People

Karen Chambers

karen.chambers@theaccesscompany.com
tel: 0131 229 1941

Karen has been an environmental consultant for over 20 years, specialising in the interface between the environment and local communities. She is an experienced project manager with a background in forestry, ecology and community land, and expertise in community consultation, research and planning. Trained in Participatory Appraisal techniques, she has worked extensively with local communities throughout Scotland, understanding their needs, celebrating their identities and helping develop their aspirations. This has included the production of several community films.

Recent projects have included an assessment of the accessibility of all their Nature Reserves for Scottish Natural Heritage, an evaluation of the sustainability and popularity of a range of innovative installations (solar powered boat, PDA-led island journeys, interactive map etc) for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, a development plan for the community owned settlement of Kinlochleven, Scotland and a feasibility study for the development of a Forest School for the City of Edinburgh Council.

Karen has an Honours Degree in Architecture and a Masters Degree in Resource Management. Before founding her own practice, Margin, she was employed as Senior Consultant to PEFS Planners, and was Associate Director with Northern Planners, Edinburgh. She also worked with the Millennium Forest for Scotland Trust and has lectured in ecology at the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University on the Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture.

Karen has organised and chaired a range of conferences and seminars including the Social and Environmental seminar and workshop at the second National Urban Forestry Conference and a seminar on wildlife policies for Scottish local authorities.

Karen is based in Edinburgh. She has three children, is also an artist and filmmaker and avid reader and enjoys hill walking and sailing in her spare time.