AFON Mentoring
If you've read all of our Careers Hub resources and would like some more personalised, tailored advice, you might want to join our Mentoring scheme. We can partner you with one of our mentors - conservation professionals working in the sector who are here to help you develop the skills needed to progress in conservation! Find out more about our mentors below and if you'd like to be assigned a mentor follow the instructions at the bottom of this page.
Writing, Art and Media
Julia Migné (she/her)
Julia is the Film Manager for Wild Earth Oceania Film Festival, the first-ever wildlife film festival in Australia. A conservationist and communicator, she uses her skills to share stories about nature to inspire, educate, entertain and empower people all over the world. Julia is also the co-founder of INKLINE, an international media platform, which features positive news and interviews with go-getters championing sociocultural causes.
Education and Engagement
Carl Chapman
Carl Chapman worked in the world of finance for over 30 years, which prepared him for starting his own business: Wildlife Tours and Education.Carl regularly does outdoor walks and workshops, online and in-person illustrated talks on subjects ranging from ornithology to cetology working alongside bird clubs, local authorities, the Field Studies Council and rewilding estates. Carl also teaches wildlife photography. He is based in Norfolk and is the County cetacean and Pinniped Recorder.
Science and Policy
Emily Cunningham (she/her)
Emily is a marine biologist and award-winning ocean conservationist. She has over a decade of experience at the forefront of ocean conservation, both in the UK and overseas. She previously served on the Board of the Marine Conservation Society and was named a global "30 under 30" environmental leader in 2020. She has spent much of the last year working on an expedition ship in Antarctica and the Americas and is currently writing her first book.
Land Management and Conservation
Luke Barley (he/him)
Luke Barley is a tree and woodland adviser for the National Trust, where he works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the management of woods for nature, the conservation of ancient trees, tree safety, and woodland creation - along with anything else woody that comes along. He was previously a ranger and remains most interested in getting positive work moving on the ground.
How to get your AFON mentor:
1. Read the Mentoring Information Pack and Mentoring Agreement
2. Download this application form and fill it in.
3. Send it to mentors@afocusonnature.org
4. Our Mentoring Officer will message your preferred mentors in order and
be in touch shortly to introduce you to your mentor.