North West Highlands Geopark takes on two new education and engagement officers
The North West Highlands Geopark (NWHG) has announced the appointment of two new education and engagement officers.
Jan Breckenridge and Jim Bunting will work on the Geopark’s Access, Connect and Take Part (ACT) project, which has been funded by the National Lottery.
The ACT programme, which started in July 2022 and will continue until summer 2025, aims to provide more opportunities for people to connect with the landscape through art, storytelling and citizen science.
Additionally the project is offering training opportunities for geopark ambassadors, staff and volunteers in marine heritage, place names and climate action planning.
A geologist and herbalist, Ms Breckenridge has been working in the North West Highlands for 35 years. She has previously worked as a ranger, naturalist guide and warden on Handa Island.
She was also part of the redevelopment team at Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve (NNR) in the early 2000s - she still leads walks there - and was involved in the very early development of the Geopark. She has also represented Ullapool and Lochbroom Community Council on the Geopark board.
She is currently focusing on the Geopark Ambassador and Supporter Project along with supporting the Geikie Centennial Celebration events which the geopark is holding this autumn in celebration of Sir Archibald Geikie, a leading figure in the world of Vicorian science.
Mr Bunting has worked in education for over a decade, most recently in residential study centres in upland areas of the UK, leading groups of all ages in the study of various aspects of environmental science, from geography to ecology. As a mountain leader, he is never happier than when pointing out things in the landscape and explaining why they matter.
On moving to the north west Highlands he worked as a fencing contractor. In his spare time he is a member of Assynt Mountain Rescue team and is training a dog for the team.
He enjoys sea kayaking, hill running and walking as well as singing, playing the guitar and knitting.
Mr Bunting is leading the Geopark’s Education Enrichment Project and its path improvement project and is planning further community engagement events at the park’s headquarters, the Rock Stop, and in the wider geopark area.
Geopark manager Fiona Saywell, said: “On behalf of the staff and board, I’d like to warmly welcome Jim and Jan into their new roles. Their experience and skills will be a huge asset to the charity and we’re all delighted to be working with them on these exciting projects.”
For more information on the geopark’s projects, visit its website at: https://nwhgeopark.com/
