Dominick Spracklen

Biography

I grew up in rural Aberdeenshire, where time spent in the Cairngorms sparked my lifelong love of wild places - and my awareness of their degradation, particularly the loss of native woodland. This early passion has shaped my career in environmental science.

As Professor of Biosphere–Atmosphere Interactions at the University of Leeds, my research highlights the wide-ranging benefits of ecological restoration, from mitigating flooding to cooling local climates. My work on native woodland expansion in Scotland directly supports national carbon targets and underpins the John Muir Trust’s Carbon Emissions Land Tax proposal to the Scottish Government.

I’ve initiated evidence-based and community-led nature recovery in Northern England, including the Nature Rich Miterdale, Restoring Hardknott Forest and Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery projects. I have successfully managed large-scale conservation and research programmes and secured over £10 million in funding. I serve on the Wild Ingleborough steering group and the World Land Trust’s Conservation Advisory Panel.

A Trust Member for over 20 years, I’ve co-organised the North West England Local Members’ group for the last decade. The Trust’s reputation for exemplary wild land management and environmental education, via the John Muir Award, is close to my heart. I am keen to help ensure this legacy continues into the future.

I would be honoured to serve as a Trustee, bringing expertise in science, fundraising, and collaborative land management. I am committed to ensuring the Trust’s land is a model for community-driven nature recovery and to helping the Trust expand its reach, impact and land ownership.

Member since

2003