Originally from Yorkshire, UK, and based in Hong Kong since 1987, I'm a writer and photographer, also nature tour leader and ecological consultant, with a strong interest in wildlife and conservation issues including global warming.

Writing and photography for books and magazines

I've written numerous articles for magazines including BBC Wildlife, National Wildlife and Reader's Digest, and written and contributed to books including Hong Kong Pathfinder: 24 day-walks in Hong Kong. (You can find various articles and photos, plus info on Pathfinder, on this site.)

I contributed to 1001 Natural Wonders: You Must See Before You Die [Amazon UK; for Amazon US: 1001 Natural Wonders : Places You Must See in Your Lifetime], and was a major author of Central Ridge and West (covers HK country parks from Ma On Shan west to Tai Lam, published by Friends of the Country Parks, 2006). Also main writer of a Hong Kong Tourism Board booklet, Discover Hong Kong Nature, published in late 2006; several of the photos are mine, and I gave advice during production.

Video and Film Making

I was co-producer of Explore Wild Hong Kong, a 28-minute film on nature tourism in Hong Kong, sponsored by Cathay Pacific.

Also conceived and edited two viral videos - A Woman Missed Her Shark Fin Soup in Hong Kong, and Shark sister tantrum in Hong Kong, to boost awareness of need for shark conservation. The former proved especially successful, with over 860,00 views on youtube; both appeared on an MTV show, DJ and the Fro.

Copywriting and Editing for Businesses

I'm also a copywriter and editor, working mainly for public relations companies with a range of corporate clients. This work ranges from writing press releases, through drafting and revising speeches, to working on newsletters and brochures.

Website Building and Search Engine Optimization

I'm experienced in creating websites, using software including Macromedia Dreamweaver and two open-source content management sytems: Joomla and Drupal. 

I have buit and manage several sites using Drupal, including this site; Hong Kong Outdoors; CheungChauHK - on Cheung Chau, the island where I live; and a site on my hometown, Scarborough, North Yorkshire; plus a humour site, hehelarious.

Promoting Nature Tourism

Believing nature tourism can help protect wildlife and wild places, I was instrumental in making Beidaihe in east China a hotspot for travelling birdwatchers. After leading and co-leading migration surveys at the town from 1985 to 1990, I helped launch birding tourism there, initially through planning and co-leading Sunbirder tours; also organised and co-led a tour for Ornitholidays.

Also promoting nature tourism in Hong Kong. Here, I have co-led birding tours with companies including Limosa, Ornitholidays and Sunbirder. Became director of a small nature tour company, FirstStep Nature Tours (focused on Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve; company closed partly thanks to silly red tape from government). Currently trying to push nature tourism here, including through Hong Kong Outdoors - and Explore Wild Hong Kong!

Environmental Consulting

I've worked on environmental assessments in Hong Kong: chiefly bird surveys at sites where developments were planned. Also for World Bank funded projects (and potential projects) in China - in Sichuan, northeast Inner Mongolia, Fujian, and Zhejiang. Here, too, aimed to boost conservation, partly by encouraging nature tourism.

Scientific Background

I have a BSc in Chemistry from Durham University and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from Cambridge University.>

Outstanding Earth Champion

In November 2008, I was acknowledged as an Outstanding Earth Champion by the Earth Champions Foundation.
 

Contact me

Just wild about this many splendoured place Article about me in Hong Kong Trader (from HK Trade Development Council).