LOCAL WILDLIFE HEROES

Vital Statistics

Name: Mike Webb

Lives in: Cardiff

Job: GWT

Conservation Officer

Interesting fact: One of my relatives is featured on a British banknote - Elizabeth Fry, the prison reformer.

Tell us about yourself in 30 words. After a degree in plant biology and environmental biology, my first post was as a Coed Cymru officer, giving advice to the farming community on managing farm woodlands. I moved sideways into planning when I came to the realisation of how important an understanding of the Welsh planning system is to protecting nature.

What’s your favourite local place for nature?

My favourite local place for nature, which I return to time after time, is our Springdale nature reserve. Whether it’s the stunning display of spring woodland flora, or the vibrant high summer wildflower meadows, I’m totally hooked!

Tell us about a memorable wildlife experience you have had locally/in the UK.

In terms of pure visual and aural impact, the Cemlyn tern colony on the north coast of Ynys Mon, managed by our sister trust the North Wales Wildlife Trust, takes some beating!

Why should people care about the climate crisis and nature emergency?

We have a moral and practical duty to care about our natural world, because we have failed to value the beauty, complexity and fragility of natural systems. Nature has an absolute right in and of itself to exist. We have only scratched the surface in our understanding of natural systems, and we are destroying species and habitats that we haven’t even been properly introduced to yet!

Who has inspired you:

I’ve been very privileged over the years to have worked with many truly inspirational people. My first and most obvious choice is Lee Waters, deputy Climate Change Minister of the Senedd, whose recent work resulted in the removal of several damaging road projects from the Welsh Government’s road building programme, including the infamous Red Route in Flintshire, which would have ploughed through ancient woodland and wildflower meadows. It is difficult to overstate the importance of Mr Waters’ work, which has, in a couple of short years, turned decades of damaging transport policy on its head.

Closer to home I would namecheck our former Wildlife Trusts Wales colleague, James Byrne. I can truthfully say, with my hand on my heart, that the M4 Relief Road would have been built without James’ phenomenal team building and networking skills.

My work is centred on the marvellous landscape of the Gwent Levels, so I must also pay tribute to the inspirational Levels communities who have fought so long and hard to save our precious Levels. Ann Picton and Cath Davis of Friends of the Gwent Levels (FOGL) are two names (amongst many) who spring to mind. Ann sat through every single day of the months of the M4 Relief Road public inquiry, and Cath is a human whirlwind of energy, who has worked tirelessly for the Levels over many years.

Name one thing everyone should do to make a difference for the sake of nature and our planet?

I’m going to cheat, and name two things!

Firstly, if you are not already a member, please join GWT and please consider volunteering for us! Every single membership helps to give us the resources to fight the David and Goliath planning battles which we have to engage in. Our marvellous members and volunteers are our lifeblood, upon whom we rely completely.

Secondly, please be nature’s eyes and ears in your home area. In your walks, look out for warning signs that things may not be going well for nature, such as evidence of water pollution, notices for potentially damaging planning applications and so on.