Matthew Harmsworth

Matthew Harmsworth has over 20 years experience in countryside management, forestry and arboriculture. With a background in Inland Waterways with his family owning the Basingstoke Canal in Surrey and Hampshire and later involved in it's restoration and management Matthew spent his childhood working with his father developing an interest in the countryside and under pinning his practical experience in a way which just doesn't happen today.

Matthew spent his early career working for local authorities as both a Countryside Ranger and later a charge hand with Surrey County Councils countryside teams. At this early stage in his career Matthew obtained a National Diploma in Countryside Recreation at Merrist Wood College in Surrey as well as NVQ's in Horticulture specialising in Arboriculture. Matthew is also a qualified Arborist holding all relevant NPTC qualifications.

Matthew then went on to start his own countryside contracting business which undertook works for clients such as Surrey Heathland Project, The Herpetological Conservation Trust, Defence Estates, Landmarc Support Services, the RSPB and various other conservation organisations. This business also built up an impressive portfolio of both domestic and commercial arboricultural clients specialising in professional tree surgery and tree management techniques.

After 8 years of successful business Matthew moved onto the role of Contracts Manager for a large Biomass supply company covering the Midlands, the NE and NW and Southern Scotland.

He has recently managed and overseen to completion several high profile projects for Cumbria Wildlife Trust with pioneering techniques on extraction of invasive materials from raised peat bogs.

Matthew is currently studying for a masters degree in Environmental Studies specialising in renewable energies. Matthew's practical knowledge and project management skills enable him to tailor specific solutions to any of the services Woodland Solutions offer. Fully conversant in current legislation, Health and Safety and tree management skills Matthew is a valuable addition to the team and is often clients initial point of contact.

Kevin Ashford - Environmental Education specialist

When it comes to Environmental Education, Kevin is a true expert.

He specialises in tailoring Environmental Education programmes for countryside management organisations and educational institutes. Organisations including but not limited to Wildlife Trusts and local Nature Reserves, Schools and Specialist Outdoor Education Centres can have individual courses of study tailored to the national curriculum of learning for any age range from infant to adult. Course packs vary from general studies courses like Earth’s Environment and Wildlife of the World, to specific courses based on the surroundings. All courses can be tailored to classroom learning but are best enjoyed in their natural outdoors.

Kevin is also proficient in a wide variety of educational training and has dealt with students of all ages and learning abilities. He is experienced in training program design, research, marketing and implementation. He can also help with writing grant applications.

Overall, an excellent asset to Woodland Solutions.

Sean Harrison - Southern area consultant

Sean has been involved with woodland and countryside management for nearly thirty years.

He has been involved in commercial forestry in kielder, Northumberland and the management of lowland woodlands in Surrey. This has given him a broad experience of conifer plantations, coppicing, management of native woodlands, veteran tree management, pollarding and the assessment and care of ancient woodlands.

In addition Sean has been involved in the day to day management of chalk grassland. This has included stock management to provide traditional management techniques. Sean has also been involved in NVC classification of habitats, species monitoring and survey. Of special interest are butterflies and native mammals.

In addition, Sean has a wide knowledge and experience of many practical land management techniques, including; fencing, drainage, site access and wildlife control measures. Having managed a busy public open space in Surrey for over 12 years, Sean was involved at a high level, in the management of public recreation and represented the Local Authority at many public meetings and consultations.

Sean’s’ experience of assessing the suitability of many types of grants, for a variety of operations and long-term conservation projects, may be of particular interest to woodland owners.

Since 2005, Sean has been working as a Tree Officer for a wildlife charity. With responsibility for initiating and the implementation of a Health and Safety policy for the management of the tree stock on over 50 sites, Sean has trained staff and set in place a robust system of inspection. This is particularly useful for companies with trees within car parking areas or adjacent to highways and private property. A bespoke system of surveying and future management can be tailored to suit your needs, site and budget.

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Spring 2010 - Click here to download

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