Forest Team

Gesa Reiss
Forest Officer

Gesa's key role is to lead the GWCF team in delivering the Forest Plan and specifically a rolling five year Business Plan. These documents provide a framework for the project which sets out key aims, objectives and targets to ensure the GWCF continues to develop and diversify to achieve its long term vision. Gesa's role also ensures the GWCF objectives are fully integrated within the Regional Spatial Strategy and Supplementary Planning document for Swindon's future development.

E-mail: greiss@swindon.gov.uk

Jon Wilshaw
Projects Manager

Jon has been with the team since February 2001 and as Projects Manager heads up the work of the GWCF ‘Field’ team. Jon’s work is currently focussing on green infrastructure planning and creating stronger links with the statutory planning functions of local authorities. He is also leading on issues relating to biodiversity and the development of physical activity based programmes primarily through the Active Swindon project.

E-mail: jwilshaw@swindon.gov.uk

Patrick Norris
Field Officer

Patrick’s role is primarily project development with the emphasis on the more rural areas of the Community Forest. The main areas covered are woodland creation and management linked to access and recreation initiatives.  With a broad range of countryside management skills, Patrick also advises on nature conservation, habitat management and biodiversity issues.

E-mail: pnorris@swindon.gov.uk

Heather Lilley
Community Education Officer

Heather works with the local communities to advise and support them on local projects towards the creation of the Great Western Community Forest. Heather also provides support for community groups who wish to help manage their local woodlands and other open space and creates and organises opportunities for the local community to play a part, through hands-on activities and treeplants, training, festivals, events and consultation exercises.

E-mail: hlilley@swindon.gov.uk

Jane Lane
Office Administrator

Jane provides a supporting role to the many varied projects the Community Forest team delivers and provides administration management and a front of house service for the project.

E-mail: jlane@swindon.gov.uk

Nan Pratt
Active Swindon Development Officer
(family based learning)

The Active Swindon team aim to increase the proportion of physically active people by 1% per year to improve health and well-being. Nan’s role is to encourage physical activity in the great outdoors through encouraging young people of any age to enjoy weekly Forest School experiences and to participate in conservation tasks. Nan also promotes increased walking, running and cycling activities for all age groups.

One of her favourite quotes is by Dr William Bird, “The countryside can be seen as a great outpatient department whose therapeutic value is yet to be fully realised.”

E-mail: npratt@swindon.gov.uk