Julian is a well-respected ecologist with 30 years’ experience working for statutory agencies, local authorities and environmental NGOs and is able to enthuse a wide range of people and organisations about the intrinsic value of nature as well as the economic value of protecting and restoring places for wildlife and the recovery of species.

Being a patient and very good listener and skilled communicator, Julian can assimilate differing views to provide nature-based solutions based on the best available ecological evidence.  Combining practical skills alongside ecological surveillance and monitoring and extensive knowledge of British natural history, has allowed him to develop and comment upon strategic conservation plans with confidence.

Julian has published a wide range of articles on natural history within Powys, Wales and UK publications, including a technical chapter for the UK Wetland Restoration Handbook. He has appeared on several television and radio broadcasts including BBC Autumnwatch and on the BBC Radio 4 Nature series.

He is an experienced botanist and specialist for some invertebrate groups – having been the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme Transect Co-ordinator for Powys and the Brecon Beacons National Park.  He also led on the management and monitoring of the last known colony of Pearl-bordered Fritillary in Radnorshire.

OTHER INFORMATION

During the past 30 years as a professional ecologist working for the Wildlife Trust as well as a statutory agency and a local authority, Julian has worked on local, national and international projects.  As Director of a county Wildlife Trust within Wales, his focus has been to enhance biodiversity and stand up for wildlife by working with a range of stakeholders with many and varied views.

Julian devised guidelines and criteria for the selection of Local Wildlife Sites in Powys and Worcestershire and his work was used in formulating the Wales-wide Local Wildlife Site guidelines. 

At an all-Wales level Julian chaired the Conservation Officers Wales group of the Wildlife Trust and Wildlife Trust Wales Forum.  He has also served as a member of the UK Wildlife Trusts Strategic Development and Research Committee as well as the Membership Admissions Committee for the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

Julian has extensive experience on writing nature reserve management plans, nature recovery plan strategies and site management plans, covering a wide range of habitats including woodland, grassland, heathland, upland mosaic and freshwater habitats.  Julian has carried out protected species work under licence for Great-crested Newt, Water Vole, Fairy Shrimp and currently holds protected species licences for White-clawed Crayfish and the Hazel Dormouse.  His international work focussed on conservation measures to save the European Eel – listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and culminated in large scale re-introductions of the eel to parts of Wales.