Since joining Greening Australia in 2005, James has undertaken a wide variety of roles which have involved working with teams across multiple states. He is a seasoned leader in nature-based solutions with decades of experience in large-scale ecological restoration. James has also been instrumental in developing high-integrity carbon projects that integrate biodiversity, Traditional Owner engagement, and social co-benefits.

At Greening Australia’s company Canopy, James spearheads the origination of projects under the Environmental Planting Method, focusing on delivering viable carbon solutions for investors and landholders. His expertise in land sector carbon sequestration methodologies and markets has been pivotal in implementing Greening Australia’s and Canopy’s land access and acquisition strategies across Australia.

James’s background in restoration ecology, particularly in temperate agricultural districts, underpins his commitment to projects that restore native ecosystems while providing economic opportunities for rural communities. His work has contributed to record-breaking carbon aggregations, such as the 2023 initiative that established over 2.26 million native plants across 1,228 hectares, demonstrating the scalability and impact of well-designed carbon farming projects.

Outside of work hours, James is also an active member of the Friends of Belair National Park and he can often be found wandering through Belair National Park taking photos of plants and animals, particularly of invertebrates.