Views from campus... with Mark Tomlinson

Where did it all start?  

Before studying Forest and Woodland Management I did not have much of a career plan. I worked in various jobs after school, from fitting tyres and exhausts, carrying a hod (younger readers will need to Google this), forklift operator, before working in retail for several years. After selling our house in the early 90s, we spent around five years travelling, working, mostly in southeast Asia.   

How did you get to your current position? 

Working in the forestry sector in Scotland for many years covering a range of different forester roles and different locations, I ended up in a teaching position at Newton Rigg covering units within the Level 2 and 3 programmes in forestry and arboriculture. I applied for the lecturing role at the university not long after the NSF had relocated from Newton Rigg to Ambleside following the acquisition of the FE provision by Askham Bryan College.  

What do you love about your subject?  

That’s difficult to pin down to one as all elements are essential and there is much to love. If you were to press me, I feel most passionate about the social aspects of forestry. The ways in which trees, woods and forests provide benefits for people are multifaceted and wide ranging. Forests are not just nice places to visit but provide sanctity to help us recharge. It is miraculous how they off-load negativity and restore happiness almost without us being conscious of this taking place. In addition, they provide work, places for learning and exercise the body as well as the soul.   

What was your lightbulb moment where you knew you wanted to teach others? 

I think this was a slow build rather than a lightbulb moment. The seed was sown during my undergrad when a couple of other students would ask me to spend some time with them reflecting on the previous lecture or fieldwork and we would go over our notes. As a mature student, I think they saw me as someone who understood the information better than them, however I would learn as much from them as they from me. During my working life, I have always been a mentor to others, so I suppose that my desire to help and support has always been there.  

What is your favourite part of campus? 

The campus is in the heart of the Lake District, so I guess it is at the top of what’s known as ‘Donkin’s Hill’ in the centre of the campus where there is a 360° view of the university and the surrounding fells, along with a view to Lake Windermere.   

What is the biggest change you have seen since you started working at the university? 

The development of the provision offered by the NSF. When I started, we had a foundation degree and two undergraduate programmes along with a top-up degree for students who had completed a foundation degree. Now, having dropped the foundation degree, we still have the undergraduate programmes and have added the Professional Forester Degree Apprenticeship, an MSc in Forest Science and are about to start the L4 Forest Works Manager Apprenticeship programme.  

If a graduate walked into your lecture theatre today, what’s one new thing they would be surprised to learn about? 

The addition of a specific module focused on the social aspects of forestry may surprise some of the older alumni, but this is an area which is very engaging and has developed a great deal. Our understanding of the benefits to the mental wellbeing of those who visit woodlands, supported by strong scientific evidence. Although not a new concept, it is not the first consideration of many who come to study our programmes.  

What’s your proudest achievement in your role? 

My involvement in the development, launch and delivery of the degree apprenticeship. It was a lot of work and took a few years to get there. With help and support from my colleagues, we now have a very successful programme which has been welcomed by employers within the sector. Forestry Commission trainers are also associate lecturers, and they have been very supportive with also providing opportunities for apprentice places.  

What is your area currently working on? 

I am looking to expand our reach and connections with external partners and projects. I would like to further improve our links with the many alumni that have studied at the NSF over the years, be it at Newton Rigg or at Ambleside.   

What are you currently obsessed with?  

I have recently bought a new motorbike, and I am loving my commute to work on it during the warmer weather. The commute from Carlisle to Ambleside must be one of the best journeys to work anyone could have! With our daughters now flown the nest, I really enjoy meeting up with them and either going to the cinema, gigs or other activities that are new.  

Music has always been important to me. I don’t play, just listen, and I am looking forward to some gigs this year. I recently saw Emma-Jean Thackery who is amazing and later this year a band from Manchester who I first saw in the early eighties are playing, A certain Ratio or ACR, I am looking forward to seeing them. 

What’s your idea of a great weekend? 

Spending time with my family and friends, relaxing with a beer or two. Oh, and a walk in the woods with my wife and our dog, Rosie. If the weather is good, spending time riding my bike around the English and Scottish border. As a Carlisle United fan, I should include matchday during the season.   

Give us your Cumbria top tips... 

Borrowdale is my favourite valley in the Lake District. An evening meal at the Featherston Arms in Kirkoswald, particularly pie night on Thursdays. There are too many walks to enjoy all over Cumbria to mention one specifically. If looking for quiet places during the peak season, I would suggest heading to the northwest of the Lake District, Ennerdale, Lorton Vale or Loweswater are far from the crowded honeypot areas.   

Find out more about the history of the National School of Forestry here.

Find out more about National School of Forestry courses here. 

Have you enjoyed reading about Mark? We would love to hear the views from more of our academic staff, who would you like to hear from next? Let us know, email alumni@cumbria.ac.uk