Gail Davies-Walsh Head of Natural Capital Expand Gail joined the Foundation in 2020, to head up and develop the new Natural Capital department. She has over twenty years’ experience working with water companies, environmental consultancies and had most recently worked for the Rivers Trust. A graduate in Environmental Engineering and Water Resources Management, she has extensive experience across environmental assessment and management, water resources and wastewater. From one of her very first roles in designing the environmental mitigation measures for the Cardiff Bay Barrage development to developing pioneering abstraction licences linked to environmental need on the rivers Wye and Usk, Gail has always been passionate about making a difference to the environment and delivering a change.
Ellie Lewis Natural Capital Project Manager Expand Ellie joined the Foundation in 2018 having always had a keen interest in freshwater conservation. Previously, she gained a BSc Biology degree from Cardiff University and an MSc in Wildlife and Conservation Management from the University of South Wales. Originally on the Monitoring team, Ellie is now a Natural Capital Project Manager for WUF, working in areas such as tree planting, nutrient management and biodiversity enhancement.
James Hawkins Natural Capital Officer Expand James is a Marine Biology graduate of Exeter University. Previously he has worked for the Animal and Plant Health Agency, where he was involved in the prevention of introduction of pests and diseases in the UK through the inspection of plants coming into the country. He has been involved in sustainability work, establishing an education and outreach project in Cornwall, delivering sessions in schools to a range of age groups about wildlife conservation and looking after our environment. James has joined the Foundation as a Natural Capital Officer, where he is excited to get involved in the sustainable future of the Wye and Usk River catchments and communicate with a wider audience through the language of natural capital.
Dreda Darling Natural Capital Officer Expand Dreda joined the foundation in 2020 having gained a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Exeter. She grew up on a mixed farm on the banks of the Wye and has spent the last few years working as a freelance cook. As such she is passionate about all things food, farming and conservation. Initially working as part of the Monitoring team, Dreda now divides her time between Natural Capital and Farm teams, working on projects to identify and deliver natural capital opportunities within the Wye and Usk catchments.
Chloe Young Natural Capital Officer Expand Chloe is a Geology and Physical Geography graduate from the University of Edinburgh, with a Masters in Paleobiology from the University of Bristol. Previously Chloe has published work on dinosaur fossils in Scotland and the impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems. Chloe has also been involved in outreach projects, including developing teaching materials for the Scottish curriculum and delivered classes to schools about biodiversity and interdependence. Chloe joined the Foundation in April 2022 as a Natural Capital Officer, she is involved in areas such as wetland feasibility and design, and opportunity mapping to identify potential for natural capital and specifically Natural Flood Management (NFM) within the Wye and Usk catchments.
Katie Parkinson Natural Capital Officer Expand Katie is a Countryside Management graduate of Aberystwyth University. She grew up on a farm in Lancashire and is currently studying a MRes in Agroecology from Harper Adams University. Having formerly volunteered as a ranger, she is interested in conservation, wildlife and woodlands. She has previously worked in the agri-tech sector with a focus on sustainable agriculture and is passionate about food and regenerative farming. Katie joined the Foundation in April 2022 as a Natural Capital Officer where she has become actively involved in projects to deliver natural capital opportunities within the Wye and Usk catchments.