How to be an Environmental Custodian Reimagining Leadership for a Shared Future

Introduction: Why We Wrote This Book Chapter 1. What Is Custodianship? Chapter 2. How Do Custodians Lead? Chapter 3. Finding your Starting Point: From Values to Action Chapter 4. Finding Your Place: Where Should I Focus My Efforts? Chapter 5. Focusing on Real Outcomes: What Do I Want to Achieve? Chapter 6. Advocacy: Who Do I Need to Influence? Chapter 7. Working Alongside Others: How Do I Help people Thrive and Deliver? Chapter 8. Convening – Bringing People Together, Building Trust Chapter 9. Making Change Real: How Do We Make a Difference? Chapter 10. Sustaining Yourself: How Do I Stay the Course? Chapter 11. Next Steps on the Custodian’s Way

Biography

 Alison Barnes is Chief Executive at New Forest National Park Authority, UK and has worked in the field of landscape management for more than 30 years. She is an elected Fellow of both the Landscape Institute and the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), UK. She was a founding Director at Natural England (NE), leading NE’s work in London and holding national portfolios for Landscape and Green Infrastructure, including advising on greening the London Olympics and chairing the Thames Gateway Partnership.

Earlier in her career, Alison worked in Scottish local government and with The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) on the first post-Rio Earth Summit biodiversity strategies in the UK and on opencast mine restoration projects and minerals planning. She later led on local biodiversity policy within central government (Defra) and was Head of Advocacy for English Nature, developing policy and leading advocacy across Parliament, Whitehall and Europe. She is a co-founder of the National Park City movement and a Leadership Fellow of St George’s House, Windsor Castle. She graduated from Oxford University, UK with a Masters in Biological Sciences and achieved an MSc with distinction in Conservation at University College London, UK.

Jonathan Males is a psychologist, executive coach, and author of In the Flow and The Work Revolution (2024). He grew up in Tasmania and explored its wilderness, supporting the campaign to protect the Franklin River from hydro-electric development. As a sport psychologist he has supported athletes, coaches and management teams at eight Olympic and Paralympic Games. As an executive coach he has worked with senior leaders and their teams in major companies including Ricoh Europe, Travelodge, DXC, London South Bank University, and with Natural England and The Environment Agency. Jonathan is an Accredited Master Executive Coach and Accredited Master Team Coach (APECS). He holds a First-class degree in psychology from the University of Tasmania, Australia, and a PhD in the psychology of elite performance from Aberystwyth University, UK. 

"Making peace with Nature in a safe and just world will only happen with a collective transformation in leadership. The most powerful action for all of us is to make the shift in our own hearts and minds. This book offers valuable insights for anyone stepping out on the journey."

-Mike Clark, Honorary Vice President and former CEO of RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)

"This is a wonderfully practical book that felt fresh and engaging with lots of examples that draw you in as a reader while also drawing from research with real custodians. Indeed, the talk of custodianship is refreshing and inclusive.  I found many examples and practical hints that are of great value, for example the inspiring 10 key practices near the start.  The book also values diversity of approach with no one leadership style favoured. The sense of connectedness and collaboration – to each other, to the land - really shines through, as does the dislocation from place that may happen. A definite must for the bookshelves."

-Eve Turner, Winner of 2023 EMCC Global Special President’s Award and the 2025 Coaching at Work Lifetime Achievement Award

"At a time of ecological emergency, this is an incredibly hopeful, practical and powerful book. It is packed with wisdom, strategies and ideas that can radically improve our relationship with nature and each other just when we need it most. 

Custodianship is about driving, delivering, convening, enabling and advocating for a better future. By using their deep expertise and years of experience, Alison and Jonathan brilliantly weave together stories, examples and ways of thinking that will help you become more effective in your work - and invite you to step into yourself as a custodian.

If everyone who cared about the environment read and acted on this book life on our planet would be transformed for the better.

Everyone working for the environment should read this book."

-Daniel Raven Ellison, Guerilla Geographer and founder of Slow Ways and National Park Cities

 

“This timely book sparkles with original ideas about the role of efficacious environmental custodians. Read it. Be inspired.”

-Alida Gersie, Author, Environmentalist, Trainer, and Internationally Recognized Authority on Story and Well-Rooted, Collaborative Change

“We are alive at a time of great importance, but also at a time when many people feel overwhelmed and bewildered. This book, crammed with examples and ideas will bring you to the realisation that there are many ways to express your care for the planet and all the life on it, and you just have to pick something which makes sense to you. And start on it, today!” 

-Etienne Stott, Environmental Campaigner and Olympic Gold Medallist

 

"I found myself quite emotional and moved by the way the content and the framing spoke to me.  It is both an inspiring philosophy and a practical topographical field guide.  I love how you've woven together such a rich tapestry of real stories, proposed approaches and underpinning concepts."

-Anna Brown, Board Director (Supervision, Climate & Sustainability) at APECS