Holnicote Estate woodland ranger Aislinn Mottahedin-Fardo, the new face of an outdoor equipment retailer’s sustainability campaign, is being hailed an environmental champion.

Cotswold Outdoor chose Aislinn, 31, because she makes ‘an exceptional contribution to her local area’ as a National Trust woodland ranger working to protect natural environments for future generations.

“I live and breathe my job, I absolutely love it, and I’m beyond thrilled to be the face of Cotswold Outdoor’s new campaign,” said Aislinn.

“There’s a whole team of us, so I see this as recognition for all the rangers. We all work tirelessly to care for the countryside and preserve the natural environment, so it’s healthy, safe and beautiful with functioning and resilient ecosystems while enabling visitors to access and enjoy it.”

After completing a degree and a masters in biology and animal behaviour, Aislinn worked as an assistant trainee ranger on Flat Holm and Lundy islands before landing her dream role as a woodland ranger.

“Some days, I wake up, and I can’t believe how lucky I am,” she said. “My job is so varied. I look after the trees, from planting and thinning, which helps spread light to the woodland floor and encourages wildlife, to making sure they’re safe.

“During my seven years with the National Trust, I’ve been responsible for planting about 5,000 trees, which is incredible. The weather dictates much of what we do as rangers – for example, nesting season is during spring and summer, so tree maintenance is kept to a minimum.

“Trees are essential to help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

“Now, more than ever, we are having to think about the next few centuries and consider which species of trees will survive and help minimise the damage to our planet.”

Aislinn also mentors apprentices completing the trust’s 18-month scheme: “Our apprenticeship schemes are open to all ages. We see young people and those who are looking for a career change, and the diversity in our applicants is so inspiring.

“We’re so keen to open up new routes and help people take up a future career in the conservation sector and beyond.”

Cotswold Outdoor recently launched a new multi-media advertising campaign to highlight the importance of sustainability and protecting wild places.

The campaign focuses on finding community environmental heroes like Aislinn who make a real difference to the planet. To champion them, successful candidates will star on advertising billboards.

Aislinn said it was ‘a huge surprise and a big honour’ to be chosen: “I really believe in the sentiment of this campaign and Cotswold Outdoor’s wider sustainability aims.

“I believe it will help inspire and encourage people to care more about our planet while enjoying the great outdoors.” She added: “I’m proud to work with Cotswold Outdoor and champion its sustainability message. It’s fantastic to see a retailer inspiring customers to make small but impactful changes.”