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North West Kent

Meet the Team
 
The North West Kent Countryside Partnership currently has six members of staff who lead the volunteer practical days and deliver all of the partnerships projects.  
  
Brian Whittaker - Partnership Manager
 
Brian joined the Partnership in July 2008 and comes with a number of years’ experience in managing projects with a wide variety of budgets, teams, funding and operational structures. Most of his career has been in the publishing sector working for amongst others Country Living magazine, the Co-Operative Bank, and the BBC. He recently completed a Rural Apprenticeship as part of a National Forest scheme and subsequently undertook a Postgraduate Diploma/M.A. in Countryside Management at Bangor University.
 
Louise Smith - Partnership Officer   Community Initiatives
 
In August 2006, following a degree at the University of Greenwich and a year placement with Kent Wildlife Trust as an assistant warden, I joined the team as a Partnership Officer. 
 
Having come from a very practical
background, I now manage a wide range of projects including the River Cray Invasive Species Project, Dartford Free Bulb Scheme, and The Enchanted Woodland in partnership with the Temple Hill Community Development
Trust along with working with schools to develop school nature areas.
 
Mark Gallant - Partnership Officer   Landscape and Biodiversity 
 
Mark Gallant started with the Partnership in Feb 2008, replacing Jennifer Winters as the third Partnership Officer in the team. Mark was formally the Conservation Officer with the Lea Rivers Trust, where he was involved in carrying out a range wide of conservation activities’ on the River Lea in East London . Mark will be delivering a number of projects for the Partnership including the ’s Favourite Trees Scheme and The Darent Valley Path Improvements Project (Phase 2).
 
 
Isabel Sturdy - Partnership Officer   Education and Learning
 
I joined the Partnership in October 2008, having worked previously as Estate officer at Aldenham Country Park in Hertfordshire, although I'm originally from Northern Ireland.  I have a degree in French and German from Edinburgh University and a Foundation Degree in Countryside Management from Plumpton College . I now deliver various projects for the partnership including Just a Drop of Water, footpath surveys and school nature areas.
 
I am now on maternity leave!
 

Vicki Wheeler – Partnership Officer   Education and Learning

I joined the partnership in March 2010 as maternity cover for Isabel Sturdy.  My background includes working as a Nature Conservation Officer for a nationwide contractor in Lewisham and working at Scadbury Nature Reserve, as well as my time as a trainee with BBOWT.  I have a BSc in Biological Sciences and an MSc in Wildlife Management and Conservation both obtained at Reading University .  My role at the partnership is to manage education and learning projects including the development of nature areas in schools.

 

 

Simon Platt - Senior Partnership Officer
(Naturally Active)   Health and Access 
 
My role is to encourage people to use green spaces in NW. Kent for healthy activities. I previously managed youth volunteering projects in Bexley and Kent, which collected a number of awards for their environmental projects in the community.  I am qualified as an expedition leader and have been involved with Duke of Edinburgh delivering the award. Known to my colleagues as “Tigger” for being a little on the lively side!
 
Jenny Messer - Assistant Partnership Officer (Naturally Active)   Health and Access
              
I joined the team in June 2009 as an Assistant Partnership Officer for the Naturally Active project. I have a background working with horses and hold a Bsc (Hons) degree in Equine Management which I completed through the University of Greeenwich at Hadlow College. My job role is to encourage people to use and enjoy the surrounding countryside whilst keeping fit and active, helping to improve both physical and mental wellbeing.
 
 
Ruby - Assistant with Naturally Active
I joined the Naturally Active team in May 2008 along
with Simon, who I live with. My strengths are motivating people to go on healthy walks, chasing rabbits and sniffing people's bags to look for sandwiches. I love being outdoors but I don't like thunder very much.
. Address :- North West Kent Countryside Partnership, Mead Crescent, Mead Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2SH
Tel No :- 01322 294727		 .
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