to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. I have also been instructed in several public inquiries where I represented public bodies.

As a partner I led a department of 250 lawyers and support staff and was a long-time member of my firm's Strategy Board.

For the last few years I have been a Director, shareholder and guide in Oriole Birding a travel company specialising in birdwatching and wildlife holidays in the U.K. and abroad.

Over the years I have been a trustee of a number of small charities and enjoy trying to put something back. As Chair my efforts are now focussed on helping the Trust to meet the existential threats posed by the ecological and climate crises. Now is the time for Society to act and we are keen to encourage as many people in Nottinghamshire to join us on the green barricades. It's a battle we have to win and we need your support.

A longstanding but as yet unfulfilled ambition is to spend more time outdoors than indoors, and my real passion is birdwatching. I became a birder as a young boy on a holiday to Scotland when one morning on a family walk I found a Pied Flycatcher and a Hen Harrier. That was it, I was hooked! 

I live with my partner Jane and our teenage daughter. As a proud Yorkshireman I have a deep love of  cricket, but enjoy most sports. I still enjoy history, archaeology and I own an allotment.

Colin Gibson

Colin Gibson Trustee

Colin Gibson
Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of Trustees

Hello my name is Colin Gibson, I am a Hon Treasurer and Trustee for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Committees: Sustainability Committee, Finance Sub-Committee (Chair), H&S Working Group, HR Working Group and the Council.

I was bought up in the Home Counties and after taking a degree in geography and economics at London University (Bedford College, amongst the wildlife of Regents Park) I became a tax inspector, moved to rural North Yorkshire and married my wife Carol. 

After running a Grimsby tax office in the 1970’s my work life led to specialisation in fraud investigation, we arrived in West Bridgford in 1983, now with boys aged 8 and 5, where we have remained.  I was by then in charge of the Inland Revenue counter fraud office covering most of eastern England and later had national training and senior management roles in the same organisation.  I moved into the Senior Civil Service in 2000 managing Valuation and by the time I retired in 2010 from what was then HMRC had overseen various esoteric aspects of personal taxation including Inheritance Tax as well as having management responsibility for compliance in what is now called specialist personal tax – which incidentally included responsibility for oversight of Charities.

Carol taught in several Nottingham schools, the family grew up and we travelled a lot, initially in Europe and then further afield enjoying in particular the Middle and Far East.

Though working across UK restricted my involvement in local activities I was at times a governor at several West Bridgford schools. After I retired became more involved in volunteering, including  Friends of Bridgford Park and as a trustee of Nottingham Housing Advice.  When cuts sadly led to NHAs demise I applied, having been an inactive member for many years, to become a trustee of NWT.  Once accepted in late 2015 I was somewhat disconcerted by very quickly being invited to become Treasurer  –  but I am enjoying using my management experience to settle into that role as I learn more about the organisation.

Outside work we know from experience the need to value every day as it comes; we continue to travel and enjoy living close to our 3 grandchildren.  As geographers we thoroughly enjoy the outdoors, in particular landscape and flora - though NWT has spurred us to acquiring better binoculars and starting to learn more about birdlife too!  We have a personal target to visit every NWT site within the next 2 years.  We belong to a local Amateur Dramatic Society (inevitably I am Treasurer), are involved in local politics and I’m very pleased indeed to have more time to work on our house and garden.

Katherine Wilson

Katherine Wilson Trustee

Katherine Wilson
Trustee and Director NWT Trading Limited

Hello my name is Katherine Wilson, I am a Trustee for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Committee: NWTTL Director (Chair), The Council.

I grew up on a small dairy farm in Northamptonshire and moved to Nottingham as an undergraduate.

I have had a 25-year career in marketing working in a diverse range of organisations including Anchor Trust, Capital Shopping Centres plc, British Waterways and the Museums Libraries and Archives Council. Since 2008 have provided marketing support and consultancy via my company number8marketing Ltd. Alongside this I am a designer working in traditional stained glass and contemporary fused glass, selling my work via my website, in galleries and at contemporary craft events.

For the past 6 years I have been a Waterway Partnership member (strategic volunteer) for The Canal and River Trust where I initiated projects including community attitudes benchmarking and increasing participation in running along waterway paths.

My hobbies include enjoying the arts, running and walking my two whippets. My usual outdoors haunts are the Grantham Canal towpath, Rushcliffe Country Park and the Clifton River Trent path.

I am married with a teenage daughter.

Shilpa Shah

Shilpa Shah Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Trustee

Shilpa Shah
Trustee

Hello my name is Shilpa Shah, I am a Trustee for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Committee: Sustainability Committee, Council.

I was called to the Bar after completing a Masters Degree, but then left behind the bright lights (and cement) of London to practice at Ropewalk Chambers. Moving to North Notts (Walesby) has been like a breath of fresh air and I cannot imagine being as happy anywhere else as I am living and working in this County. 

I work in Nottingham predominantly within the realms of civil work, regulatory matters for local and borough councils, medical and professional disciplinary matters – and I lay claim to a particular interest and speciality in legal costs (which gets most lawyers running for the hills!). I am a member on the Insurers’ Fraud Special Counsel Panel, which certainly leads to fascinating work and some dramatic trials.

In my out of work life I have an active interest in exploring and appreciating the beauty of England (Wales and Scotland too!). With a young family of my own, we very much made the most of our English Heritage and National Trust Memberships – and I am hoping to do the same with my Nottinghamshire Wildlife Membership. 

It is difficult to say how I have become interested in wildlife and the environment.  I suspect my mum will attribute it back from the age of 4 when I would bring back stray worms and woodlice found rooming around the pavements of London and attempt to tend for in my bedroom.

I think my fellow Trustees share the sentiment that it is just impossible to put into words the pleasure our natural environment can give us – and how essential it is that we raise awareness and better care for and protect the natural world around us. 

I am aiming to get as involved as I can in supporting and promoting the Trusts’ stated goal of standing up for wildlife and the environment. What a great aim to have!

Emma Sherburn

Emma Sherburn, Youth Trustee

Emma Sherburn
Trustee

Hello, I’m Emma and I’m a Trustee for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Committees: The Council, Idle Valley Reserve Management Committee, Sustainability Committee, People & Nature Committee.

I’ve grown up in North Nottinghamshire and been lucky enough to live nearby to the Idle Valley Nature Reserve, which has been a real haven for accessing nature from an early age. Whilst completing my A-levels, I volunteered in the Rural Learning Centre there and met so many wonderful visitors. Being able to easily access nature drove my interest in the environment and led to me studying Geography at Durham University, focussing my modules on water and environmental management. This was followed by a Master’s degree, MSc Environmental Technology, at Imperial College London, specialising in integrated water management and sponsored by Anglian Water. As part of this, I worked in the Innovation team as a researcher. I’m now working at Mott MacDonald working on carbon strategy and management in the water sector.

Through my education, I’ve learned a lot about the theory and principles of environmental management, and this is something I’m eager to build on working in this role. I’m a keen advocate of stakeholder engagement in decision making which is why the opportunity to be involved as a Youth Trustee is so exciting. I wholly support the aim of increased diversity and inclusion across the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to ensure nature is a cornerstone of the community enabled through outreach and enhanced accessibility. I look forward to contributing towards local environmental policy and putting into practice my academic knowledge, to help improve the wider environment and protect nature in Nottinghamshire.

In my free time, I’m an avid cook, currently building a repertoire of plant-based recipes, and there is always a cake to sample in my kitchen. I love exploring new places, both the countryside and cities, since both have a lot to offer and I hope to be able to explore more natural beauty spots across the UK. I’ve always enjoyed being active, getting involved in rowing and badminton at university, and more recently running, to keep myself healthy.

Steve Clifton

Steve Clifton, Trustee

Steve Clifton
Trustee

Hello my name is Steve Clifton. I am a Trustee of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
I sit on the Nature Recovery Committee and Council

Born and bred near Eastwood on the edge of the Erewash Valley in west Nottinghamshire, I first became interested in the natural environment whilst studying for my A levels. I soon joined the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in 1987 and went on to study environmental management at university.  It was a placement working on a bird-rich wetland nature reserve in southern Germany that really cemented my interest in pursuing a career in nature conservation.

After taking a post-graduate course in conservation management, I briefly worked for the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and the Countryside Council for Wales before joining English Nature as a conservation officer for Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire in 1996. It was during this time that I was involved in the protection and notification of new Sites of Special Scientific Interest (including the Trust’s Misson Carr and Besthorpe nature reserves) and the designation of the Charnwood Lodge and Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserves.  For the past 10 years I have worked for Natural England’s national Protected Sites Team as a senior regulation and enforcement specialist adviser.

Now residing in Calverton with my wife Vicky and my 13-year-old twins, when I have the time and energy I enjoy keeping fit, playing six-a-side football badly, live music, hillwalking, birdwatching and following the trials and tribulations of Notts County football club.

Ellie Brodie

Ellie Brodie

Ellie Brodie
Trustee

Committees: Nature Recovery Committee and Council.

I grew up in the village of Lowdham between Nottingham and Newark and spent my childhood playing in the surrounding fields and the Cocker Beck, the stream running through the village. Water vole were a common sight on the banks of the Cocker Beck and flooding wasn’t something I experienced or worried about. This has changed of course. Over the last 20 years Lowdham has flooded repeatedly and water vole have been pushed to the brink of extinction – these being just two examples of the climate and nature emergencies at play.

I studied politics and have spent my career trying to influence the government of the day on policies ranging from children’s services and community development to land ownership. I love hillwalking and being outdoors though have mostly been a city dweller - from Sheffield to Buenos Aires, from London to Edinburgh and, of course, Nottingham.

I returned home to Nottingham to work for the national arm of the Wildlife Trusts in 2016 where I led the Trusts’ work to influence government policy on land management. I worked on a huge range of fascinating and important topics – from restoring peatlands and the badger cull to pesticides campaigns and the Agriculture Bill. At this time, I also deepened my interest in complementary therapies and trained to become a biodynamic craniosacral therapist.

Now I am self-employed and divide my time between consultancy work and private practice as a craniosacral therapist. Being a trustee of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is a great privilege. The role brings together knowledge and skills I’ve gained over my career with my love of the city and county, as well as my desire to play my part in tackling the nature and climate crisis.

Katherine Hart

Katherine Hart, Youth Trustee

Katherine Hart
Youth Trustee

I joined the Trust as a Youth Trustee in 2022. My academic background is in Geography, having graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2019. During this time, I held various voluntary and paid roles with the Students Union at UoN. I went on to train in Higher Education management, completing the Ambitious Futures Graduate Management programme at the University of Nottingham. Alongside my training, I held various roles at the University of Nottingham and Sheffield Hallam University, including: 

  • Educational Development Project Officer (University of Nottingham)
  • Strategic Procurement and Financial Analysis Officer (Sheffield Hallam)
  • Excel in Science Project Manager (University of Nottingham)

Post Ambitious Futures, I worked as a Project Coordinator on Research England's £10million funded 'Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE)' project, responsible for the management of project activity at the University of Nottingham and liaison with other project partners. This project aimed to establish 'what works' in engaging academic evidence with public policy, with the aim of delivering policy, which was stronger, better informed and delivered better value for public spend.

Most recently, I have joined Overton as an Analyst, helping policy actors, professionals and influencers to identify and track their policy impact. I am also studying for a part-time PhD with the University of Nottingham, with a focus on freshwater management policy in the UK. In my spare time, I am a keen gardener, baker and hiker.

Alex Flint

Alex Flint stood in front a trees and a brick wall

Alex Flint
Trustee

I’m the CEO of It’s in Nottingham, an independent not-for-profit organisation with the primary purpose of supporting and collaborating with retail, hospitality, leisure, and office sector businesses to achieve economic growth across Nottingham city centre.

As part of our overall strategy for the city, It’s in Nottingham focus a significant amount of resource into achieving a green and healthy living city, a strategy which is very close to my heart. As well as enjoying the wellness benefits of the city's green spaces, I live close to Cotgrave Country Park in Nottinghamshire and I feel very fortunate to have Nottinghamshire’s open countryside on my doorstep.

Prior to this role, my career has been focused on managing major leisure and tourism assets both in the UK and Australia.  This includes full accountability for the management of a pristine 365ha Alpine Village and Ski Resort in the Victoria Alps.  

Outside of work I have a lifelong passion for adventure sports, especially in an alpine environment.  This interest has given me the unique opportunity to appreciate the importance of conservation and visit some very remote areas around the world.

I look forward to supporting the NWT team as a trustee.  A key focus for me will be to positively encourage as many people as possible to take action to support nature in their respective local communities.  

Ruben Borsje

Ruben Borsje

Ruben Borsje
Trustee

Hello, I am Ruben Borsje, and I am a co-opted Trustee for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.  

I was born and raised in the Netherlands but in 2019 I exchanged the low-lying polders of Holland for the rolling hills of Nottinghamshire. I now live in Keyworth with my wife, Lisa, and our cat, Kiki.   

Before moving here, I accomplished a BSc degree in Civil Engineering and a MSc degree in Coastal Engineering. I spent time in rural Indonesia for my dissertation and subsequently spent time working in Lagos, Nigeria. I am now working as a senior consultant with Royal HaskoningDHV, focused on the resilience of coastal communities and mitigating the impact of climate change, with projects ranging from local engineering schemes to nationwide policy and management studies. I have a keen interest in natural flood and erosion management: in my opinion, we cannot solve society’s engineering challenges without making the natural system an integral part of it. On a day-to-day basis, my profession exposes me to the effects of climate change, and I therefore have a thorough understanding of the impact of the climate crisis on both our society and the natural world.  

Moving to England has ignited my love for the outdoors and in my free time I like hiking and going on camping trips. One of my personal highlights since moving here is trekking with Lisa along the Pennine Way from Edale in Derbyshire to Middleton-in-Teesdale, experiencing all the landscapes that England has to offer. I love travelling and exploring new places and cultures; I have been lucky enough to visit so many beautiful places in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America - most recently Malaysian Borneo. It is these experiences that have driven me to take up a Trustee role with NWT: truly wild places are disappearing at an alarming rate and if we don’t act now, not many will survive. Where better to start than on my own doorstep? I’m looking forward supporting the Trust’s ambitions for a Wilder Nottinghamshire to be enjoyed by everyone, and to give something back to the city and community that I now call my home. 

Mark Hyde

Mark Hyde stood by a river

Mark Hyde
Trustee

I was born and bred in a small village on the Lincolnshire coast. Historically, our family has always been involved in/ran various horticulture and agricultural businesses, which helped cultivate a huge appreciation for the great outdoors.

After completing my studies in Business at the University of Lincoln, I spent time working within the motor industry, then in various business development roles across Lincolnshire, Cornwall and Buckinghamshire, before settling in Nottingham in 2014.

The majority of my career has been within the construction industry, working with various sectors such as warehousing, residential, education, health and leisure.

Outside of work, I enjoy an active lifestyle and love being out and about in nature. This ranges from exploring coastal walks around Lincolnshire and Cornwall along with regular family visits to the likes of Attenborough Nature Reserve and the Derbyshire Dales. Other passions include various sports, going to the gym, and live music. 

The opportunity to become a trustee is a privilege and gives me the chance to be involved in protecting our local wildlife, whilst helping ensure the public can continue to enjoy the benefits of having natural spaces local to them. 

Graham Osborn

Graham Osborn stood on a rocky outcrop

Graham Obsorn
Trustee

Hi, I’m Graham.

Originally from the South-East of England, I first moved to Nottinghamshire to undertake my BSc in Environmental Science at the University of Nottingham in 2004.

After a brief ‘experience’ of sheep farming in New Zealand, I returned back to the University of Nottingham to complete my master’s in Environmental Law.

In my pursuit of a ‘real job’ I then found myself entering the Water Industry, and working for Thames Water for 6 years, mainly in Environmental Protection.

However, the draw back to the home of Robin Hood (excuse the archery pun!) was too strong, and I found myself back and living in the county, having found my forever home in the east of the county, near Newark.

I am now the Principal Ecologist for Severn Trent, where my work focuses on restoring nature across the Severn Trent region, which includes Nottinghamshire - what’s good for nature is good for water.

With a pair of active children, my spare time is often spent transporting them between sports/activities, cheering them along on the sidelines, and coaching them rugby.

I am extremely passionate about the environment and feel that by contributing to the Wildlife Trust as a Trustee I can help to ensure we return the places we live to the future generations who we borrowed it from in a better condition.

I am excited to become one of the Trustees for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and am thrilled to be able to join in on the journey that I can already see is well underway in the county.

Lauren Moore

Lauren Moore portrait photo

Lauren Moore
Trustee

Hello, my name is Lauren Moore and I am a co-opted trustee of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Nature has been rooted in my passions, career and hobbies for as long as I can remember. I have completed a BSc, MSc, and PhD in wildlife conservation and management, the latter bringing me to Nottingham several years ago. I've been lucky to work on conservation projects around the world, such as Brazil and Madagascar, but felt most at home when working with and for Nottinghamshire's communities and wildlife during my PhD. Currently I work on a national wildlife monitoring programme to assess the status of species amidst the current ecological crisis and help prioritise national conservation action. Alongside this, I work as an adviser to organisations such as the IUCN and Natural England to develop conservation strategies for vulnerable species such as hedgehogs.

During my 12 year career in conservation (and counting!) and previous roles within the Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB, and an ecological consultancy, I've seen first hand the value of stakeholder engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration for assessing environmental issues and devising appropriate solutions. I'm also an avid science communicator and advocate of outreach for a range of audiences, having delivered talks and workshops at the Natural History Museum in Wollaton, primary schools, University of the 3rd Age (u3a) and more, even appearing on national TV and radio! For me, the power of nature conservation lies in people's hands; I'm keen to work with people from all walks of life to help build a bigger and bolder movement for nature.

Outside of work, I enjoy sailing on the River Trent, hiking, attending to my wildlife-friendly garden, going to live music, and dancing (everything from ballet to the Jive!).

I believe that the protection of the natural world relies on collaboration. I'm hopeful that with a united effort, we can safeguard the environment for generations to come. Now as a Trustee for NWT, I look forward to driving forward the Trust's strategy and making positive changes for Nottinghamshire's environment.

Billy Howard

Billy Howard

Billy Howard
Youth Trustee

Hello, my name is Billy Howard, and I am a co-opted Youth Trustee for the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

I am a PhD candidate at Nottingham Trent University, researching the behavioural ecology and ecological impacts of beavers in the Idle Valley Nature Reserve.

I have always been passionate about animals and nature. My passion for animals and nature led me to pursue a conservation and ecosystem restoration career. I started volunteering in conservation when I was 16, getting on a plane two days after my last GCSE exam. I earned my undergraduate degree in International Wildlife Biology at the University of South Wales, which allowed me to study wildlife ecology in many countries, including the UK, Borneo, Mexico, and South Africa. These experiences shaped my understanding of ecology and the natural world, particularly the role of keystone species in shaping landscapes and supporting biodiversity.

Seeing the abundance and diversity of wildlife in landscapes shaped by humans and keystone species inspired me to focus on restoring British nature. I pursued this goal by earning a Master of Research in Endangered Species Recovery at Nottingham Trent University. My research project involved working with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to conduct baseline surveys and habitat suitability analysis for the beaver reintroduction at the Idle Valley Nature Reserve. During this project, I identified gaps in understanding that would be valuable to aid conservationists, which led to my current PhD research.

I am excited to be involved in a broader range of conservation and restoration projects as a trustee for the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading a good book, making good food, exercising and doing martial arts. However, my favourite way to unwind is still immersing myself in nature.

Our senior management

Paul Wilkinson – Chief Executive

Paul Wilkinson, CEO of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust at Members Day & AGM 2019

Paul Wilkinson, CEO Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Credit Alan Hurst

Paul Wilkinson
Chief Executive

"I developed my love of the natural world while growing up in, and exploring the narrow lanes and fields near, my family home in Mansfield, in West Nottinghamshire.

I have been lucky enough to spend my further education and career to date following this passion, whilst trying to make the world richer in wildlife and inspiring and supporting more people to discover and connect with the amazing wildlife we have here in the UK, right on our doorsteps.

Before joining the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust as CEO in January 2019, I worked in the UK Office of The Wildlife Trusts, where I led on national policy issues such as farming, planning and water, our landscape scale conservation vision of Living Landscapes, and most recently on national strategic relationships with businesses and key funders. I have also worked for the Wildlife Trusts in the East of England on regional policy issues, and with Norfolk County Council and a small environmental education charity.

I’m delighted to be back in Nottinghamshire and am looking forward to bringing my skills, knowledge and passion for the cause to my work with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust."

Erin McDaid – Head of Communications and Marketing

Erin McDaid – Head of Communications and Marketing

Erin McDaid
Head of Communications and Marketing

Having joined the Trust in 1993 as Volunteer Coordinator for the Trust’s work across the City of Nottingham, Erin’s interest and aptitude for public relations was spotted early on by the Trust’s first Chief Executive Peter Stone. Whilst Erin has since lead a range of activities for the Trust including local group development, fundraising and the Trust’s ground breaking Wildlife in the City programme - the majority of his time with the Trust has been focussed on communications and public relations.

Erin is a strong advocate of the value of local and regional media in building the Trust’s profile, supporter base and influence. Nottingham born and raised, Erin is proud to lead a motivated and creative team responsible for the Trust’s external communications, marketing, and public affairs as the Trust seeks to create a Wilder Nottinghamshire.

Janice Bradley MBE – Head of Nature Recovery (North)

Janice Bradley MBE – Head of Conservation

Janice Bradley MBE
Head of Nature Recovery (North)

"I am a Chartered Environmentalist and full Member of CEEM and have over two decades of experience as a professional ecologist in the public, commercial and third sectors. I lead on all of our major landscape-scale conservation programmes and have a wealth of experience in managing multi-partner projects. I am acquainted with the wildlife and habitats of the county and lead negotiations with mineral extraction organisations in regards to the restoration of sites after the cessation of commercial operations."

Wayne Ball - Head of Nature Recovery (South)

"Having grown up and lived around the Sherwood Forest area for most of my life I have developed a love for environment and rich history the area has to offer. I have been interested in wildlife for as long as I can remember, with some of my earliest memories being sitting at my grandparent’s house watching tree sparrows in their garden and regularly being allowed out of class at primary school to work on the wildlife pond.  

I have been fortunate enough to carry this interest into my career following the completion of my further education at the University of Nottingham. I started my career as a ranger, working and volunteering at a number of local sites including Rufford Country Park, Sherwood Forest and Sherwood Pines before moving to South Derbyshire where I worked for Severn Trent Water at Foremark and Staunton Harold Reservoirs.  

I returned to Nottinghamshire to work as Sustainable Landscape Officer with the Sherwood Forest Trust where I worked with landowners, local authorities and partners to protect and restore habitats across the Sherwood Forest landscape. I then worked for the Canal & River Trust for almost 10 years, initially working as a Volunteering Development Coordinator, where I led on developing and growing volunteering across the East Midlands region, before becoming an Area Operations Manager where I lead a team that was responsible for the management and maintenance of 115km of waterway in Derbyshire and Leicestershire.  

I am very happy to have joined the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and I am looking forward to using my knowledge and experience to support nature recovery across the county."

Phil Slocombe – Head of Business Support & Development

Phil Slocombe

Phil Slocombe
Head of Business Support and Development

"I am a qualified management accountant (ACMA) who is well versed in on time / on budget delivery of infrastructure and business transformation projects. I have also worked as a Procurement Director, focused on best value through collaboration and negotiation. I am delighted to work with the Trust after a career in industry, using these skills for a more worthwhile purpose.

I am also a Trustee of Citizens Advice in Nottingham, an organisation which helps one in three of the population resolve personal challenges at some point in their lives. Partly through this connection, I appreciate the benefits to personal wellbeing that involvement with nature brings, and would like to see the widest possible involvement of people with our movement. I've recently started an MA in Philanthropic Studies, which includes an academic dimension to this mutually beneficial process of giving and receiving.

Home life with my wife is mainly taken up with horses and chickens (my wife rides, I muck out!). We've recently planted 5 acres of native woodland, which is coming along nicely. I like to note the annual spread of cowslips, which reminds me of childhood on the Somerset Levels."

Liz Fleuty - Head of People and Nature

Liz Fleuty

Liz Fleuty
Head of People & Nature

"I was incredibly lucky to grow up in rural Staffordshire, so have always been surrounded by nature and enjoyed spending as much time outdoors as possible. Moving to Nottingham to study Social Sciences was a big change, and I became much more aware of the value of green spaces in and around the city.

On completing my degree I realised I needed to get back to the countryside, and started a training course in practical environmental skills where we worked on numerous Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust reserves. Deciding this was the career path for me, I then completed qualifications in countryside management and forestry at Brackenhurst College before working in the forestry sector where I spent a planting season helping to create the National Forest. 

Since then, I've worked in a number of roles across Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire focusing on connecting more people to nature, including a brief stint as a horseback warden in and around Newstead Village and managing the Lincolnshire Limewoods Project. Prior to joining Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, I worked as Community Engagement Manager for Canal & River Trust in the East Midlands. 

In my spare time I am an enthusiastic triathlete, mainly so that I can enjoy the delicious baked goods from the cafes at Attenborough and Idle Valley. When I'm not swimming, cycling or running I enjoy a long walk in the countryside, a spot of photography and breadmaking."

Brown Hare Notts Wt cpt Elliott Neep NeepImages.com (10)

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Attenborough Centre NottsWT cpt Robert Mackin

  Attenborough Centre © Robert Mackin

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