About LEEF

• Nina Arwitz
• Catherine Miller
• Dr Iain Boulton
• Justin Dillon - Chairperson
• Richard Barnes - Vice-chair
• Sarayu Shah - Treasurer
• Sharon Clouston
• Sam Crosby
• Diana Battaglia
• Michael Holland
• Lucy Harrigan

(updated May 2007)

Nina Arwitz manages the Mosaic Partnership at the Council for National Parks. The Mosaic Partnership aims to build links between black and minority ethnic communities, and National Parks in England and Wales. Nina previously worked as Outreach Development Manager for London Wildlife Trust and in this role managed the trust’s education programme.

Catherine Miller has been a professional gardener for nearly 20 years in private and public gardens all over London. In 2000/2001 she coordinated 2 successful campaigns to stop housing development on part of Meanwhile Gardens in west London. Catherine currently works for the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCGCF), a membership organisation which is involved in advice and training provision, networking opportunities and policy work. FCGCF organises part of the Camden Green Fair and holds an annual festival at Capel Manor college in Enfield.

Dr Iain Boulton is a Parks Project Officer for the London Borough of Lambeth. Iain is responsible for widening the community's involvement in the use and management of parks, commons and other open spaces. Educating and informing is one of Iain’s main duties and interests. Iain is also the lead officer for biodiversity and environmental education in Lambeth, hence his interest in and support for LEEF. Iain has been at Lambeth since 2000, before that he was a lecturer in environmental sciences, as well as a volunteer and director with a London-based farm charity. Iain is also a Committee Member of the Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE), and represens Lambeth and LEEF to a whole range of groups that aim to protect and promote London's natural, social and cultural diversity.

Justin Dillon is a senior lecturer in science and environmental education at King's College London and a member of the Centre for Informal Learning and Schools (CILS) as well as being Head of the Science and Technology Education Group. Justin directs the Chemistry PGCE programme and has frequent contact with schools throughout London. Justin's research interests focus on environmental education, teacher development and children's learning. Justin directed 'The Outdoor Classroom in Rural Context' project for the DfES and other sponsors. For several years Justin was a governor of Vauxhall Primary School (and was previously a secondary school teacher for 9 years in London). He is Chair of the London Wildlife Trust and LEEF as well as Secretary of the Bankside Open Spaces Trust.

Richard Barnes is Senior Policy Adviser (Biodiversity) for the Greater London Authority (GLA). He also picks up many of the GLA's environmental education aspirations. Richard started working in London for BTCV on a London Schools & Community Project. In 1989 he moved to LB Sutton as their nature conservation officer. It was at this time when he attended some of the first LEEF meetings. After 6 years Richard was appointed as Principal Ecology Officer at Sutton. For the last 9 years he oversaw the Ecology Centre, including steering it through the odd funding or staffing crisis! Richard is a great fan of the diverse environmental education facilities throughout London, and is especially keen to help with source funding to give these places a secure future.

Diana Battaglia is Community Initiatives Officer on the Environment & Sustainability Team at Croydon Council. Diana has been a LEEF member for some time and is active in the Environmental Education field in London. Diana was elected onto the committee at our Annual Conference at Spa School in April 2005.

Sam Crosby is Education Officer at Hampstead Heath. Sam has a background in community arts and environmental children's events, She has worked at the Sutton Ecology Centre for some time and is now using her creative skills with the Heath community to further environmental education with all users. Sam is also a freelance illustrator and environemtal artist.

Sharon Clouston is Sutton Ecology Centre Manager. Sharon has been the manager of Sutton Ecology Centre since May 2003. She has been working in environmental education since 1998 for EarthKind on their ship Ocean Defender, Beauchamp Lodge Settlement on their floating classroom and latterly at the Ecology Centre.

Lucy Harrigan has been an educator since 2001. Lucy is undertaking a secondary Science PGCE to complement her experience. Previously she workred at London Wildlife trust where she created a community project at the West Reservoir, Hackney involving many local groups in environmental activities.

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