Karen Morley – Chair
Karen has over 30 years’ experience in the environmental sector, working firstly as a Landscape Architect, latterly in Countryside Management, specialising in major project development. She has been employed by Dumfries & Galloway Council for 16 years as Countryside Development Officer.
In 2023, Karen supported a group of regional partners to establish an organisation to champion sustainable woodlands and our response to the climate and biodiversity crisis. This group pulled together the initial funding to launch Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands. Since then, Karen has supported the Trust – initially in capacity as Trustee, and more recently as Chair of Trustees. She believes in the Trust’s philosophy of practical action, partnership working, and ground-breaking activity.
Adam Gillingham – Secretary
Adam is a retired property lawyer. During his 34 years in the law he specialised, latterly as a partner of the Edinburgh based law firm, Turcan Connell, in Scottish rural property law, having a particular interest in the environmental impact of ownership and management of Scotland’s most valuable natural asset, its land. Clients included an eclectic mix of landowners and managers, one of which was the conservation charity, The John Muir Trust. Through this work, he became far more conversant with Scotland’s extraordinarily diverse landscape and also with the significant challenges facing those tasked with managing and working the land for the benefit of future generations.
Adam now splits his time between the City of Edinburgh and the Colvend/Southwick coast where, along with his wife, he owns and manages 30 acres of mixed semi-ancient wood and wetland and on part of which they have overseen the building of an off grid eco-hut. When not busy in the wood, Adam enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, gardening, and travel to far-flung destinations.
Jools Cox – Treasurer
Jools has worked and volunteered in the environmental and arts sectors of Dumfries and Galloway over the past 40 years. She has been a smallholder, a horticultural therapist, a caterer; she was part of Food Futures, Sustainable Stewartry, Thrift, South West Community Woodlands Trust, and Project Manager of the Orchards and Wild Harvest Project. Jools was also employed at the Crichton Carbon Centre, Environmental Education Facilitator for the D&G Arts Association & SEPA – Burns and Rivers Project, an Eco Schools assessor, and Fruit and Nuts Project manager for DGLPP.
Jools has planted many hundreds of fruit and nut trees with local schools and community groups, and organised community workshops in rural arts, crafts, and horticulture. She now spends time writing, cycling, hutting, swimming and running the ‘Wild Apples of Galloway’ Project, promoting identification, conservation and propagation of our native ‘wild apple’ malus sylvestris. She is delighted to work with D&G Woodlands with a vision to enthuse and help local communities appreciate, protect, conserve, and further enhance our unique landscape. Her hope is that together, we encourage the planting of native broadleaf trees, restore our ancient woodland remnants, identify and protect our beautiful riparian and coastal trees, and create spaces for children to discover the magic of woods and countryside, that will instill in them their place in nature.
Graeme Dalby – Trustee
Originally from County Durham, education and work have taken Graeme the length and breadth of the UK. Most of his working life has been with the statutory conservation bodies in a range of surveying, regulatory and land management roles. Graeme has also spent time researching red and black grouse and managing the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project.
Graeme now runs a small, native tree nursery near Dumfries. Outside of work, he spent 43 years in Mountain Rescue, Search and Rescue Dogs and the Nith Inshore Rescue Boat. He also manages deer populations on a number of local properties. Graeme was honoured when asked if he was interested in being a Trustee, and as such has been with D&G Woodlands since the earliest days. He says: ‘The organisation’s enthusiasm and their focus on getting things done whilst keeping everyone on board is inspirational.’
Nick Dowdell – Trustee
Nick has 51 years of experience in the forestry industry, mainly involved with conifer woodland then moving into both conifer and broadleaf establishment and restocking. After college, Nick was ‘hands-on’: planting, fencing, felling and skyline, before his role turned to forestry management. He’s worked in both the Western Highlands and Southwest Scotland, and though taking early retirement, began to offer part-time consultancy and advisory services to private clients and Galbraith.
In becoming a Trustee, Nick says he would like to see D&G Woodlands continue to grow public awareness and value of all woodlands, especially the reinstatement of broadleaf cover and connectivity within the region. He also sees D&G Woodlands as an educational conduit for the general public, in particular children and young people, so they may better understand and value the natural environment, especially woodlands.
Nic Major – Trustee
Bio coming soon.
Clair McFarlan – Trustee
Having grown up in Callander and spent her childhood in the woods, Clair feels at home here in Dumfries and Galloway, especially with nationally-important ancient trees scattered across the region. After university, she worked firstly in research before moving into conservation; 30 years of roles including Manager at Solway Firth Partnership, Ecologist for Solway Heritage, Education Officer at WWT Caerlaverock and Area Officer for Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot).
Clair has experience of project management, conservation action, community engagement, environmental education and interpretation. She also volunteers with the Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory, for which she is lead verifier for Scotland. Clair is looking forward to seeing D&G Woodlands grow as a key local organisation, not only making sure the right species of tree are planted in the right places in the landscape but also promoting the value of trees to everyone, young and old. She says: ‘Most people like a tree but it’s our job to make sure that more people love trees!’
Ian Murgatroyd – Trustee
Ian has been involved in forestry since 1980, working predominantly for the Forestry Commission. His experience covers harvesting, establishment, Work Study, Grants & Licences, and Plant Health. Ian is interested in all forms of forestry and woodland, including treeline forestry in montane habitats (which can distract his orienteering and hill running!).
Ian says: ‘Working with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands gives me an opportunity to enjoy and share my wide range of woodland interests with the hope of helping others.’
Morag Paterson – Trustee
Morag is a self-employed artist based in the Glenkens, where she has lived for over 30 years. Her work focuses on how land is used and how communities can shape their own futures. In her spare time, she enjoys running, cycling, and hiking in the Galloway Hills.
Morag is a strong advocate for making sure forests bring the greatest benefits to local people, the rural economy, and the rest of nature. She looks forward to working with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands to explore new opportunities across the region.
Trustees are recruited from within the DGW membership, and all give their time voluntarily. Many thanks for their ongoing support.
Correspondence with Trustees is available through DGW Administrator Sam Lomax on sam.lomax@dgwoodlands.org.
