The project assistant’s role is very practical and involves working out on the Wild Ingleborough landscape in all weather conditions.

No two days are ever the same in this role and a variety of tasks present themselves throughout the year as the seasons change.

Meet Dwayne Martindale and Jo Carr. During the winter months, they lead groups of volunteers up the slopes and gills of Ingleborough to plant native trees and establish areas of woodland and scrub cover.

A landscape scale project of this size contains many land boundaries including fences and walls. The project assistants help to maintain these boundary features to protect the Wild Ingleborough area from neighbouring livestock and preserve the heritage value of the dry-stone walls, upskilling volunteers in the traditional craft of dry-stone walling.

Dwayne and Jo are utilised throughout the project team and assist with community engagement events, research and monitoring of nature recovery, in addition to reserve maintenance and various methods of habitat creation.

Meet Liz Coates. As Project Officer, Liz is responsible for implementing the delivery of Wild Ingleborough’s aims and objectives, both on the ground and in the planning and management of the team’s work programme.

With the assistance of the team, Liz is able to organise the landscape scale tasks required to allow Wild Ingleborough to succeed in its goals, and then ensure that these are achieved on the day both safely and effectively.

This role involves all aspects of landscape recovery planning and the procedures that come with land management and the protection of SSI, SAC and other protected areas.

Liz has been able to establish a new montane nursery for the propagation of upland trees and plants, where the Wild Ingleborough team and volunteers can assist in the growth and reestablishment of rare, upland flora for the purpose of species recovery on Ingleborough.

Meet Ellie Parker. Ellie’s role as Wild Ingleborough Engagement Officer is a key element to the Wild Ingleborough Program, allowing local communities to get involved in the project and experience wilder days out of the classroom. Ellie works with schools and colleges, bringing the curriculum to life and offering enrichment opportunities in an exciting, wild setting.

Wild Ingleborough is supporting groups who experience barriers to accessing the countryside to enjoy visits to Ingleborough and the surrounding nature reserves and environment. The ‘Experience Wild Ingleborough’ pilot Access to Nature fund was designed and delivered with input from representatives of local organisations with in-depth knowledge of barriers to engagement, including Open Country, The Wanderlust Women, Age UK North Craven and Black Girls Hike.

Other engagement activities include guided walks exploring the reserve with the expertise of the Wild Ingleborough team to point things out, and archaeology walks led by local experts to lead us through times past in the footsteps of our ancestors.

Meet Tim Thom. Tim is responsible for the development and implementation of the Wild Ingleborough programme. This involves leading the Wild Ingleborough project team and working closely with the local community, project partners, funders and other external organisations to deliver a nationally important nature recovery project in the uplands of North Yorkshire.

Tim provides leadership and support to inspire and motivate team members ensuring individuals have the skills, knowledge and experience to successfully carry out their roles. Tim’s role offers inspiration and development the team, remaining at the cutting edge of nature conservation thinking.

This is a proactive role in the Trust and builds mutually supportive relationships across teams and activities where these will help to achieve the vision for Wild Ingleborough and its important partners.