Name: Louise Neicho
Job Title: Woodland Officer
I'm the new woodland officer for Heartwood - appointed in January 2009. Having spent most of my childhood in London I had few experiences of woods but when I came to Hertfordshire to study Environmental Sciences I fell in love with the local countryside. I spent much of my spare time exploring the local area and quickly discovered my passion for trees and woods. Nomansland and the surrounding countryside was always one of my favourite places to explore but I found it frustrating when I came up against fences and barbed wire.
So, when I heard about the Woodland Trust buying the land to create England’s largest new native woodland I knew that I had to get involved one way or another. At the time I was working for Earthworks St Albans, a local environmental charity that offers outdoor work opportunities to mainly people with learning difficulties and mental health issues. I ran their community conservation project carrying out woodland conservation contracts and creating design plans for wildlife areas in local schools and carrying out much of the work.
I’m particularly excited about this project not only because it is on my doorstep or because it will be England’s largest new continuous forest, but because I can help to safeguard some of our precious green spaces and build a woodland that will be appreciated for generations to come.
Name: Al Crosby
Job Title: Senior Woodland Officer
As a contractor and now as a Woodland Officer I have always been involved with woodland and the Trust sites throughout England. Having worked in various part of the country I have now settled in Hertfordshire where I’m fortunate to have some cracking broadleaf woods in my care.
As a woodland officer this project is incredibly exciting for everyone involved as we aim to plant 600,000 trees and involve thousands of children and volunteers. But this new site will be more than just trees with pathways, open grassed areas and magnificent vistas, what more can you ask for.
Name: Toby Bancroft
Job Title: Regional Manager
In my normal work I am the regional manager for Eastern England looking after five woodland officers, but at the moment my main responsibility is to be the project manager of this exciting project. I am one of the first points of contact for the project and I am responsible for ensuring the project aims and objectives are both planned and delivered – not a small task on such a big project!
Name: Nick Morgan
Job Title: Regional Development Officer
My mission is to try to help keep this land ‘green and pleasant’ by helping the Trust raise much-needed funds. My past experience tells me that this project is very exciting having worked on acquisition of Brede High Woods and extensions to Hainault Forest, Guestling Wood, and Blackbush Shaw.
I joined the Woodland Trust staff in 2003 and will be one of the friendly faces you see around the site as we embark on this journey to create the largest native woodland in England.