About us

Dr Karen Blackport

CEO

Dr Blackport is an experienced businesswoman and ecosystem health scientist, with 25 years of experience in industry and environmental organisations.  A Member of the IUCN Commission of Ecosystem Management, as well as Trustee of a number of Scottish environmental organisations, Dr Blackport works at international, national and local level to restore natural ecosystems and connect people to Nature and heritage.

Lisa McLeish

Biodiversity Officer

As Bright Green Nature’s Biodiversity Officer, Lisa holds a pivotal role in developing and implementing the Biodiversity Action Plan for our sites, with a particular focus on enhancing the ecological integrity of the Deer Park and Haining sites, implementing targeted conservation strategies to promote species diversity, protect endangered species and restore natural habitats over the long term.

Lisa has a deep-rooted passion for nature and has dedicated her career to protecting the natural environment of the Scottish Borders.  She brings a wealth of experience in species and habitat conservation and a collaborative approach, having held key positions with several Borders-based environmental organisations, including the local Wildlife Trust Group.  Currently she is the coordinator for the local branch of Scottish Badgers and was instrumental in setting up the new Scottish Borders Pine Marten group.

What is your favourite plant/animal? I’ve always had an interest in all wildlife but the one creature that I never tire of watching is the badger.  One of our most iconic native species, there is nothing more magical than spending a summer evening watching them at their sett, eagerly waiting for that beautiful black and white striped face to appear at the entrance, ready for a night of foraging. I’ve been privileged to spend many hours out in the field surveying for setts and monitoring local clans with one of my many trail cameras.  I’ll never tire of the joy and excitement of watching them go about their daily lives and that first glimpse of a tiny badger cub making its first steps into the big, wide world.

Why are you interested in nature restoration? As one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world it is vital that we do all we can to restore and protect our precious habitats.  As a child I remember spending Sundays with my grandad, exploring the local environment for birds such as curlew and lapwing and it saddens me that my nieces and nephews may never experience that joy.  Nature is such a vital part of our lives and we need it now more than ever.  Through my work with Bright Green Nature I feel I can finally make a real difference and, working from the ground upwards, I believe we really can restore nature to how it should be.

Jenny Gries

Engagment Officer

Jenny’s role is a pivotal addition to Bright Green Nature’s mission of fostering environmental stewardship, providing nature-based learning and skills development and helping people across our region to reconnect with Nature.

With her wealth of experience in nature-based education, ecosystem approaches to restoration and community engagement, Jenny is well-positioned to inspire and support people in transforming their surroundings into thriving, nature-rich habitats and to effectively collaborate with diverse groups, empowering them to take active roles in environmental preservation.

In her role, Jenny works closely with local communities to develop and implement practical strategies for restoring natural ecosystems and processes, including supporting our partnership with the Red Squirrel Recovery Network.

What is your favourite plant/animal? Ooh this is tricky.  There are too many to choose from! I’d  probably have to go for the red squirrel as my favourite native animal – we redheads have to stick together after all!  Also, there’s just something about their food-caching skills that takes me back to childhood.  Being one of four, I had to learn to hide my Saturday sweeties really well to make them last the week!

In terms of my favourite plant, this is easier.  Growing up on the coast in Orkney, both plants and people acquire a certain type of resilience, and for me this gentle strength is perfectly symbolised by the sea pinks (Armeria Maritima) which blanket our cliffs and coastlines from May through to September.

Fraser Murray

Community Engagement Officer

Fraser joined Bright Green Nature towards the end of 2024 after meeting Jenny and Justine at a major rewilding conference in Perth.  He had attended the conference with the dream of gaining a role within an organisation that would allow him to work in nature restoration, and where he would also have the opportunity to share this message with young people.  The role of convenor for our Scottish Borders Young Rewilders Forum is therefore a perfect fit.

Perhaps surprisingly, Fraser has spent the majority of his career (over 40 years) in various roles within the motor trade!  However, he has a raft of transferable skills which he combines with a deep-rooted desire to improve nature, reduce the impact of climate change and make the world a better place for the younger generation.  He is disappointed by the damage that many of his generation have caused and he is keen to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

What is your favourite plant/animal?  Since I was a child, I have always been an admirer of the Scots Pine.  A truly iconic tree that although no two ever look the same, is always instantly recognisable.  There are parts of the country where most other trees have disappeared and yet examples of this rugged and resilient species remain.  Many are hundreds of years old and have witnessed man-made damage to their home environment.  I hope they can now witness the reverse, and that as nature recovers, so does the Scots Pine population.

Why are you interested in nature restoration?  As a keen trail runner and hill walker I truly appreciate the great outdoors and the natural beauty of our own country.  I do worry about the state of nature globally and the resulting eco-anxiety often displayed by young people.  But by working to restore nature at a local level, and by involving young people in the process, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a real difference – for nature and for people.

Justine Swinney

Volunteer Project Coordinator

An experienced supply chain specialist, Justine brings substantial expertise in process development, change management and stakeholder relationships.  Justine’s primary role is to manage our Wild Your Space! Microgrant programme.

What is your favourite plant/animal?  Tricky question, but on balance I would have to say the barn owl.  They are so beautiful, so perfectly adapted and their serenity in flight always stops me in my tracks on an early morning dog walk.

Why are you interested in nature restoration?  I’ve always been passionate about wildlife and the environment, but reading Isabella Tree’s amazing book “Wilding” was a pivotal lightbulb moment for me, illuminating the fundamental interconnectedness within nature and the critical importance of biological diversity and natural processes.  It’s so easy to become despondent about loss of species, habitat and balance, but wilding offers a real sense of hope that, if we put our energy into it, we can help nature restore some of what we have destroyed.