Richard and Alison have been working together in nature education since 2001.  They founded Wildside Experience so that they could share their love of nature and the outdoors with others. 

Richard graduated from Bath University in 1992 with a BSc in Biology and a PGCE. He then spent 3 years teaching in a remote area of Papua New Guinea, and in his spare time studied birds of paradise in the rainforest. He assisted the BBC with their filming of Attenborough in Paradise, and is referred to by Sir David Attenborough in his autobiography, “Life on air”.

Richard has learned bushcraft skills from tribal groups in Papua New Guinea.  He has also been taught by Ray Mears and John Rhyder, and he is a qualified Advanced Bushcraft Practitioner (NCFE Level 3). He is a qualified teacher, with 11 years experience as a Science teacher at Uffculme School. 

Alison grew up in the Blackdown Hills with a naturalist father. She spent a lot of time outdoors riding, walking and foraging for wild food. She became familiar with the natural history of this area from an early age, and developed a love of nature.

Alison ran a playgroup in Ireland for 5 years. Since then she has worked at Broadhembury Primary School and Uffculme School, where she met Richard. She is a qualified Forest School Leader (OCN Level 3).

Alison and Richard both share an active Christian faith, and this underpins all that they do.