Michael Cunningham has joined Protect Earth as our Project Manager, bringing hands-on expertise and a strong track record in conservation. With a BSc (Hons) in Countryside and Wildlife Conservation, chainsaw certification, and even PADI Rescue Diver training, Michael is well-equipped to support our growing network of planting and maintenance projects. He’s here to ensure that everyone involved with Protect Earth—from landowners with mature projects to new sites preparing to plant—feels supported, understood, and well taken care of.
Where have you come from?
I’m from Wales - Radnorshire, between Builth Wells & Hay-on-Wye. However I have lived in Yorkshire, Devon, West Wales, Dorset and have been in Bristol on and off for the last 15 years.
Have you been in the environmental sector, and for how long?
I have been brought up with the love of the countryside, and have worked in the environmental sector since my Wildlife and Countryside conservation degree in 2003-2006. I have also been involved in Business, Arts & Tourism in Wales.
For the Wildlife Trust I have jumped out of a plane to raise money for the Red Squirrel, ran Family events for the RSPB, tested water for the Environment Agency and was even a Youth Worker for Exeter City Council. I have run my own businesses and am also a director of a small non-profit.
What are you most excited about doing at Protect Earth?
I can’t wait to follow a project from inception to completion, especially Protect Earth’s new site between Bristol and Bath. I really love woodland management and will be keeping an eye on projects throughout the UK with restocking and ongoing maintenance.
I have already been on a wonderful woodland creation walk, helped run a corporate team building day and have been looking into all the past and present projects getting to know the whole team! I’m excited to have my finger on the button!
What makes you excited about Protect Earth’s future?
Protect Earth has many sites and are doing a great job with getting sponsors and funding and I can see their work really taking off! With the ability to sponsor biodiversity, invasive species management as well as tree planting, & tree guard removal, from old plantations, and so much more! Hedgerows, meadows, agroforestry - there is something for all flora and fauna lovers!
What’s your favourite tree species and why?
I love the Hazel (Corylus avellana), It’s not just the way it grows and the Hazel nuts it produces, but also because of the very special Doormouse - Muscardinus avellanarius - or more commonly known as the Hazel mouse. This tiny bundle of soft fluff, found at the base of trees and scurrying from branch to branch is an endangered species!
I also love coppicing and working in woodlands and the Hazel has so many uses!
I love watching the first nuts appear on a 5-year-old tree and you can tell this species apart from others due to their iconic catkins - but did you know they also have flowers?!
Ancient woodland, temperate rainforest, or peat bog - where would we find Michael on a day off?
Ancient woodland definitely! I am always in the woods or in the rivers or ocean!
Are you a birder, fossil hunter, camper, wild swimmer, or forager?
I am a wild swimmer - I swam the Dart 10k last year and am raising money for the Bantham Boomerang in July!
In a world without barriers, what is the one species you’d like to see thrive in the UK, either already present or to be reintroduced and why?
Scimitar-toothed cat. I think it would be great to have this long lost predator keeping us humans on our toes!
If this seems too radical then I want more protection for birds, habitat creation to ensure they thrive! Increasing hedgerows and woodlands, safeguarding waterways to provide abundance of fish, amphibians and reptiles as well as mammals and birds!
My species of choice would be the Osprey - *Pandio halieatus *listed as Schedule 1 species in ‘The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981’.
Biodiversity stabilisation is multifaceted (as in, there is no single solution to solve this crisis); what is the one thing we can do in the UK for the biggest win?
The best thing anyone can do is take their friends and family into nature - inspire questions and look for the answers, to remain positive and hopeful, whilst educating others about decline of biodiversity, is the best way to inspire personal change and become an active member of society and make the changes in any small or big way that you can - weather if to your school, your company or the government!
Unsure how to get involved, follow conservation organisations and help raise their profile or funds for them! Become a Nature influencer!