About

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Cheryl is a woodswoman, conservation arborist and an independent trees and woodlands consultant with a speciality for ancient and veteran trees. 

Originally from Singapore and a graduate in media and mass communication, Cheryl Silvawood (formerly ‘Duerden’, and ‘Fan’) started out in professional photography and journalism in 2002, travelling around the world on assignment. A chance opportunity – as a writer/photographer tagging along on a field trip – opened her eyes to nature conservation. She discovered and learned about tropical rainforests, mangroves and coral reefs, qualified as a scuba diving instructor and plunged with conviction into the underwater world, a surreal dimension that still captivates her till today.

On her journey of discovery, researching and sharing with others the wonders of the shallows and deep, she has travelled to remote islands and witnessed Nature’s fascinating scenes and wildlife; rare birds of paradise, immense trees, endangered dugongs, sharks and whales were some of the most amazing things she has ever seen. After moving to the UK, Cheryl took a hiatus but soon realised that conservation hadn’t left her yet and earned the chance of working with one of the largest conservation organisations in Europe. Since then she has been learning as much as possible about the natural history of Britain and has found her area of speciality, trees, which are the oldest living organisms on the planet.

This blog documents Cheryl’s journey with the oldest beings on the planet, and complements her efforts in sharing her experiences through social media, online features, BBC Gardeners’ World, podcasts, talks, interviews and guided walks. She also holds nature inspired creative writing workshops and co-creates woodland events where people can find a deeper connection to the living planet, trees and nature. She enjoys writing poetry inspired by the natural world, reflecting on her time spent physically and spiritually amongst wild things and trees. She has aspirations to publish a book about her adventures one day.

Currently working part-time at the Resurgence Trust supporting Satish Kumar’s ambassadorial work, events and editorial for ‘Resurgence & Ecologist‘ magazine, Cheryl is also a Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory verifier, a trustee at the Ancient Tree Forum, a trustee at Hakeford Woods CIO, and a director of a creative arts community interest company (CIC) called Evolving Events. She is also a nature-inspired intuitive Zentangle artist (Helix Nature Art) and a professional vocalist/lyricist (Amanita Grove).

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*Public & Products Liability Insured ~ Professional Indemnity Insured*

(All text, images and videos on this site are copyright of Cheryl Aurora Silvawood)