Chris works as a self-employed freelancer, and advises government ministers, local councils and water, construction and housing companies, on environmental practice.

Gardening and conservation
Chris built the first wildlife garden ever allowed at Chelsea Flower Show in 1985. In the same year his TV programme Bluetits and Bumblebees, and his book, How to Make a Wildlife Garden, inspired millions of people to begin gardening with wildlife. His other books include four story books for young children - The Old Boot, The Picnic, The Flower and The Nest. The Wild Side of Town, which accompanied a five-part TV series of the same name, won the UK Conservation Book Prize in 1987. In the same year Chris recorded an album with the folk-rock Albion Band and then toured the UK, raising money for the British Wildlife Appeal.

Through most of the late '80s and early '90s Chris focused on TV broadcasting, and presented The Big E, Countryfile, Saturday Starship, Pebblemill at One and several other networked series. His investigative environmental series for children, The Ark, won the International Wildscreen Award in 1987. In 2000, he presented Charlie's Wildlife Gardens with Charlie Dimmock.

Championing trees
Chris is one of the UK's leading environmental campaigners, and has particularly championed the cause of trees. He lead the fight to prevent Cable TV and other utility companies chopping through the roots of urban street trees, has promoted the concept of urban forestry in the UK, and been principal adviser to Trees of Time and Place. This millenium campaign encouraged as many people as possible to gather seeds from a favourite tree, grow a seedling and plant it for the future. Trees of Time and Place is supported by over 100 national organisations, and has inspired many tens of thousands of individuals and over 2,000 schools to grow their own trees from local seeds.

Urban wildlife
Chris is committed to urban wildlife and wildlife gardening. He works from home in Wolverhampton, is president of the Urban Wildlife Partnership and vice-president of The Wildlife Trusts. In 1998 he was appointed by the Prime Minister as a trustee of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Chris writes frequently in BBC Gardeners' World, BBC Wildlife and Country Living magazines.

Television 1981 and 1999 BBC Gardeners' World 1988 Your Country Needs You 1993-1996 Grass Roots 1985 Bluetits and Bumblebees 1985 1988 The Big E 1989-1992 Countryfile 1986 Saturday Starship 1981-1984 Pebblemill at One 1987 The Ark 1987 The Wild Side of Town 1998 Millennium Meadows (Under the Axe) 2000 Charlie's Wildlife Gardens

Publications 1992 New Pollution Handbook 1992 Guide to Habitat Creation 1992 Wildlife Garden Handbook 2000 How to Make a Wildlife Garden (new edition) 2000 The Old Boot (reprint) 2000 The Picnic (reprint) 2000 The Flower (reprint) 2000 The Nest (reprint) 2000 The Wild Side of Town