Antony 'Aj' Bellamy Regional Wetlands Adviser Expand Aj graduated from Plymouth University in 1996 and has worked mostly in Devon in the conservation land management and ecology sector; briefly for Devon Wildlife Trust, then RSPB for 15years based at the Exe Estuary Reserves. Within his role at FWAG SW, Aj is working with landowners within the somerset coastal levels to restore and recreate farm ponds and assisting in larger-scale wetland creation works within the Pawlett hams.
George Clifton Great Crested Newt Pond Project Officer Expand George joined FWAG SW in 2021 as the Great Crested New Pond Project Officer, he works across Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire. He provides advice to landowners and farmers on how to qualify for the project both through pond creation and restoration to increase the amount of habitat suitable for Great Crested Newts. He coordinates and plans the construction/restoration of ponds and follows up with eDNA sampling to review the success of the pond. George studied a Masters in Biology at Leiden University in the Netherlands, focussing on Biodiversity and Sustainability. Before this he obtained a BSc Environmental Science at the University of the West of England. George has carried out research on a range of species including investigating hybridisation of Marbled Newts in Portugal.
Iain Turner Regional Woodland Adviser Expand Iain joined FWAG SW in Feb 2021 as a Regional Woodland Adviser covering the South West of England. He provides advice and practical solutions on all aspects of forestry and woodland types, from woodland creation, management planning, through to implementation. Iain has over 15 years’ experience as an Agent since completing an HND in Forestry at Plumpton College in 2005. He has a keen interest in sustainable Forestry practices, multiple-use of woodlands and exploring solutions for building resilience into woodland design and management.
Karina Ponton Assistant Regional Woodland Adviser Expand Karina joined FWAG SW in April 2022 as an Assistant Regional Woodland Adviser. She supports Iain Turner and Thomas Mansfield with the full range of woodland advice services FWAG SW are delivering across the region. Having undertaken a BSc in Environmental Science at the University of Southampton, a year-long practical permaculture course at Shift Bristol and an MSc in Environmental Forestry, she is focusing on practical and agroecological solutions to the climate and ecological crises. Her most recently completed project saw her working with the Permaculture Association to undertake a ten-year review of UK temperate mutlistrata agroforestry systems. Karina is also self-employed, and has worked for various organisations including the Land Workers Alliance, The Rewild Project CIC and on a female/non-binary coppice team.