I'm a programme manager for a local Rivers Trust working with local authorities, water companies, government bodies, landowners and managers, and the local communities in finding solutions to environmental problems in rural areas of the River Thames basin.

Woodland creation is an area of my work and the focus of this Fellowship. These projects are driven by funding, and funding is driven by the requirement of densely planting large numbers of trees. These projects don't always create ecologically rich woodlands that can boast many additional benefits to nature and local communities, such as areas of open grassland and wetlands. However, with emerging environmental markets like biodiversity net gain, and a greater desire to develop projects that deliver a range of positive outcomes, I hope to learn of alternative methods to woodland creation that can complement tree planting while saving time and expense, whilst remaining financially viable for the landowner.

This will require a change of mindset for the project managers, funders and political persons who often pledge to plant large numbers of trees, to pledging area of woodland created that is rich in biodiversity. Something I seek to learn how to achieve.