Our Rangers

Four teams of National Trust rangers work in all weathers on Fix the Fells and are highly skilled. The practical work is also supported by the Lake District National Park Authority with a ranger in the north and through the volunteer lengthsmen scheme.

Since the early 1980s, the teams have evolved into a highly skilled workforce. To build a sustainable path and recreate a natural landscape, team members must be part craftsperson and part artist.  Teams often visit other areas where similar work is undertaken and adapt ideas to the Lake District environment. They also share their skills with colleagues from other areas who wish to learn more about our work.

You can get an insight in to the working life of our ranger teams from the Ranger News posts they write.

Meet the Rangers

ade-mills

Ade Mills

Upland Ranger

I’ve a keen interest in wildlife and conservation, and of course the great outdoors. After volunteering for the RSPB and the National Trust at Arnside & Silverdale, I spent two years working on the National Trust’s Farne Islands and then on a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. I’ve worked as one of the Upland Ranger Team repairing the footpaths in the Central & Eastern Fells ever since.

Leo Walmsley

Upland Ranger

Having grown up in the Langdale valley I have many interests in the outdoors and spend as much of my own time within the hills as I do whilst working to maintain their beauty.

Greg Dobrzanski

Upland Ranger

The natural environment and conservation have always been important to me. After moving around over the last few years climbing, hiking and volunteering in the UK and abroad, I consider myself fortunate to now be able to work on the South Lakes upland team and give something back to the areas that have been a huge part of my life.

Martin Mikkelsen-Barron

Upland Ranger

I feel lucky to have been born and brought up in Cumbria and now for the last two seasons and foreseeable future I feel privileged to be working to help conserve the countryside which I have roamed and appreciated since my childhood.

Kevin Brooks

Upland Ranger

Working for Fix the Fells is the dream job that I didn’t know existed until I met the South Lakes team on a working holiday back in 2017. Since then I spent time volunteering and working for the National Trust in Bristol and Bath, then moved up to the Lakes to work for fix the fells in 2020. I love our big outdoors “office”, being part of a team, and the really positive interactions we have with people we meet out on the hills.

Iain Gray

Upland Ranger

Since joining the Trust at a young age in the previous century my sphere of activity has been extensive and peculiar, from the Sisyphean task of repairing the path to scafell pike from Wasdale head to ceremonial piping.

Jordan Worsfold

Upland Ranger

My journey with the Trust started back in 2013 as a Meadow Ranger in the wilds of London; this led to a placement on the Ranger Academy, managing the chalk downs of Buckinghamshire.
My ambition was always to work in the Lakes, it’s a place that inspires me more than any other place in the world.
I met the North Lakes upland team on Castle Crag some years ago and after a lengthy chat decided that the upland team was the life for me. The chap that I spoke to those years ago is now my boss, funny how life can work out.

Caroline Mercer

Upland Ranger

I have always loved being outside and on the fells. I started volunteering with Fix the Fells in 2012. I really enjoyed learning new skills working alongside the rangers and the volunteers so much so it led to a complete career change and I now work with the northern footpath team.

Nathan Haley

Ranger Supervisor

Having cut my teeth on the upland paths of the Brecon Beacons and journeyed through path teams in the West Lakes, Hadrian’s Wall and Snowdonia, I’m proud to now ply my trade in the South Lakes. A lifelong lover of the Cumbrian fells, I feel privileged to call the Lake District home and devote my energies to the health and future wellbeing of such a unique and emotive landscape.

Joe Dugdale

Upland Ranger

I feel extremely fortunate to have joined the west team in the beautiful Wasdale Valley where I both play a practical role in conservation and get to spend my time outdoors in the uplands. Being an assistant ranger for FTF is a dream job for me as I’ve always wanted a job that wasn’t just sitting in an office and that allows me to give back to the area that I grew up.

Annie Duckworth

Fix the Fells Ranger

My role is to organise and oversee the practical work programme for Fix the Fells. This is done to the highest standards by utilizing the skills and enthusiasm of the National Trust Upland Ranger teams and a dedicated group of Fix the Fells volunteers.

I strongly believe that we should look after the Lake District properly for future generations to enjoy, and not simply exploit and despoil it by ignoring the damage that we all inadvertently cause.

Ted Everitt-Stewart

Ranger Supervisor

I was brought up in rural Leicestershire where I spent every day outside looking after our animals. Whenever I could I’d head up North and smiled every time ‘The Lakes’ sign flashed by on the M6. Now I’m fortunate enough to live up here and enjoy every aspect of the fells in and outside of work.

Jonny Skinn

Upland Ranger

I started volunteering for the Trust in 2013 In North Yorkshire and went on to be the Academy Ranger in the region. I moved over to the Lakes to join the Central and Eastern Team in March 2017 and I have enjoyed working in such great landscapes and learning new skills from a very experienced team. I also have a great interest in wildlife (especially birds) and conservation.

Matt Tweed

Fix the Fells Volunteer Development Ranger

After cutting my teeth as a ranger in the wilds of Scotland, it’s a privilege to be helping to protect the iconic Lake District fells, inspiration for Wordsworth, Coleridge, and so many visitors since. Through work, study, and travel, I have gained an acute appreciation of the far-reaching benefits that upland conservation can bring, and it’s a real source of inspiration to be working alongside the dedicated Fix-the Fells volunteers to achieve these benefits in such a cherished landscape.

Pete Entwhistle

Pete Entwistle

Ranger Supervisor

Responsible for supervising upland path repairs and maintenance for the National Trust in the Central and Eastern Fells.

My interest in the outdoors and walking in the Lakes goes back to spending every weekend as a child walking with my parents up one mountain or another, by the time I was 10 I’d probably been up every mountain in the Lakes.

I’ve also have a keen interest in the environment and spend many hours photographing wildlife.

Liam Prior

Liam Prior

Ranger Supervisor

I’m delighted to join the Western Lakes Upland Team and get to know this stunning part of the UK a lot better. I’ve worked and travelled across the UK and some beautiful parts of the world but am happy where I’ve landed.

I enjoy camping and walking, which seems lucky with the job I have. I’m looking forward to working with a wide range of people and picking up a few tricks along the way.

Jack Hatton

Upland Ranger

Working as an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor in the South Lakes, I always enjoyed introducing and supporting people to appreciate the Great Outdoors. I soon found that my fascination and passion for natural history meant we didn’t get much further than the car park on a guided walk. Now, working as a Ranger in the West Lakes, I am being encouraged to share our knowledge and passion for this area and help support ways of conserving it.

Bob Smith

Upland Ranger

Having completed a season with the West team last year I’m made up to be back this time with the South Lakes team. I love being outdoors and tackling practical tasks so for me it’s a dream job and definitely the dirtiest! I feel very lucky to be playing a part in the important work being done by the Fix the Fells partnership.