Emma Brown: founder and Chair
Msc Global Biodiversity Conservation, PGCE.
I have Lived in Tunbridge Wells for over 20 years, bringing up my children in our beautiful High Weald landscape.
I’m a fledgling freshwater ecologist, and a Ranger at Bore Place working as part of the Nature Team. Transitioning from a career in secondary Art & Design education, I bring a many transferable skills—communication, creativity, innovation and leadership—now complemented by technical expertise in GIS, data analysis, and ecological fieldwork (including Baited Remote Underwater Video and macroinvertebrate sampling). I’m a citizen scientist with Project Ripple Effect and have practical skills in small-scale interventions for river restoration, such as beaver analogue dams.
The climate and nature crisis has been at the forefront of my mind and determining my actions for several years, but two years ago it brought me to my own tipping point. I’m finding the courage to face our challenges with clarity and purpose, and to work with nature to create solutions that restore biodiversity and soften the impacts of climate change. Protecting the natural world and the people who are part of it, is not just important — it’s essential for our shared future.
Now to introduce the rest of the Wild Wells team….
Justin Holmes: Secretary
MA (Cantab)
I live downriver of Tunbridge Wells on the River Medway in Tonbridge, which is frequently in danger of flooding. I’m active in many spheres of conservation and environmental stewardship in the area.
My interest in river health was sparked by my work with Friends of the Earth. I lead a group which has adopted Water Rangers’ testing regime to implement a monitoring programme in local streams around Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge, gathering a year’s worth of data so far.
As a trustee of High Weald Swifts, I’m also a champion of these charismatic, endangered birds, working to slow their dramatic population decline.
My background is as a civil barrister, advising and representing clients in complex Court of Protection cases.
Ross Wingfield
BSc Zoology
I live in Lamberhurst, downriver from Tunbridge Wells on the River Teise.
I’m Director of Nature Works; a passionate countryside manager with a deep-rooted belief in the power of nature-led land management.
My skills come from practical experience and experimentation from being out in the field, restoring habitats and watching wildlife return. I’ve worked with Restore, the WWT, National Trust, and High Weald National Landscape before setting up Nature Works. As an industry leader in nature restoration, I work on projects ranging from 10 to 10,000 hectares, working directly with farmers, landowners, and estates to bring nature back into the heart of land use. My approach, using truly nature-based solutions, delivers increased biodiversity, healthier ecosystems, bio-abundance, and productive and resilient landscapes that deliver for people and planet.
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Advisors
These are Wild Wells’ friends who are willing to give their time and expertise for the greater good.
Lindsey Marden
Lindsey lives in Tunbridge Wells and works for the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) as a Private Client Manager. She recently discovered that she lives over one of the streams which eventually leads into Hurst Wood.
Lindsey has experience in the fields of marketing, customer service, fundraising and business development within the financial markets, voluntary and education sectors. Her inherent strengths in relationship building and communication skills make her confident with stakeholder engagement at all levels.
Judith Malim
BSc Applied Horticulture & Business, Dip. Business Admin, City & Guilds Garden Design, certificate in Social Media Management.
Judith has lived in the area since childhood and currently resides downstream in Speldhurst. She provides social media services to Project Ripple Effect, as well as being an active citizen scientist performing riverfly monitoring and river chemical testing in the River Grom, which flows from Tunbridge Wells to Groombridge where it joins the Medway.
Judith’s a flexi homeworker combining voluntary work and parenting. She previously provided social media services to entrepreneurs and was formerly a Project Manager within Financial Services, running projects within Compliance, Marketing, IT and Audit.
Wild Wells 