I am a freelance ecologist and foraging teacher. For most of my career I worked for the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh in a variety of management roles, all concerning public education, interpretation, exhibitions and events. Prior to this, I worked for two years as a sylviculturalist for the Forestry Department in Malawi where I worked on indigenous woodland management.

My Fellowship looked at the use of volunteers in conservation and botanic gardens in North America. This resulted in a major rethink of our volunteering policy. I remain interested in volunteering both as a volunteer and a manager.

I have worked in many parts of the world including Africa, Asia and the Middle East and have developed a tremendous respect for the indigenous uses of plants (ethnobotany). I still teach on a number of undergraduate and extramural courses and am currently writing my fourth book. This focuses on ecological recovery following major disruption and the need to consider the future and embrace change when managing areas for conservation.

I am a trustee and board member of several trusts, including an outdoor centre in Lanarkshire and a major lottery trust.