JP has lived in Shropshire since the early 1980’s (mostly) and has 25 plus years experience of delivering practical conservation management across the Marches & West Midlands.  Somewhere in the mist of time he did a degree in Environmental science, much of which is still relevant today and has been regularly working in the Gorge since 1999.

Through his professional career he has developed interests in woodland conservation and low impact forestry, grassland biodiversity, sustainable farming and Curlews conservation.

Weekends are spent watching Shrewsbury Town FC, at a gig, working in his woodland or down on his allotment.

He occasionally runs a moth trap and would go fishing if he could find the time. 

Nathan has been working for the Trust since 2011.  Prior to this he worked for a contracting company and was self-employed.  He completed his degree in Forestry whilst working for the Trust.

He has a keen interest in forestry, farming and conservation and enjoys the seasonality of working outdoors and the variety of work that comes with it.  Nathan enjoys seeing the results of the effort that is put into a site, even if it takes a few years to see the improvement. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience, helping others appreciate the value of sustainable land management.

Out of work he enjoys growing a few vegetables in his garden, going to the coast with his family and sampling local real ales!

Kate has worked at the Trust for over 17 years. She studied Countryside Management at Aberystwyth University and moved to Shropshire in 1994. While raising a young family, she also completed her accountancy qualification through evening classes. Her role at the Trust perfectly combines these interests, and she’s equally happy working with spreadsheets as she is rounding up the Trust’s flock of Soay sheep — every day brings something new!

Outside of work, Kate enjoys playing badminton, spending time with family and walking her Tibetan Terrier, Orla.

Paul joined the team as our Estate Worker in April 2022.  He has worked in forestry and Rights of Way contracting for over 20 years with brief spells in retail and cartography along the way.

The majority of his time at the Trust is spent on maintaining our sites and footpaths.  This involves the repair and installation of steps, gates and fencing plus all aspects of tree work.  Paul enjoys the variety of work the job provides and particularly likes working with the Trust’s volunteer group.

In his free time, Paul enjoys climbing, walking with his dog, Woody and reading.

Amber joined the Trust in the summer of 2022 as the Volunteer and Community Officer. She has previously worked on a Curlew conservation project in South Shropshire as well as a Wild Child Officer for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. She is passionate about the natural world, spending some of her free time volunteering with the Shropshire Dormouse Group to monitor dormice populations across the county. 

Amber spends part of her time putting together the Outdoor Learning Programme and other events to engage people with nature throughout the year. She also gives talks to local groups or takes part in events taking place in the Gorge. She loves inspiring others to connect with nature and hopes to help people of all ages develop a lasting appreciation for the environment. 

John is passionate about working outdoors and joined the Trust in 2024 as our Landscape and Forestry Operative. He began his career by earning a carpentry and joinery qualification and spent three years in a joiner’s workshop crafting doors and windows. After completing a forestry qualification at the Greenwood Centre, he worked for 10 years as a landscape gardener, gaining extensive hands-on experience in  land management.

At the Trust, John enjoys the variety of his work and has particularly enjoyed learning new skills, including mastering the tractor.

Outside of work, he spends his time walking his dogs, caring for his livestock, and spending quality time with his family