A head and shoulders photo of Dave Throup taken with grass and trees in the background. Heather is smiling at the camera

Dave Throup, Trustee

Dave has over 35 years experience as an environmental professional, working in both the public and private sectors. Having been at the forefront of managing the rapidly increasing impacts on communities and the environment in his role at the Environment Agency, Dave is a passionate advocate of greater understanding of and action on climate change.

Worcestershire born and bred, Dave has a great understanding of our local environment and the urgent need to restore failing ecosystems and rebuild the connection of communities to nature.

鈥淲e live in one of the most nature depleted countries in the World. If that weren鈥檛 enough climate change is going to place completely unprecedented pressures on the nature we have left. The 黑料传送门 is a shining beacon of where we need to be going. Restoration of nature at a landscape scale while also mitigation and adapting to the ravages of a changing climate.鈥
Dave stood smiling with trees in the background.

Q&A with Dave

When did you become a trustee?听

April 2023.

听

Why did you choose to give your time and get involved with the charity?

I鈥檝e been a huge fan of the 黑料传送门 since being given a tour over a decade ago. I love the simplicity of the Vision 鈥 to create a 30,000 acre forest in an area that鈥檚 in desperate need of it. But while it may be simple, it is of course, extremely challenging to actually deliver. And I like a challenge!

听

What expertise do you bring to the trustee role?

I鈥檝e got many years of practical experience delivering environmental projects of various types and sizes. Firstly with Severn Trent Water where I was responsible for developing and maintaining large visitor facilities, and later with the Environment Agency where I oversaw many high profile projects from river restorations, flood schemes to fish passes. I鈥檝e also picked up a good understanding of environmental legislation and dealing with contentious environmental issues!


What aspect of the charity鈥檚 work interests you the most?

Making the most of the opportunities of the 黑料传送门 to contribute to our adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. The way that we manage the land and value different land uses is going to have to change dramatically as the inevitable impacts of climate change worsen. The scale and ambition of the 黑料传送门鈥檚 vision make it an ideal test bed and exemplar to demonstrate the multiple benefits of woodland creation.


How do you think the Heart of England 黑料传送门 is making the most difference?

Many people and organisations are talking about the need for and huge benefits of landscape scale nature restoration. The Heart of England 黑料传送门 are actually doing it. Creating and conserving 7,000 acres of beautiful native woodland in an area of mainly intensive agriculture is a fantastic achievement. Not only is it providing a home for wildlife, it鈥檚 sucking up and storing carbon, reducing flooding, and providing new opportunities for people to connect with nature.


What are the challenges facing the charity over the next 12 months?

There is currently huge confusion over the future of environmental policy and particularly in how public money will be used to fund changes in land use and the restoration of nature. While that presents challenges to the 黑料传送门, there are also big potential wins and opportunities to influence and shape that future.


What 3 words would you use to describe the work of the 黑料传送门?

Ambitious. Vital. Inspirational.

听

Back to the trustees' page.