WHAT WE DO

Our aim is to provide environmentally sustainable and low impact outdoor experiences which inspire, challenge and motivate people, enabling them to discover more about the natural environment, each other and themselves. We deliver the activities personally, with a small and dedicated team of professional associates. We use our own venue as well as others nearby. All our activities are based in the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

WILD FOOD, BUSHCRAFT & NATURAL HISTORY – ADRIAN BOOTS

Adrian is a landscape ecologist, researcher and conservation adviser with a passionate interest in wild food, nature conservation and the history of the landscape. Adrian has a BSc (Hons) in Geography & Environmental Management (and the Blackwell Prize for outstanding academic achievement), an MSc in Built Environment Research and has worked as a Research Associate and lecturer at the University of the West of England (UWE). He has worked as a farm conservation adviser for several years, helping farmers and landowners achieve greater environmental benefits from their land.

Adrian's published work includes research papers at conferences of The British Ecological Society, The British Geographical Society and The International Association for Landscape Ecology (of which he is a member). He recently contributed a chapter on Inclosure Act Field Boundaries to ‘A History of Blagdon Volume IV’ (2007), and writes a popular monthly article on wild food for regional magazine, The Mendip Times. He recently authored a book on Wild Walks for the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Service, and designed an educational Nature Trail for Barton Children’s Centre. He is a member of Active Mendip.

MTB & ORIENTEERING – DAVE PARKE
Dave is an experienced and skilled outdoorsman with a friendly & approachable style. He has built up an enviable wealth of experience in a wide range of outdoor activities, starting with walking in the Lake District as a child. He has been mountain biking since 1989, and his more adventurous trips and expeditions include riding off road from Manchester to the Lake District, via Scotland! He continues to organise countless trips & expeditions throughout the UK for friends, and even took his wife mountain biking in California for their honeymoon! His daughter was introduced to a mountain bike with dad before her first birthday, and loves biking. He has good knowledge of mountain craft and leadership (some acquired in the Scouts) and is a qualified mathematics teacher.
Dave is equally happy giving experienced riders a confident lead on the more challenging trails the Mendips have to offer, as he is when encouraging families with children or less experienced bikers to gain confidence or just have a fun day out on less demanding terrain. A great leader, Dave never fails to inspire and motivate you whilst keeping you safe.