Kate Tobin Email & Phone Number

National

Leading for FC Policy Advice Team on the development of the Defra-led programme for Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). Engagement in all 5 LNRS pilots followed by development of the workstreams required to prepare for rollout of LNRSs across England. Demonstrating the role of forestry in nature recovery. Collaborative working, developing partnerships, data, evidence, stakeholder engagement, alignment of strategic planning for places, alignment of incentives and delivery mechanisms, communications. training.

Haldon Hill

Representing the Forestry Commission in partnership working in the South West, including working with industry groups, protected landscapes, water catchment groups, LEADER, LEPs and other grants. Communications with private and public sector on grants, legislation, initiatives, innovations, events and general advice.

Princetown

Support for Dartmoor farmers in training, funding, project development, information and advice. Running events, farm walks and talks for farmers.

Honiton/Sidmouth

A short contract with the AONB to run some informal grants sessions with farmers and foresters.

Hemyock

Advice on funding and project development, running workshops, funding fairs, network development. Project development and process for EU LEADER programme.

Seaton

Developing wetland reserve, land acquisition, planning applications, running events and setting up volunteer groups.

East Devon

Interpretation and promotion of ancient and heritage trees, events, education and publications. Bringing together tree wardens and wildlife specialists through Devon Ancient Tree Forum. Landscape history, surveying, best practice advice.

South West

Temporary contract to audit safety practices on all South West reserves.

Managing suites of nature reserves, staff, budgets and all related activity and events. Habitats included woodland, grassland, heathland, saltmarsh, reclaimed landfill site, Victorian landscaped gardens, iron age hillfort, Strong focus on community engagement, urban fringe issues, environmental education. During this period studied for my Diploma in Surveying while working full time.

Southampton, United Kingdom

Practical work, events, environmental education and coordinating volunteers. Practical tasks primarily path construction and repair, fencing, woodland furniture, bridge building, coppicing and glade creation, hay cut on the 100 acres of reinstated landfill. Regular use of ATV, dumper, digger and tractor with flail (MO1), as well as chainsaws and brushcutters. Designed and ran a bespoke education programme with a lot of use of original games, living history and role play, as well as Earth Education and familiar environmental education. Built up a strong team of volunteers to work alongside the rangers and always had a couple of full time young volunteers who were working towards their own career in conservation - almost all went on to employment after training with us.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Nine months of great voluntary experience, learning a wide range of practical skills with the professional midweek volunteer group and running a nature reserves in school grounds project for primary schools in Tipton, Sandwell and Dudley. Learnt to drive a transit and loaded trailer through rush hour city traffic and to reverse it into the tightest of corners. I dug lots of ponds and planted many meadows and hedges into playing fields stretched over old coal workings. And got the chance to lead two volunteer teams building a Hermann Tortoise sanctuary in Corsica. Also 4 years beforehand of great weekend tasks and tours during my time at Birmingham Uni. Thank you for the opportunity, BTCV.

Killerton House

Holiday job helping to look after the historic costumes at Killerton House and set up exhibitions, under the expert guidance of the costume curator at the time. I had helped as a volunteer for a couple of years beforehand and it was a great chance to spend the summer working on my hobby.

Diploma, Surveying (Rural Studies), Distinction

Modules: Rural Land Use, Rural Business Estate Management, Agriculture, Valuation, Economics, Farm Management and National Taxation.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), French Language And Literature, First

Activities and Societies: Chair of the University Conservation Volunteers 1987/88 Final year options included Medieval French, Renaissance.

A Levels: French, Maths, Economics