For several years now the
Radnorshire Wildlife Trust has offered consultancy services
to organisations and individuals needing professional advice
on conservation issues. Now, thanks to European Objective
2 funding through the Spirit programme, it plans a big expansion
of this work.
The funding has enabled the Trust to
appoint a Consultancy Development Manager. What is more,
they have found the ideal person for the job in Chris Ledbury.
Chris was a senior manager with the Brecon Beacons National
Park Authority before opting for early retirement. His
many responsibilities included conservation, access, wardening
and education. He was also responsible for the Authority’s
land holdings and management agreements. He can therefore
fairly be said to know a thing or two about nature conservation.
Landowners, local authorities, private
companies and other organisations now have to cope with
a growing body of regulation designed to protect the environment.
As a result there is an increasing demand for consultancy
services of the kind offered by the Wildlife Trust.
All the profits from the Trust’s
consultancy work will go to help fund its work for wildlife
in Radnorshire, both on its nature reserves and more widely
in the county.
Chris said, ‘We offer a service
that is both expert and cost-effective. We use our own
professional staff and also collaborate with specialists
in neighbouring Wildlife Trusts and with other professional
ecologists.’
Examples of the kind of work that the
Trust can undertake include surveys of habitats and species,
assessing the impact of building development and advice
on habitat management. Recent commissions have ranged from
a botanical survey of a drystone wall in Gladestry for
Powys County Council to a biological evaluation of Powis
Castle and Gardens for the National Trust.
The Trust’s chairman, Penny
Hurt said, "This is an exciting time for the Trust.
Chris’s appointment gives us a real opportunity
to build up the Trust’s consultancy income. It
means we will be able to do more to protect wildlife
in Radnorshire."
For more information see our
consultancy page.
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