About us

Amy is a Trainee FiPL Officer working with Farming in Protected landscapes funding. Defra introduced the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme in July 2021.  Now in its fifth year, the programme provides funding to farmers and land managers (and others that work with them) for projects that support nature recovery, tackle climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover nature, or support sustainable farm businesses.

Di provides secretariat functions to the Blackdown Hills National Landscape Partnership Management Group, Connecting the Culm and Farming in Protected landscapes. Di is also responsible for our premises and office management, health and safety, and IT.

Emily is managing the development of the National Lottery supported Rivers Run Through Us project. This project encompasses the whole of the River Axe catchment, including the Lower Coley, Upper Coly, Offwell Brook, Umborne Brook, Corry Brook, River Yarty, Kit Brook, Forton Brook, Blackwater River and the Upper & Lower Axe.

Rivers Run Through Us is a collaborative approach to recapturing the natural heritage of the Axe, its tributaries and valleys, through better connections – between people and heritage, farmers and consumers, rural and townsfolk, soil and water. The project focuses on three themes: River, Soil and People, underlining that catchments are defined by water and soils, like the farming that harvests from them, and the people who depend on their produce.

As Culm Catchment Officer, John is working to deliver greater flood resilience across six sub-catchments of the River Culm, as part of the wider Connecting the Culm project.  This involves working with local landowners and communities, with a significant focus on the Cole Brook and Crow Green Stream to the west of the catchment around Cullompton and Bradninch.  The wider project focus is also on the upper Culm upstream of Hemyock, including the Madford, Bolham and Sheldon stream.  With Grant in Aid funding from the Environment Agency the work will help to intervene in areas requiring improved flood resilience, which will be delivered with the use of nature-based solutions to slow down water in the catchment to help reduce flooding and help make the catchment more resilient to the effects of climate change.

As the manager, Tim’s job is very varied. As well ensuring that the Blackdown Hills National Landscape management plan is delivered, Tim is involved in partnership project development and delivery, bringing investment into the Blackdown Hills and providing support and opportunities for communities & businesses.

Hannah is our Project Development and Delivery Officer who plans, monitors and manages budgets and the accounting process for the Blackdown Hills National Landscape.

Lisa is responsible for the landscape and planning functions in Blackdown Hills National Landscape. She liaises with local planning authorities, responds to planning consultations, develops planning-related guidance and advice, supports community-led planning, and works on landscape character assessments. Lisa also works on developing and reviewing the management plan for Blackdown Hills National Landscape.

Clare’s role is to communicate the work of Blackdown Hills National Landscape and to promote activities which help people to enjoy and look after the area. She is responsible for Blackdown Hills National Landscape’s website, e-newsletter, social media, online events calendar, visitor information, events and media enquiries.

Lucy’s role as Senior Culm catchment officer is to facilitate greater flood resilience across six sub-catchments of the River Culm, as part of the wider Connecting the Culm project. Her work involves working with local landowners and communities to identify potential areas requiring improved flood resilience and the use of nature based solutions to slow down water in the catchment to help reduce flooding.

Jane works as the Wild Neroche Restoring and Transforming Landscapes land management adviser. Her work supports farmers and land managers to undertake nature-positive actions on land in the Blackdown Hills region surrounding Neroche. Wild Neroche is one of Forestry England’s four Wild Area’s that aims to rebuild biodiversity by identifying and restoring natural processes at a landscape scale.