Growing understandings and cultivating curiosity
Michael Holland's
Ranger Story
Michael Holland is based in Waltham Forest. He has been a Ranger since April 2021. Michael’s focus is getting people outdoors and reconnecting with nature. By day he works as a freelance nature educator.
Q1
what inspired you to become a ranger?
I first heard about the London National Park City concept back in 2019, and was fascinated by the idea of celebrating London’s green spaces. As a member of the London Environmental Educators’ Forum (LEEF), I saw being a Ranger as a great way to network and deepen my engagement with a dynamic community.
Q2
How are you making London greener, healthier, and wilder?
As a freelance nature educator, I teach both children and adults about the outdoors through workshops, gardening, and hands-on activities in schools, libraries, and green spaces. In my own garden, I create wildlife habitats with ponds, log piles, and composting. My work encourages a love for nature, from teaching children to appreciate worms to inspiring adults to engage with wildlife.
Q3
What do you think has the single most positive impact of the environmental initiatives you’ve been part of?
Publishing my children’s book I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast was a proud achievement. It’s been translated into 25 languages, spreading awareness about plants, the environment, and how we can help nature globally. Writing it, often on the London Underground, makes its success even more special.
Q4
What have you gained from being part of the LNPC Community?
I’ve made new friends, discovered hidden green spaces, and gained freelance opportunities through collaborations. It has also provided a sense of connection, helping combat the isolation that often comes with freelance work, and offering a network of like-minded individuals.
Q5
Describe your proudest moment as a ranger
Helping at events like Ranger Mike’s fungus workshops and Ranger Paula’s Earth Day event in 2024 were highlights. Engaging with diverse groups in community gardens and fostering connections through these activities felt incredibly rewarding.
Q6
Describe your most challenging moment as a Ranger and how you overcame it
Balancing my professional identity as a freelancer with my role as a Ranger has been tricky, especially knowing when it’s appropriate to wear my “Ranger hat.” I’m working on attending more Ranger events to strengthen my involvement and manage this dual identity better.
Q7
What’s next for you as a ranger?
This spring I’ll be delivering a number of nature-focused sessions at Ealing Road Library in Brent. This includes a family garden workshop and a day focused on butterflies, bees and other pollinators. This is as part of London National Park City’s partnership work with local boroughs.
Q8
What continues to motivate you on your Ranger journey?
The endless opportunities to make a difference and inspire others to connect with nature motivate me. It’s a fulfilling way of life that aligns with my work as an educator.
Q9
What has been your most memorable encounter with nature in London?
Growing up near North London woods and my parents’ vegetable garden (which produced much of what we ate) sparked my love for nature. Later, my 25 years at Chelsea Physic Garden deepened my appreciation for plants, their role in medicine, and London’s natural and historical heritage.
Q10
How can we encourage more people to ‘Do London Differently’?
We need to make green events accessible, affordable (ideally free), and engaging for diverse interests, focusing on local features like rivers or lakes. Bringing the outdoors indoors with activities like wreath-making or houseplant workshops can also attract participation year-round.
Q11
It’s 2029…as a community, what do you hope LNPC would have achieved by our 10th anniversary? And what might London look like as a result?
I hope London National Park City establishes youth Rangers in schools, builds stronger ties with the Mayor’s office and local governments, and secures a recognised place within the Greater London Authority. These steps could amplify the initiative’s reach and influence citywide.
Learn more about the work Michael is doing by connecting with him on Instagram @pond_dipper.
Read more Ranger Stories here.
Find out more about London National Park City and how you can get involved by visiting our About Us page
Together, we can make London greener, healthier, and wilder..
