A community-based charity working
across the Stirling area.
TreeLink was founded during the winter lockdown of 2020/21 by a group of people brought together online by their appreciation of the ecological, social and cultural importance of trees. Despite the constraints of the pandemic, they got down to work planning and registering the new charity TreeLink Stirling.
The trustees set themselves the tasks of growing new trees, supporting community tree planting, looking after existing woodlands and encouraging street tree planting. They also wanted to be a voice for trees and woodlands in Stirling Council area.
TreeLink is now a thriving charity. It still relies entirely on the commitment of its trustees and other volunteers. They grow and plant trees, maintain woodland and do all the 'behind the scenes' work needed to keep TreeLink growing.
Prof Alistair Jump FRSB, Chair
I'm a professional ecologist working on impacts of environmental change on trees and woodlands and the benefits that they bring to people and places.
I've lived in Stirling for the past twelve years and have worked in education, research and consultancy throughout this time across Scotland and the wider world. I've spent much of my professional life seeking to understand the vulnerability of trees to climate change and how we reduce risk to trees and maximise benefit from them.
Trees are of fundamental importance to our quality of life and can help us solve many of the environmental problems that we face over the coming decades if we incorporate them into the heart of our planning and decision making.
Max Hislop, Vice-Chair
Max Hislop is a Chartered Forester and Social Researcher by training and has worked on social and community dimensions of green infrastructure for over 30 years.
Max recently retired as the Director of the Clyde Climate Forest. Previously he was Manager of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership, a Project Leader in Social Forestry with Forest Research, a Community Forester for Thames Chase Community Forest, and a Forester for the Forestry Commission in Oban.
He lives in Stirling with his wife and two children.
Paul Dumbleton, Secretary
Paul has lived in Stirling for over forty years and is now retired after working in education and then in the voluntary sector with people with disabilities and their families. After stopping full-time work he put his experince to work as a tribunal member dealing with disability benefit appeals and as a member of the boards of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council. Paul has a long association with the voluntary sector as a volunteer, a manager, a trustee and grant assessor. This was recognised by the award of an honorary degree by Stirling University in 2014.
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After retiring from full time work Paul developed a growing interest in, and concern about, local trees and woodlands which led him to initiate the foundation of TreeLink.
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Allan Parlane, Treasurer
I am a Chartered Engineer now retired from a career spanning most of the aspects of offshore oil and gas infrastructure construction. Since retiring I have become increasingly conscious of my unconscious contribution to the climate difficulties that we all face today and the legacy that will leave for our grandchildren. I am convinced by the arguments that significant adjustments to our life styles and expectations are a necessary consequence to lessen our footprint on the planet.
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I have always gardened and my principal recreation activity these days is wood work, repairing and up cycling old furniture and recycling recovered wood for new purposes. Repair and reuse is always a better option than buying new. Trees are a new venture for me so lots to learn but my involvement with Tree Link seemed to be natural fit with my current interests and I see it is a positive contribution to improving the place where we live.
Robin Clark - Volunteer Support
I had a love for nature instilled in me right from my early years. Our family rambles were often through the New Forest where I learned about different tree species, what the wildlife around them was all about and of course the best climbers!
Throughout my career with children and families i have seen the huge benefits of outdoor learning through play and exploration and this has been especially true in woodlands where the best toys are sticks and the best climbing frames are trees!
I have observed and experienced the peace and tranquility walking through woodland can bring and for this reason I strongly believe we need more trees in our urban areas.
I think it is not only the responsibility but the duty of our generation to maintain the trees, woodlands and forests we have and to plant many many more so our children and grandchildren can enjoy them as we have been allowed to.
Alison Adam - Tree Nursery Co-Ordinator
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I retired from career guidance in 2021 and joined Treelink Stirling later that year. I have always been fascinated by trees and woodland, and have been aware for many years of the urgency of increasing native tree planting; for biodiversity, climate and social reasons.
The practical work in the tree nursery has been really satisfying and a good opportunity to make new friends and do something different in the fresh air. I’ve been growing veg, fruit and flowers organically for years; and now my garden is filling up with tiny tree seedlings. A different kind of nurturing from my working life, but equally satisfying
Guy Harewood
I'm an ecologist and have spent most of career working within local authorities and charities, driven by a desire to leave our natural world in a better state.
I have been involved with TreeLink Stirling from the outset, inspired by their goal of ‘Connecting Trees and People’. I hope that I’ll be able to help to raise awareness of the importance of trees, particularly within our city, towns and villages, and help TreeLink to introduce more trees into our settlements and help reconnect residents with the natural world.
Cath Preston
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I am a professional environmentalist with over 30 years experience in environmental innovation and management in the UK and Australia. My passion and expertise lies in partnership working with local communities, charities and the public sector on nature-based solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Woodlands and trees are an essential part of tackling these global crises and so important for our health and well-being too, and creating that feeling of connection - from wild forests to urban green spaces, to that tree in our back garden or local park that meant so much to us as kids.
It is inspiring to see the energy and motivation that TreeLink Stirling brings to growing, planting, looking after and speaking up for trees and woodlands in the region, and the wonderful community spirit created. I am proud to be a part of this forward-thinking charity.
Rural Stirling has been home for over 26 years, a beautiful place to raise my family. I have been an active part of the community over that time as a volunteer Trustee on local environmental charities and helping establish a local community trust.
Jessica Scriven
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I have a strong background in ecology having completed a PhD on the ecology and conservation genetics of bumblebees at the University of Stirling. I don’t currently work in the area and started volunteering with TreeLink Stirling to get back involved with work on nature and conservation.
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I love woodland and forests and the Caledonian pine forests in the Cairngorms are one of my favourite places. I am delighted that by joining the charity I can contribute to the sustainability and promotion of local woodland via the many projects that TreeLink Stirling is undertaking.
Emily McLaughlin
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Trees are amazing and have always been an important part of my life. Hours of my childhood were spent in or around trees, though being raised in the North East, trees were far less abundant than in other areas of Scotland. It is so inspiring to visit 20 years later and see the impact that growing of trees can make to an area.
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My current interests were spurred into action after a glorious and beloved tree was felled - the lack of communication and the loss of the only greenery in an urban area fuelled me to join local groups to advocate for better information for communities and implement a proactive approach to looking after our greenspaces.
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Spending time in the outdoors, away from electrical entertainment and immersed in the sensory landscape of our natural Scotland is the most treasured time for my family. I feel strongly that our connection with trees and our natural world should be encouraged and nurtured as without help, it will be lost.