Our staff

Gemma Bodé specialises in ecology. With more than 18 years experience at Gwent Wildlife Trust, Gemma has developed many externally funded conservation projects around Gwent, most notably our Local Wildlife Sites work. She leads our Nature Recovery Team and Newport activities including the £2.8million Heritage Lottery Funding, Living Levels Landscape Partnership Scheme. Gemma is our Head of Nature Recovery.

Andy Karran is an ecologist. He is happiest exploring a species-rich grassland or poking about in rock-pools, preferably with camera in hand. His work involves managing the team who undertake wildlife surveys, evaluating results and providing advice to ensure our precious habitats are preserved. Andy is our Evidence Manager.

Lowri Watkins joined Gwent Wildlife Trust in March 2016 as an Ecological Surveys Trainee on the LEMUR+ training scheme. Lowri was appointed a member of staff later that year and tasked with researching and writing the Trust’s new Nature Reserves Guide. Based in the Evidence team, Lowri’s role sees her working across a range of projects, including managing the Water Vole Project, undertaking an audit of all GWT’s reserves and, most recently, coordinating our Reserves Monitoring Programme.

Kath has been passionate about nature and being outdoors for as long as she can remember. During her A-levels Kath volunteered with the GWT, surveying water voles and mink activity on the Gwent Levels. She then went to the University of Sheffield to study Ecology and Conservation Biology. During her degree, Kath took a year out to gain practical experience, securing a position with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust as a Trainee Project Manager on their Ice Age Ponds Project. Following graduation in 2022, Kath has been working to gain more practical conservation experience.

Joining the Trust in June 2023, Kath’s role will see her working with local communities to increase volunteer participation on and around the Trusts reserves. Having grown up in the Eastern Valleys, she is particularly enthusiastic about improving the accessibility of involvement in nature conservation activities with the GWT.

Joe has a degree in Environmental Pollution Science from the University of Glamorgan, having previously studied at Brooksby Agricultural College and Farnborough College of Technology. For the past 15 years he has been running Lower Gockett Farm in Monmouthshire, focusing on conservation management and improving wildlife habitats.   Joe has created a 25 acre hay meadow that has seen the return of many plant and invertebrate species and has become home to Skylarks and Brown Hares. He's kept his own herd of organic beef suckler cows and flock of sheep.  He's now using these skills and knowledge to help manage the grazed sites for the Usk to Wye reserves.   Joe lives locally and has walked through Pentwyn Farm many times and feels it's a real pleasure to be working for the Gwent Wildlife Trust on such a beautiful and wildlife rich site!

Ben joined Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) staff in April 2018. After graduating in a biological sciences degree from the University of Plymouth in 2015, he began volunteering with Gwent Wildlife trust working on a number of reserves across the Gwent Levels. Ben’s role involves managing a number of our reserves , organising and leading practical volunteer group work parties with other members of the Nature Recovery team.

Natalie joined the staff team in December 2018. Before that she worked for 10 years at Newport City Council as their Biodiversity and Education Officer, having graduated in Environmental Biology in 2006. Natalie leads the Nature Based Solutions team, ensuring that they have the funding, resources and energy to deliver their work in this area, looking after nature so that it will help look after us. Natalie also champions education and community engagement across Gwent and is a Level 4 Forest School Trainer and Cambium Sustainable Associate Trainer, delivering accredited training in outdoor learning and forest school.

Ian has a wealth of experience in working with under-represented groups.  A lot of this engagement has been in the outdoors.  Previous work undertaken has been with Youth Offending Service, Funky Dragon and Come Outside!  Ian is passionate about the environment and wildlife, has 3 kids, 3 grand kids and 2 sheep dogs.  In his spare time he likes to walk, read and play the blues.

Rose joined the team in April 2022. Originally from Monmouth, she spent many years helping on the home dairy farm before studying Law with Business in North Wales followed by an MSc in Sustainable Rural Development in Northern Ireland. Through volunteering and work roles, Rose gained a passion for the natural environment and sought to understand how farming practices and environmentalists could work to protect wildlife.

Prior to 2022, Rose worked as an Environmental Education and Care Farming Officer on the Dorset/Somerset borders, engaging groups of all ages and sizes to understand where their food comes from and to step into nature. As a Level 3 Forest School leader, Rose delivered forest school projects to many primary and secondary pupils in order to develop their confidence and social skills, and upskilled teachers to  better utilise the outdoors in their activities. In her current role, she will be sharing her knowledge and passion of the outdoor environment to enable adults from all walks of life to improve their physical and mental wellbeing in the fresh Welsh air.

Rob graduated as an ecologist in 2011 and soon worked for the RSPB on the ‘Red Kites of Ceredigion’ project in Mid Wales as well as BBC Springwatch at Ynys-hir Nature Reserve in 2013. He then worked at Newport Wetlands from 2013 to 2017. Since working at Gwent Wildlife Trust, Rob has been our Fundraising Officer and ‘My Wild Newport’ Project Manager. His current role is Senior Youth Engagement Officer for the Stand for Nature Wales project, engaging with 9 to 24 year olds that are concerned about climate change and wildlife decline. He is also our Welsh Language Champion.

In 1989 I embarked on a career change from radiography to teaching and worked in the primary sector for 17 years. I have an MA in education and a Post Graduate certificate in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. I am also a qualified Forest School Leader. During my teaching career I developed the school’s wildlife garden and pond, which are still used and loved today. I joined Gwent Wildlife Trust as an Education Officer in 2014.  It was during my time as a GWT volunteer that I set up the wildlife quiz for primary schools and it has grown steadily since.  I work with many schools, with university students and families and have established a group known as Elderflowers; those over 50 who love nature and being outdoors. I enjoy the variety of work and continually learning.

After spending around 15 years in Youth Work, Kevin decided to go back to university as a mature student, completing a degree in Natural History.  He is currently undertaking a masters degree in Wildlife and Conservation Management. Kevin has always had a passion for nature and wildlife, with a particular interest in restoration ecology and wildlife photography, however, he is happy as long as he is outside. At the end of The British project, Kevin stayed at Gwent Wildlife Trust as the Senior Community Organiser (Maternity Cover).

Nathalie joined Gwent Wildlife Trust in August 2023. She studied Environmental Sciences as a mature student at Cardiff University, a career change from Business Administration. Her focus lies on aquatic systems, with a particular interest in freshwater ecology and hydrology. She is experienced in managing and coordinating citizen science projects, particularly through her recent involvement with a local community group monitoring water quality in the River Usk catchment. In her role at GWT she is excited to share her passion for rivers and aquatic wildlife. Her work involves identifying opportunities for river restoration and natural flood management in Gwent by working with partners, local communities, and citizen scientists.

Debbie is responsible for our fundraising, communications, membership programme and campaigns. She believes everyone can be a positive force for wildlife and play their part in nature's recovery and enjoys working with people across teams to develop opportunities for people to do so and inspire more action for the awesome wildlife of Wales. After an early career in the computer games industry, Debbie travelled and worked for many years in diverse locations around the world before returning to the UK to work for an international NGO. She joined Gwent Wildlife Trust in 2015. initially to develop our work with businesses. 

I'm responsible for the administration relating to memberships and I assist the Fundraising and Communications Team. I also volunteer at a community shop and café in Brockweir, close to where I used to live. My husband and I have moved to Abertillery and enjoy walking in the mountains and valleys with our lurchers. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help the Trust make a difference for the varied wildlife in Gwent, a county I’m proud to live in.

Hamish joined the trust in August 2021. He has a degree in Graphic Design, plus a mix of Marketing, Digital and Design experience behind him. He is here to use his digital skills and knowledge to promote the trust and attract new members. Having worked all over the UK and abroad he has returned to the wonderful area that he grew up in; he couldn’t be happier to be surrounded by and working with Gwent’s beautiful nature and scenery.

Sarah joined Gwent Wildlife Trust in November 2020.  She started her HR career in the private sector after graduating but has since worked in the third sector.  She is a CIPD Associate and champions great working environments and cultures that enable great work and working lives.  She is passionate about volunteering and has been a local volunteer for over 16 years in various local groups including; managing a busy toddler group, school’s chess clubs, project managing a foodbank and youth work.  Sarah is pleased to be working for an organisation in her local area and is looking forward to working with the volunteers across all locations of Gwent.