Airren Martin
Ecologist/BNG Officer
The Mersey Forest team works to support the partnership to deliver The Mersey Forest Plan.
Ecologist/BNG Officer
Airren joined The Mersey Forest in November 2023 after earning a degree in wildlife conservation and environmental management.
Passionate about wildlife, Airren loves conducting species and habitat surveys as part of her job. In her spare time, Airren participates in volunteer bat surveys and loves to hike with her dog.
National Trees for Climate Programme Manager
Carl joined the team in April 2000, having worked previously for Groundwork in Wigan and St. Helens. He has over thirty years’ experience of environmental project and programme management, focusing on woodland creation, green infrastructure, community environmental projects and nature recovery.
In his role as Trees for Climate Programme Manager, Carl works with 15 Community Forests and national partners such as National Trust and the Woodland Trust to deliver the most ambitious woodland creation campaign in England, delivering 38% of all new planting in its first four years.
A keen climber, runner and photographer, Carl has always been drawn to nature and the outdoors and hopes to leave a positive legacy in the landscape.
Programmes Manager
Clare has been involved in strategic land management for 30 years and before that worked in the private waste sector.
During her time at The Mersey Forest, Clare has managed a number of large-scale projects including the national Defra funded Trees for Climate programme and is currently working part-time on woodland creation on the Vacant & Derelict Land Discovery project.
Outside of work, Clare is to be found in the garden.
Community Forester
David has worked for The Mersey Forest since December 2021 as a community forester who focuses upon education and engaging young people in planting, research and the work of The Mersey Forest.
Previously David has worked in many different roles, but always with the common theme of engaging young people and the wider community in activities that will benefit their local environment, their own education and their own wellbeing.
David is passionate about providing people with the opportunity to engage in new and exciting projects where they can reach their full potential and discover new skills while having fun at the same time.
Projects and Transformation Manager
Dawn has over 25 years’ experience delivering transformational change programmes in the private sector, before she joined the Mersey Forest in 2023.
She loves to collaborate with like-minded individuals across the community forest network, contributing to the variety of environmental initiatives underway.
Passionate about spending time in nature, in her spare time she volunteers at local woodlands, to restore and protect the natural environment, and can often be found running, walking or cycling along local trails and canal paths.
Natural Health Service Support Officer
Elizabeth supports the running of the Natural Health Service at the Mersey Forest and has a professional background in co-ordinating Health and Wellbeing programmes.
Elizabeth joined the Mersey Forest team in April 2024 and is a huge advocate of all things ‘Health and Wellbeing’ but particularly the health benefits of spending time in nature.
A big believer in practicing what she preaches she regularly enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it’s walking her dog (Ruby), doing a park run at the weekend or going for a hike.
Natural Health Service Coordinator
Gareth has worked for the Mersey Forest since 2023. His professional background has always been working within the health and wellbeing sector, from personal training, to criminal rehabilitation in the prison service, to social prescribing, and also public health.
Gareth is truly passionate about helping humans connect with nature for the benefit of health and wellbeing. In his spare time he enjoys fell running, cycling and hiking.
Woodland Advisor
As a Woodland Advisor with The Mersey Forest, George is proud to be part of a team that is bringing more trees back into the landscape of the North West. George’s interest in trees and woodland has shaped his education and career, beginning with work as a tree surgeon and progressing to university studies. George’s favourite tree is the silver birch, as it is a pioneer species that creates shelter and prepares the soil for other trees and wildlife to thrive.
Resource Development Officer
Joanna brings over 7 years of experience in Research and Insight, with a focus on the financial services industry. Joanna’s background has given her the skills to identify opportunities and engage with private sector stakeholders to drive collaborative initiatives.
Since joining Mersey Forest in January 2024, Joanna has been dedicated to building strong partnerships and developing innovative funding strategies. She’s passionate about networking and showcasing the fantastic work Mersey Forest does to improve local communities and the environment.
Outside work, Joanna loves outdoor adventures like climbing mountains, hiking marathons, or exploring the woods with her energetic spaniel.
Trees for Climate Programme Management Support Officer
Katie joined the Mersey Forest through a student placement working on the Urban GreenUP project when she was studying for her Masters in Town and Regional Planning. Katie has been part of the team since 2022, in several different roles.
Katie is passionate about future-proofing our communities by reducing the impacts of climate change and conserving the natural environment. Katie loves that she can see the positive impact our work has on the people and wildlife that live here.
Woodland Advisor
Lauren has been at the Mersey Forest since 2022 after joining the team after graduating from University.
Growing up, Lauren was constantly in her local woodland and witnessed first-hand the impacts of flooding and environmental challenges in her area, which sparked her interest in addressing these issues.
Lauren has always been drawn to the environmental sector and thoroughly enjoys being part of a team that connects people with nature whilst delivering wider ambitious targets.
GIS and Data Manager
MacKenzie has worked for the Mersey Forest since 2022, leveraging her background in environmental science and geographic information systems (GIS). MacKenzie’s passion for nature conservation drives her commitment to restoring and protecting our woodlands.
She finds particular joy in using GIS to analyse and visualise data, aiding in informed decision-making for tree and woodland planting.
More with Trees Programme Lead
With over 15 years experience in programme development and project management, Michelle leads the More with Trees Programme which includes developing projects that maximise the benefits of trees for people and nature. Michelle also coordinates Nature Connected, the Liverpool City Region Local Nature Partnership. A recent Clore Fellow, her passions include place making, astronomy, snowboarding and tennis.
Director
Paul joined the Mersey Forest team 30 years ago and has nearly 40 years of experience working in commercial and community forestry.
Paul says no two days working in the Mersey Forest are the same, and along with being able to see the changes that we are making to places and people, the variety of work and the enthusiasm of colleagues and communities for what we do makes the role a great one to work in.
Natural Flood Management (NFM) Manager
Prior to joining the Mersey Forest in 2022, Rob served as an Access & Conservation Officer for England at the British Mountaineering Council for 12 years. This experience in countryside management and access negotiation has been invaluable in Rob’s current role, which presents an exciting and diverse range of challenges.
Rob says being part of a team that is contributing a tangible, positive difference to people’s lives through reduced flood risk and a healthier environment is incredibly rewarding.
Trees and Woodland Operations and Strategy Manager
Sophie has been with The Mersey Forest since November 2020, bringing 10 years of experience in nature conservation and land management, with a particular focus on trees and woodlands. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help connect people with nature in the area where she grew up. Sophie has a keen interest in veteran trees, their cultural history, and their immense habitat value.
Senior Communications Lead
Steph has over 15 years experience in Marketing and Communications and loves uncovering interesting stories from the team and the people they support.
Steph joined The Mersey Forest in July 2021 and is passionate about the great outdoors and sharing the benefits nature can provide to people.
She’s as happy getting muddy planting trees as she is behind a keyboard and in her spare time loves seeing the changing colours of the seasons when she is paddle boarding down the River Dee.
Plan Developer
Susannah joined The Mersey Forest in 2006, after completing her PhD on climate change and urban green space at the University of Manchester. Much of her work is at the interface between research, policy and practice. She enjoys being in a team where ideas can be explored and then readily fed into action that impacts on people, nature and climate. She loves to adventure with her family, climbing trees and hills, wading in rivers, seeking out awe inspiring places, and enjoying the overlap between nature and culture.
Assistant Woodland Advisor
Tom joined the Mersey Forest in 2023. His favourite part of the job is spending time out on site, whether he’s planting new trees or carrying out essential maintenance tasks. Among the many species he encournters, the Coastal Redwood holds a special place as Tom’s favourite tree.