Meet Jack Willoughby

• Explorer

• Expedition Leader

• Researcher

• Outdoor Educator

Jack in the mountains

Who am I ?


I often wear two hats, the first as a forest ecophysiologist, carrying out research into the effect anthropogenic pollutants can have on forest health, and another as an expedition leader and outdoor instructor. Fortunately, I do not find these two disciplines mutually exclusive, as an outdoor professional I am lucky enough to guide groups to remote and wonderful forest locations around the world, which feeds my appetite to better understand the ecological processes underpinning the nature of these forests—then communicate this understanding to whoever will listen!

Experience

Science Program Lead Logo

Designed student led research projects for environmental science A-level students in remote environment. Delivery of residential 5 day programs, specialising in sessions such as study design (e.g. forming research questions and hypotheses, scientific methodologies), data collection (ecological sampling techniques) and data analysis (statistical approaches and interpretation).

Camp Leader Logo

Responsible for the delivery of bushcraft courses (5-day residentials) to groups of up to 90 young people, teachers and staff in remote forest environments. Led sessions in fire lighting, shelter building, trapping & tracking, wilderness cooking, plant identification, archery and tomahawk throwing. Managed all aspects of camp operations, including food preparation and administration of young people’s medication.

Expedition Leader Logo

Lead science outreach for programs for young people in an expedition format. Received training and experience in guiding during >2-week expeditions in remote environments, including further wilderness first aid training.

Grizzly Bear Guide Logo

Lead water and land-based bear viewing tours, attaining advanced boating and first aid qualifications. Managed guest expectations, safety and experience whilst viewing grizzly bears. Developed naturalist abilities and knowledge of BC flora and fauna.

Education Timeline

  • 2024

    PhD (current) in Forestry

    Bangor University

  • 2021

    MSc in Environmental Forestry

    Bangor University

  • 2018

    BSc in Biological Sciences

    University of Bristol

Language Skills

English

Fluent: Professional proficiency in verbal and written communication.

Spanish

Intermediate-Advanced: Able to converse confidently with Spanish speakers.

Welsh

Beginner-Intermediate: Able to speak and understand basic Welsh.

Qualifications

Mountain Leader

UK Mountain Training Mountain Leader Qualification with advanced wilderness first aid certification.

SKI Instructor

Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance Level 2 and British Association of Snow-Sports Instructors Level 1 qualified.

Bear Guiding

Level 1 bear viewing guide with bear awareness and safety certification.

Boating (Canada)

Small vessel operator license (SVOP), marine emergency duties (MED A3) and radio operator (ROC-M) qualifications.