John-Paul Patton is the Founder of Enriched Earth Ecovillage C.I.C. He has 25 years of experience as an environmental activist and educator. His main work being accomplished through his career as Head of Media Studies, an English Teacher and Environment Coordinator for 15 years in Lagan College, Belfast. Where he was instrumental in the school achieving Eco-Schools Ambassador Status through being the only secondary level school in Northern Ireland to have consistently won and held four Green Flag Awards. He was also awarded the prestigious EarthWatch Institute Environmental Education Teacher Award for his dedication in this field and has worked with many environmental stakeholders in NI over the years. He has also successfully completed two state-of-the-art Leadership training courses in recent years.
Recently John-Paul has engaged in four Ecovillage residential experiences at Findhorn, Solheimer, Lammas and Cloughjordan and is passionate to see Environmental Education for all ages in Ireland taken to the next level via this exciting initiative of Enriched Earth Educational Ecovillage.
The rest of the team
John-Paul is ably supported by many others who care about the future of the environment in Ireland and who passionately support this pioneering educational initiative. In brief here are some of our core team members:
Treasurer
Alessandro Crapanzano
Bsc Degree in Environmental Management and Technologies. Alessandro is a proud father and has worked as a Professional Stockbroker. He is experienced in eco-building and environmental design work and has his own agroecological small-holding. Alessandro and his family are founding members and highly dedicated Aspiring Residents of Enriched Earth Ecovillage.
Environmental Building and Architectural Consultant
Tom Woolley
Tom Woolley B.Arch, PhD is an architect and environmental researcher. Professor of Architecture at Queens University Belfast from 1991 to 2007. Currently freelance educator and environmental consultant for Rachel Bevan Architects. Was Visiting Professor of Architecture at the Centre for Alternative Technology Graduate School of the Environment in Wales and at the University of Central Lancashire, and also Professor of Sustainable Rural Architecture at the Countryside and Communities Research Institute, University of Gloucestershire. He has been chairman of the Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee and a member of the NI Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture. He is on the board of the Chartered Institute of Housing NI. Tom has been a strong advocate and guide to Enriched Earth Ecovillage from its inception and has consistently provided guidance and advice of the highest calibre.
Site Construction Consultant
Arthur O’Reilly
HNC in Building and Construction and recognised by the Institute of Clerk of Works. He was Contracts Director for Pilot Construction (1970-2000) and was recently Director for Wilson Developments (2000-2015). Arthur is an experienced Contracts Manager and Site Manager. Throughout his career he has worked on many construction projects ranging from new-build housing, hospitals and schools to the fit-out of office buildings. With strong technical and project management skills, Arthur is a real asset to the team and is very keen on seeing the success of this pioneering project in sustainable development.
Marketing and PR Consultant
Natalie Lough
Degree in Marketing from Dublin Institute of Technology. Currently Marketing Manager at MCCain Foods. Natalie is a highly sought and experienced expert in her field and has been instrumental in the branding process and provision of PR guidance for Enriched Earth Ecovillage from its inception.
Renewable Energy Consultant
Andrew McMurray
M.Sc. Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Loughborough University. (Distinction) BEng, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Queens University Belfast. (1st Class Hons). NRG Solutions Senior Project Engineer. Recognised industry expert with over eight years experience in renewable energy grid connections. Broad experience in project managing electrical connections and wind farm development. Helped raise over £3,000,000 in Community Cooperative Shares for 6 wind turbines. Andrew is also the chairperson for Co-Housing NI and has worked with Enriched Earth Ecovillage from its inception.
