Mary-Jane Wilshire – Director
I was raised on a sheep farm in the Cambrian Hills just 10 miles North of Aberystwyth in Mid West Wales. It was my good fortune to spend a childhood, living, working and playing in beautiful farmland. I went on to get a degree in Geography, a teaching qualification and a masters in landscape conservation, driven by an interest to open up opportunities for engagement in the nature world.
I have worked for a number of different organisations both in the public and voluntary sector, developing, managing and resourcing projects that promote involvement in the environment . I have taught geography in secondary schools, I have worked for Groundwork as an Environmental Education Manager and Learning Through Landscape supporting schools to provide outdoor learning opportunities in their grounds.
I have worked for Royal Town Planning Institute supporting communities to develop neighbourhood plans and I have worked in different departments with Bristol City Council supporting children, young people and community groups to get involved in social and environmental action . In my most recent role at Bristol City Council, I coordinated the Bristol Parks and Green Space Strategy to unlock their significant value for people, nature and climate action.
For the last few years I have worked in leadership roles for eNGOs such as the Forest of Avon Trust and CPRE , growing my skills and experience in strategic devlopment, fundraising and programme management for tree planting, hedgerow restoration and woodland creation.
I am now delighted to be Director at More Tree, bringing people together to grow, plant and care for trees.
Emma Jones – Volunteer & Engagement Manager
My professional background is within HR management where I gained extensive experience across a variety of industries from the corporate world to charities. I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed varied and interesting roles, several of them in start-ups and stand-alone, working with a diverse range of people. On moving to Bath, I worked in Bristol for a few years before deciding on some well-earned time off.
In March 2022, I started volunteering for More Trees after discovering them on an algorithm on Instagram and have not looked back. I enjoy working with people and developing relationships. I feel a deep connection with what More Trees is doing and with the community we are building.
I am a sports lover and a regular at the Rec watching Bath Rugby. I am also a keen gardener growing my own produce and enjoy being in nature regularly trail running and open water swimming.
Sonny Walton – Community Tree Nurseries Manager
I have a great passion for the natural world, and this has led me into numerous interesting opportunities and roles. I studied biology at university and palaeontology for my PhD. But it doesn’t end there – there is still plenty to learn! I also worked for the Wildlife Trusts as a Reserves Officer, and I have more recently lectured at the University of Bath on Conservation Biology.
I was lucky enough to find More Trees from a leaflet dropped through my door about a local planting scheme, and I decided to pop along and help. It was a great day, and everybody was so friendly and welcoming. I became a regular volunteer, and I was involved with the development of the new Central Nursery at Redland Park from the onset.
I feel fortunate that I am now working for More Trees as I really believe in our work of growing trees with communities so that we can help the environment and ourselves. I hope that I can pass on my enthusiasm for the work that we do to the people that I meet through my role in the same way the team at More Trees did for me.
Now I just have to try and get the new Central Nursery site finished!