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.
Izzy Love Senior Natural Capital Officer Expand Izzy joined the Foundation in April 2021 after graduating with a BSc in Physical Geography and MSc in Geographic Information and Climate Change. Following a year of working in the Foundation, Izzy worked within the water industry, before returning to the Wye & Usk Foundation in September 2022 as a Senior Natural Capital Officer. She has experience in working on a range of environmental projects from co-ordination to delivery, including the planning and development of constructed wetlands, HRA monitoring and riverine habitat improvement schemes. She is also involved in other project areas including natural flood management, biodiversity enhancement and spatial data mapping, with experience in conducting river habitat surveys, biodiversity net gain assessments, and the use of several natural capital metrics. Her role at the Foundation involves identifying and developing opportunities to implement catchment interventions and nature-based solutions within the Wye and Usk catchments to target key environmental issues, including pollution and flooding, to benefit both people and nature.
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.
Lee Evans Head of Natural Capital Expand Lee has managed and delivered environmental sustainability projects for over 20 years. Previously a manager at Carbon Trust and director of a UK-leading decentralised energy consultancy, he has a track record of overseeing consultancy portfolios (up to £2M pa), managing projects, leading teams, writing reports and presenting findings. He has overseen the delivery of high-profile studies for hundreds of public and private sector clients including local authorities, Central Government departments, Welsh Government, higher education, housing associations, housing developers and multinational businesses.