Mel's Eco Credentials

The first 18 years of my life living in Africa, mostly in the ‘bush’ miles from any signs of civilisation.

Studies made at school of African tribal tracks in Zimbabwe.

Working with and on an African media consortium promoting rights of ‘Africans in their environment’ in South Africa.

In my own advertising agency in London worked on the advertising of and promotion of Coto Donana - nature reserve in Spain.

Won the business account of Earthwatch based on a proposal to tell the story of Dolphins, which completely turned around the profile of Earthwatch (client’s words, not mine).

Spent 20 years as a landscape photographer, with 5 awards from an international magazine and another from the Sierra Club in the USA, as well as articles in 4 publications, including one of 4 pages about my landscape photography.

Produced a book of landscape photography which appeared in 35 international media, including prime time Portuguese TV. A copy of this book is in the library of the Museum of Photography in Portugal. At the same time promoted by Quercus the prime Portuguese environment agency. This book is promoted on the Blurb website and has to date received 4,400 hits - that is not page hits, it is entire book hits. So multiply 4,400 x 120 pages, that means 528,000 total, global opportunities to see.

Helped rural communities in Portugal realise their ambitions in beekeeping through Trickle-Up (USA).

Worked for 5 years with Artists International to promote the scenery of Portugal to British, German, French and Italian companies.

Leading member of Lisbon Hash House Harriers - family walking in countryside every 2 weeks.

My photographic work has over 110 worldwide collectors.

Worked as a wwoofer on eco-hostel.

Involved with Web of Life production in Frome.

Approx 120 notices on 12 pages of Google promoting my landscape photography.

Editorial in Black and White Photography magazine lauding my book of photography of Portugal.

Launched Hug The Planet to involve children photographing nature and thus deepening and encouraging their experience, with website on face book and agreement approved by Flickr to partner their facilities.

Upcoming exhibition of environmental photographic work with up and coming eco- poet Fletcher Brown.

Ongoing mail shot to world’s top 230 photographic collectors of my landscape photography.

Work my own garden patch including herbs, raspberry, potatoes and kale. Use own composter.

New strategy change to develop photography workshops in the UK environment. Ad to run in Feb issue of Black and White Photography magazine.

Initiate proposal to share the podium talking on ecopsychology and peripheral subjects, with various speakers in Frome.

Avid cyclist since childhood.

And that’s to say nothing of the dozens of exhibitions I have held - all promoting a better understanding and love for the environment.

Currently subscribe to Positive News and Resurgence magazine. Recent reading includes: Companion Planting by Gertrud Franck, The Art of Happiness by HH Dalai Lama, Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, 2012 The Year of the Mayan Prophecy by Daniel Pinchbeck and Prehistoric Avebury by Aubrey Burl, The Work That Reconnects by Joanna Macy.

Support: Woodland Trust and Greenpeace.