McNabb Laurie – D&G Woodlands Manager
McNabb speaking at Confor event, Edinburgh, May 2025
Pic Phil Wilkinson / International Sustainable Forestry Coalition
McNabb completed a BSc in Environmental Management at Lancaster University before spending 10 years working across the UK in a variety of roles, in the not-for-profit and corporate sectors.
He grew up near Palnackie and in 2013 returned to the region, working initially at Loch Arthur Cafe and with the council, culminating in a role with the Galloway Glens Scheme between 2018-2023. This role involved a broad range of disciplines, from natural environment and heritage through to community engagement.
In 2023 McNabb left the council to take on this new role with the establishment of Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands. McNabb takes a lead on the organisational development, and aspects of work including the adding of community and wider value to woodland creation schemes in the region.
He is a founding trustee of Upper Urr Environment Trust, and secretary of the local community council. In his free time, McNabb enjoys the Galloway outdoors with, or without, his children.
Phil Dowling – Woodland Action Officer
(a recipient of D&G Tree Planting Grant Scheme)
Phil completed an MSc in Conservation Biology, specialising in Ornithology, at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2013. He then moved to the Scottish Highlands to work on several RSPB nature reserves, before returning south to settle in Kirkcudbright 5 years ago.
Since then he has worked for the Galloway Fisheries Trust, undertaking habitat restoration projects, and as a Ranger at the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Nature Reserve. These roles involved Phil in tree planting projects across the region and helped increase his passion for climate change resilient ecosystem restoration and the Dumfries and Galloway landscape.
Phil can often be found travelling around the region, visiting landowners to discuss tree planting schemes. He particularly enjoys the unique goals of each project and using GIS to create woodland designs.
He enjoys spending his free time dragging his family around on bike rides, paddleboarding and birding; if he gets a quiet moment, he loves to read a good book or dabble in some woodwork.
Sam Lomax – Administrator (2 days per week)
Sam holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature and MA in Creative Writing, and worked for a number of years in Marketing. She moved into Admin and HR for the NHS, gained her Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and went on to work in schools, supporting students with additional needs.
Relocating from city life to Dumfries & Galloway lead Sam to explore the woodlands, hills and coastline of the area with her young children. In the administration role at D&G Woodlands, she found part-time work that chimed with her growing interests in trees, conservation and the local landscape.
Sam is usually found with a spreadsheet in front of her at DGW HQ, but always enjoys the opportunity to get out and about – especially when meeting with schools or the wider community, and talking about trees.
In her spare time – if she’s not out watching wildlife in the woods – Sam enjoys reading, gardening and art; she has recently been learning how to paint with oils and has exhibited locally with the Glenkens Oil Painters.