Damian Aubrey

Biography

I first became a member of the John Muir Trust in 1995 when studying at Aberdeen University. I was an active member, and later President, of the university’s mountaineering club, during which time I spent most weekends in some of Scotland’s wildest places. I became aware of the Trust’s work to protect such places and would later write my Masters thesis as a management plan for the Trust’s Strathaird Estate.

Since completing a Masters degree in Rural Resource Planning, I have held positions with Scottish Natural Heritage, working towards the designation of the Cairngorms National Park in 2003, and in rural Uganda managing a remote nature reserve. I then worked for over 15 years developing commercial scale onshore wind farms, gaining a thorough understanding of planning policies and procedures.

I have completed several ‘thru hikes’ of the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail in USA, and the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand. Each of these involved spending around five months hiking through some of the most pristine wild areas and developing a deep love of wild places, which led me to complete a Masters Degree in Conservation Leadership at the University of Cambridge in 2018.

I offer the Trust significant professional experience of the planning process, experience of immersion in wild land and my passion for its protection.

I believe that individuals should be encouraged to experience wild places, since only then will they perceive its intrinsic value and advocate for its protection.

Damian was previously a co-opted Trustee for a year (2023-2024), as our planning procedures and regulations specialist.

Member since

1995