Gray silhouette of a flying bird above the words "Harmony water solutions" on a black background.

Black and white portrait of a smiling man with short, dark hair and a collared shirt, facing the camera against a plain background.

Tom Shopland

Water Resilience Advisor | Designer | Facilitator | MA Ecological Design Thinking

Based in the Surrey Hills, Tom works at the intersection of farming and water management, delivering nature positive ways to slow, spread, sink, and clean water in response to flooding, drought, and pollution. Tom bridges the gap between hydrology, ecological design, funding guidance, community-led solutions and ‘boots on the ground’ delivery.

Tom’s experience spans roles with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group in Somerset (FWAG SW), the South East Rivers Trust, and LDA Design. He holds an MA in Ecological Design Thinking from Schumacher College and qualified as a rural facilitator at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester.

Tom’s approach is rooted in holistic observation, active listening and facilitating meaningful dialogue. Once an outdoor instructor and now a Trustee at Sayers Croft Outdoor Learning Centre, he weaves environmental education through his work, hoping more people will discover the mystical depths of a good puddle.

Support for Farmers and Landowners

Farm water assessments
Funding guidance to connect with wider river catchment resilience projects
Rainwater harvesting, water self-sufficiency & cost reductions, ponds, wetlands and waterway enhancements
Practical support from design to delivery

Support for Communities, Councils & Organisations

Natural flood management
Landowner engagement, scoping, prioritizing and costing exercises
Facilitation of design workshops, education & training
Technical support from design to delivery of nature based solutions

Portfolio

Heal Rewilding: Waterway Restoration

Knole Pit: Market Garden Water Storage

Somerset Rivers Authority: Community Flood Groups

Plum Village UK: Design Advice

Flete Field Lab: Mycofiltration Trials

Holisitic Water for Horticulture

How to work with Harmony

I bridge the gap between environmental design and boots on the ground delivery. Every landscape and situation is unique but a design process usually follows these stages:

Introductory Call: A chat to discuss your situation, challenges, observations and long term aims. Contact me on 07885489062 or tom.shopland44@gmail.com.
Site Visit & Assessment: I visit to walk the land with you. We look at the movement of water in the land, explore issues and potential locations for nature based solutions.
Routes Forward: I provide a summary of recommended designs and potential funding routes.
Support to Delivery: I help with proposal development, get detailed designs costed and support delivery contractors.

Tom came to us, interested in our project, and was instantly taken by the potential we had for significant wetland restoration. His enthusiasm and bright smile along with his technical knowledge was a killer combo and we quickly developed a relationship which allowed us to access funding to complete the works we were proposing. Working with Tom was very easy; he listened to our needs and requests and worked efficiently to get our project over the line, even making sure things were tied over for us before he left his role to pursue another job. We need more Toms in the world!

- Dan Hill, Heal Rewilding
I've known Tom for several years as part of an international ecological design group concerned with river issues. Tom is an inspiring, innovative and brave champion of more eco-centric forms of river catchment management. If you require a deep knowledge of nature based solutions applied with an infectious enthusiasm and energy and a thoughtful, invitational style of facilitation and leadership - Tom is your man.

—Josh Levene, Founder of UK Rights of Nature Network