Meet The Team

Meet The Team

Phil Sturgeon

Chair

Phil is a software engineer by trade, and the only person on the team without a dog. This might need to change. Phil grew up between Bristol and Bath, and moved to New York City to "make it big" in tech. After spending some time trying to save the world with a carpooling app, he ended up working for a company that sold expensive co-working spaces, and realised he wasn't doing much to help fight for the climate anymore.

Escaping the concrete jungle of New York City, Phil spent the next 2 years cycling around Europe as a bike nomad, fundraising 100,000 trees with various charities, and pushing people to get their carbon footprint as low as possible. Protect Earth was a logical extension of those goals, as Phil now cycles from site to site, putting up fences, weeding, planting trees, then off on the bike to the next one.

Andy Herd

Trustee

Andy is a software engineer based in West Lothian, Scotland.

Prior to Protect Earth he coordinated a whitewater canoe slalom competition for many years and also volunteered with Livingston Round Table, helping to raise £100,000 for local charities and good causes.

He enjoys spending time enjoying the great British outdoors and he's passionate about fighting climate change to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy this beautiful planet.

Julian Cheal

Trustee

Julian is a software engineer based in Bath, England. Originally hailing from the Welsh Valleys. He enjoys making and playing music and if the weather is nice running and cycling. At home he has an Air Source Heat Pump, and is looking at installing Solar and battery storage to help reduce his climate impact.

As a trustee he helps the charity navigate the tech landscape to help make sure it is using technology as efficiently as it can. He also enjoys visiting Protect Earth sites helping with odd jobs and keeping the tea flowing.

Steve Wiltshire

Ecologist

Steve has been fascinated with the natural world since childhood. He has worked in nature conservation for 15 years with organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Wildlife Trusts and Natural England. He enjoys reading and writing about wildlife, and has written numerous articles for 'Birdwatching' magazine. Steve currently lives in rural Herefordshire where he enjoys looking for butterflies, dragonflies, and birds… often accompanied by his Jack Russell 'Stanley Kubrick.'

Kathy Sturgeon

Events Coordinator

Kathy is a retired primary school teacher who was her school's environmental education subject leader. As a Brownie Guider and pack holiday advisor for many years Kathy was able to share her love of nature outside the school environment too. Nowadays, when she is not enjoying her own garden and family time, she volunteers with Protect Earth as Events Organiser.

Angus Mundin

Site Inspector

Angus is a Bath, Somerset local through and through, passionate about the area he calls home.

At Protect Earth, you'll find Angus getting involved with planting and maintenance with everyone. But his main mission is facilitating updates to evidence how things are going on the ground at our projects nationwide. He visits sites the charity has worked on to survey how the trees are getting on, taking photos and videos to report back to the charity and the public.

Angus met Phil at a BBQ after a volunteer event and has been following him around ever since, always looking to getting involved in the next project or adventure.

Help Protect Earth - Take Action Now

Volunteer

Help us create and maintain new woodlands, hedgerows and wildflower meadows! We need volunteers to sow seeds, plant saplings, clear invasive plant species and pick up litter. No qualifications necessary; jobs for all ages and abilities. Come and turn climate anxiety into climate action!

Fund Our Work

With government funding for reforestation and rewilding tenuous, we increasingly rely on our amazing community to keep us growing regardless of political shifts. Help Protect Earth continue to restore ecosystems and improve biodiversity across the country.

Support the Land Fund

Help us put down roots! Your donations to our Land Fund let us seize the moment when the perfect piece of land comes up for sale. Every penny helps us secure community woodlands, healthier ecosystems, and a greener future for generations to come.