CHAIR

Rob has spent almost all his career in environmental understanding, including running a national charity which operated in nine of the UK‘s national parks, so gaining experience of the many benefits a Galloway National Park could bring. He chaired the Forest Education Network for 9 years and is Vice-President for Expeditions and Fieldwork at the Royal Geographical Society. Having first visited Galloway on holiday over 50 years ago, Rob now lives near Borgue. Over the last 5 years he has been working with the inspiring young people of Galloway who have shown how important a National Park is for their futures.

VICE-CHAIR & SECRETARY

Born in Galloway, Sandra has lived and been active in the community in Wigtown for over 50 years as a Community Councillor and an elected member of Dumfries and Galloway Council. She believes that communities have the right to make the decisions that most affect their lives and has been involved in regenerating the rural economy and the development of the Book Town project since its inception. “This is a beautiful part of Scotland, with friendly communities always ready to welcome everyone and everything the future holds and many are aware of the opportunities that being designated a National Park will bring.”

TREASURER

Andrew has 45 years of experience in professional rural practice and management of farms and rural estates. Over 10% of his own small farm is managed solely for environmental benefit including two large areas of scrub woodland for birds, invertebrates and moths which are monitored by local conservation groups and hundreds of trees planted and hedgerows extended to benefit biodiversity and the landscape. With a home in Wigtownshire for 30 years Andrew is totally committed to the area and believes that National Park designation would bring widespread recognition and do much to improve the opportunities for local enterprise and jobs.

TRUSTEE

Mark is a Chartered Surveyor and owner of the 3,000 acre Craigengillan Estate in Ayrshire, where activities include an organic farming enterprise, newly created native woodlands registered under the Woodland Carbon Code, a peatland restoration project, a well-regarded livery yard, holiday cottages and glamping. Mark has spent most of his life involved with the countryside and nature with conservation is a high management priority at Craigengillan where he works closely with the local primary and secondary schools. Mark is also a Trustee of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and was a founder Trustee of the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory.

TRUSTEE

After studying Natural Sciences, Lesley pursued a career in industry holding senior Sales, Marketing and General Management roles in a major Multinational Company. She had a passion for nature and the outdoors from an early age, spending most of her holidays, both as a child and an adult, in Scotland In 2008, she moved to a beautiful corner of Galloway, close to Cairnsmore of Fleet, where she and her husband run a holiday cottage and manage their land for the benefit of wildlife. Lesley believes a National Park in Galloway will help preserve and enhance biodiversity in the area and significantly contribute to a brighter economic future for our region.

TRUSTEE

Lisa is a lifelong field naturalist and professional wildlife artist living on the Machars. Initially a career conservationist, she worked for the Countryside Agency (formerly the Countryside Commission), for 15 years in a variety of roles, including policy development and communications, in rural Wales and the West Midlands. During that time she saw the designation and expansion of National Parks in England at first hand. This experience helped to consolidate her views about the significance of landscape conservation and the value of countryside recreation and access. In 2006 Lisa moved to Port William to pursue a full time career in wildlife art. Attracted to west Galloway by its rich habitats and beautiful coastal scenery Lisa believes that only National Park status will preserve the natural capital with which this undervalued and under-recognised area is so richly endowed.

TRUSTEE

Gordon served as Director of Planning with Banff and Buchan, Shetland, and Dumfries & Galloway Councils and in 1996 led the team that bought the Crichton from the NHS and set up a charitable company. He led the award-winning redevelopment of this former hospital into a University Campus, Business Park and Conference Centre. Over the years he has served on a number of Boards including the Forestry Commission, SNH and Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce. Gordon chairs the Shambellie House Trust working to create a new centre for short courses based on the environment, history, and culture of the region.

TRUSTEE

Neil is born and bred in Galloway and owns a farm in Borgue with his wife Patricia and two children. They diversified by adding tourism to the farm in 2007 starting Solway View Campsite and have two holiday houses, one in Kirkcudbright and one in Portpatrick. Neil is a Trustee in the Kirkcudbright Development Trust, Treasurer of Gatehouse Bridge Club, a committee member of Kirkcudbright Burns Club, and a member of Kirkcudbright Rotary Club. He enjoys cycling, hill walking and the great outdoors, especially here in Galloway and believes passionately that Galloway should be Scotland’s third National Park.

TRUSTEE

Jamie grew up in Galloway, near Kirkcowan. A keen interest in angling and natural history as he grew up pushed him into a career working in wild fisheries. After studying at Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities he returned to work at Galloway Fisheries Trust, where he is the Senior Fisheries Biologist working across the river catchments of Dumfries and Galloway. Jamie and his wife live near Kirkcowan close to the River Bladnoch. Jamie loves walking and cycling in the local countryside. He believes that National Park status would play an important role in protecting and enhancing the rich diversity of wildlife and habitats that we have, particularly from the threat of climate change impacts.

TRUSTEE

Paul graduated in environmental conservation and countryside management and specialises in ornithology for interest. Wigtownshire has been his holiday destination for 20 years and he recently retired as RSPB warden for Crook of Baldoon Nature Reserve. He is a trustee to the Whithorn Trust and Community Councillor. Paul has a great love of the countryside and nature conservation and how it is used and cannot get enough of the wonderful countryside and seascapes of Wigtownshire. A Galloway National Park would be a great way to share them with others.