A community-based charity working
across the Stirling Council area.
TreeLink was founded during the winter lockdown of 2020/21 by a group of people brought together by their appreciation of the ecological, social and cultural importance of trees. TreeLink is registered as charity and despite the constraints of the pandemic got down to work.
They 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 relies entirely on the commitment of its trustees and other volunteers. They grow and plant trees, maintain woodland and do all the 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 incoorate them into the heart of our planing 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 nearly 30 years.
Max is the Director of the Clyde Climate Forest which was launched in June 2021. He heads up a small team which aims to facilitate the planting of 18 million trees in Glasgow City Region over a decade.
He lives in Stirling with his wife and two children.
Ann White, Secretary
I really enjoy the practical side of conservation work. Following retirement from my career as a university lecturer, I joined BTCV as a volunteer officer, helping to organise groups of volunteers undertaking a wide variety of projects in the outdoors.
I have volunteered with Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot) for many years, working on their reserves at Flander’s Moss, Loch Lomond and Blawhorn Moss and I am a volunteer ranger with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. I also help to manage the wildlife garden in my village where we have planted many trees.
I hope that TreeLink Stirling will be able to support and encourage many more people to engage with the natural world, both for their own benefit and that of the environment.
Paul Dumbleton, Treasurer
Paul has lived in Stirling for almost forty years and is now retired after working in education and then in the voluntary sector. Much of his work was with people with additonal support needs and their families. After leaving full-time work he was appointed to the boards of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council. He currently sits as a social security tribunal member. 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.
​
After retiring from full time work Paul developed a growing interest in, and concern about, trees and woodlands which led him to initiate the foundation of TreeLink.
​
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
​
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
Pat Morrissey
I have worked most of my adult life in education at one level or another. Latterly I supported people with literacy issues who had engaged with the criminal justice service.
I had a love of the outdoors instilled in me at a very early age and it saddens me to see so many young people seemingly divorced from wild places. This "othering" of the natural world is of great concern and I hope that TreeLink can help people re-engage spiritually, emotionally and practically with nature through planting, championing and learning about trees.
Frank Deas
​
I moved to Killearn in March 2020 prior to retiring later that year. My last 12 years pre-retirement were as change manager for Glasgow City Council, primarily enabling colleagues to deliver more with less. Most of my working life has been in internal or external consultancy roles working with people to help them unlock potential and realise goals.
Since retirement I have become the operations officer for On The Verge and a Director of Killearn Community Futures Company leading on Sustainable Killearn.
Still looking to increase my own and others effectiveness though collaboration but now with an emphasis on sustainability; integral to which is the need for greater stewardship of our natural environment and recognition of the wellbeing benefits that accrue from work in this area.
Emily McLaughlin
​
Trees are amazing and have always been an important part of my life. Hours of my childhood were spend 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 growing of trees can make to an area.
​
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.
​
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.