I had the opportunity to learn from organisations such as Ponda, who are pioneering new uses for crops grown on wet peatlands. One example that completely changed my perspective was bulrush (Typha or Cattails depending on where you’re from) a plant many of us know from the edges of ponds and wetlands. Rather than seeing it as just another wetland plant, researchers and businesses are finding remarkable uses for every part of it.  

The soft, fluffy seed heads can be processed into an incredibly lightweight natural insulation, offering a sustainable alternative to goose down and polyester. It’s even been featured in Stella McCartney fashion collections, showing how ideas that began as research are beginning to reach the mainstream. Meanwhile, the long fibrous leaves can be pressed into strong fibreboards for use in low-carbon buildings, providing a renewable alternative to more carbon-intensive construction materials.  

For me, this was a real lightbulb moment. I’d always thought of peatland restoration as something centred on protecting habitats and reducing carbon emissions. Suddenly I could see something much bigger. Restoring landscapes wasn’t just about conservation – it could inspire entirely new industries, support rural economies and create innovative products that people use in their everyday lives. It showed me that working with nature doesn’t have to mean giving things up. Sometimes it means discovering completely new ways of doing things.  

It’s exciting to see these ideas gaining momentum. Most recently, the UK Government announced new funding in England to support higher water table farming on lowland peat, recognising the growing importance of farming systems that protect peat soils while supporting productive businesses. While my role is now focused on Scotland, it feels like we’re at the beginning of a really exciting shift in how we value these landscapes across the UK.  

While I loved working in peatlands, I found myself becoming increasingly interested in something else: the people involved in these projects. My other academic background is in human geography, so I’ve always been fascinated by the relationship between people and place – how landscapes shape communities, and how communities, in turn, shape the landscapes around them. 

As I spent more time working on restoration projects, I realised I was becoming just as interested in the conversations taking place around the table as the science happening in the field. I wanted to better understand how communities could have a stronger voice in shaping landscape change, how local people could benefit from natural capital investment, and how we could bring together landowners, farmers, businesses, investors and communities to develop projects collaboratively. That combination of environmental restoration and meaningful community engagement is what drew me to Community Land Scotland and the Natural Capital Community Partnerships project. 

Natural capital is sometimes talked about in terms of carbon, biodiversity or finance, but at its heart it’s much simpler than that. It’s about recognising the value of the natural world around us and making sure that healthy peatlands, rivers, woodlands and coastal habitats continue to provide benefits for future generations. Just as importantly, it’s about ensuring that the people who live and work in these landscapes are involved in shaping their future and share in the benefits they create.  

My role will continue to build on my experience in peatlands, but it also gives me the opportunity to work across a much wider range of habitats. Although these landscapes are all different, they have something important in common: they all rely on strong partnerships and meaningful community engagement to create lasting change.  

One of the things I’m most looking forward to is meeting the people already doing incredible work across Scotland. Every project has its own story, its own challenges and its own opportunities. Whether it’s a community woodland, a peatland restoration project, a river catchment partnership or a coastal initiative, I’m excited to listen, learn and help build connections that create lasting environmental and community benefits.  

I’m really looking forward to this next chapter and to working alongside communities, landowners, organisations and partners across Scotland. Together, I hope we can help demonstrate that restoring nature isn’t just good for the environment, it can strengthen communities, support local economies and create exciting opportunities for the future.  

If you’d like to find out more about the Natural Capital Community Partnerships programme or discuss how we might support your project, I’d love to hear from you.