Brian Tarnoff first came to the New Forest in 1991, and has lived in Ashurst since 1998. He has a keen interest in all its workings, particularly the management of its habitat, and protection of its heritage. He enjoys the Forest walking with springer spaniels and horseriding. He has been severally an IT Consultant / Project Manager, a Theatresports improviser, a film essayist, undergardener and poet. He is a mobile projectionist for the rural cinema charity Moviola.
He is a council member / trustee of the New Forest Association (since 2008); and chaired their Habitat and Landscape Committee for a decade. Through the NFA he has campaigned for: strengthened protection of Fungi on the New Forest SSSI, less development / better mitigation in Local Plans, and reduction of damaging recreational infrastructure on sensitive habitats. In March 2024 he was elected Chair of the New Forest Consultative Panel.