Meet the team

The North Bournemouth Reserves are managed by an enthusiastic team of rangers and their volunteers. They carry out various tasks to maintain and enrich the important habitats on these sites for both wildlife and visitors alike.

Our Rangers

Tom Bennett (Senior Ranger)

Tom has a Diploma in Forestry and a National Diploma in Countryside Management, he is also an NVQ assessor in Environmental Conservation and has worked within the industry for the last 15 years.

He started working for Bournemouth Borough Council at Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve in August 2014, where he manages the North Countryside Team. He loves the outside and enjoys playing football and cricket in his spare time.

Yanina Stockings (Heathland Mitigation Ranger) 

Nina has a BSc in Conservation Biology focusing on heathland conservation. She grew up in the Highlands of Scotland where her love of the outdoors and nature developed. Nina spent 5 years working for the Urban Heath Partnership (UHP), firstly as an Education Assistant then as a Conservation Grazing and Heathland Mitigation Ranger. Nina started in September 2014 with Bournemouth Borough Council and her role involves projects to reduce human and dog impact on SSSI areas. Nina has headed several of these projects at the Stour and SSSI sites such as the perennial wildflower area, new heathland interpretation boards, reptile monitoring and re-vamping the Gulliver’s Trail.

Her interests include gardening, bonsai, modern classic cars and hiking.

James Boyland (Ranger)

James has been part of the team at Stour Valley for the past 12 years beginning his career with Bournemouth Borough Council as a greenkeeper at the age of 17 and gradually worked up to his current role as Ranger.

Alongside the day to day running of the different nature reserves, his main responsibilities are the induction and management of the fantastic teams of volunteers, organisation of cattle on our various sites and taking a leading role when Tom, our Senior Ranger, is not around. When not working, James enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 young children as well as taking an active role in his local church and playing sport when he finds the time! 

Sophie Arnold (Assistant Ranger)

Sophie has a BSc (Hons) in Wildlife and Practical Conservation and has spent time in America and Canada surveying local wildlife. She started in May 2014 and has gone on to gain her spraying and chainsaw qualifications. Her hobbies include wildlife photography and walks.

Sarah Cresswell (Seasonal Heathland Mitigation Ranger)

Sarah holds a BSc (Hons) Geography and previously was a trainee ranger with the National Trust. She began as a seasonal back in January 2016 where she helps manage the mitigation of our heathland sites – this involves projects to reduce human and dog impact on SSSI areas, monitoring the wildlife found there and general education of site users. Sarah enjoys outdoor pursuits such as cycling, running, tennis and walking her collie Minnow. 

Becky King: Seasonal Heathland Mitigation Ranger (Dorset Dogs in Bournemouth)

Becky holds a BSc (Hons) Applied Geography and MSc Biodiversity Conservation. She began as a volunteer in October 2013 and undertook our traineeship 2016. Becky is now a Ranger working alongside Dorset Dogs to deliver doggy pit stops, guided walkies and general information on responsible dog ownership. She has a vast interest in the biodiversity and ecology of Heathland wildlife, along with a keen love of butterflies within our sites.

Jaymz Dunne (Trainee Ranger)

After spending a long time in various jobs Jaymz decided on a career change due to his interest in entomology (bugs) and herpetology (reptiles and amphibians). He wants to increase his knowledge in the conservation of these fascinating creatures. He began as a volunteer with the Stour Valley Supporters where he learned about the Trainee Ranger scheme which he started in February 2017.

In this he will have the opportunity to gain qualifications, skills and experience furthering his new career.

He has a small collection of reptiles and invertebrates, most of which are rescues from people who could no longer look after them. Jaymz is a member of two re-enactment groups (giving demonstrations of cooking methods and food, textiles and dyeing, tools and craft displays, and everyone’s favourite - combat) representing 5th-7th century Saxons and a 15th century 'war of the roses' nobleman's household.