Providing forestry management and woodland creation advice to landowners, the public and local authorities.

Management of 23 nature reserves including woodland, grassland and wetland habitats. Many sites designated SSSIs so partnership working with Natural England, Forestry Commission and local stakeholders required. Role included delivering practical habitat improvement, leading volunteer groups, budgeting and managing rural payment commitments such as HLS and CS HT.

Designing and delivering nature based solutions to increase the resilience of rural communities to the impacts of climate change.

Management and delivery of Cotswolds Rural Skills training programme. This included an annual programme of 70+ stand alone courses in skills such as Dry stone walling, hedgelaying, blacksmithing, stone masonry and thatching. Also responsible for the management and delivery for a range of grant funds with a total output value of over £1million. Grants included the Cotswolds Sustainable Development Fund and the National Grid Dry stone Wall Restoration Fund.

Practical management of public rights of way network. This included the use of chainsaws, chippers, tractors, trailers and brushcutters in order to keep pathways clear and safe for public use.

Practical habitat management, including grasslands, woodlands and SSSI designated nature reserves. Much of this work was done through the leading and coordinating of local volunteer groups that carried out much of the practical work on the reserves. In this role I was also responsible for community engagement with the delivery of the Harbour Watch Volunteer scheme.