Lee Oliver joins the growing GWCT Wales team as project manager. He immediately starts with the Elwy Valley Sustainable Management Scheme (SMS) project - a landscape scale initiative involving 70 landowners and managers - covering an area of 23,500 hectares in Denbighshire and part of Conwy.
Born and bred in Llanbedrog on the Llyn Peninsula in North West Wales, Gwynedd, Lee, who spent the last two years with the Deer Initiative, will project manage the SMS over the next three years and is delighted to join the GWCT Wales where science is at the heart of its work.
The project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 – Sustainable Management Scheme (SMS) which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
“I have huge respect for GWCT and the science they employ which is practical on the ground advice that focuses on achieving biodiversity gains. I’m excited about this project as it aims to increase habitat connectivity in the area and will use the pioneering technology, namely Multiple Aerial Imaging technology, to capture an enormous amount of information and will involve lots of people from the local community.”
GWCT Wales director Sue Evans believes that Lee’s appointment will further demonstrate the value of the Trusts work in Wales presenting solutions which can be applied on the ground by farmers and gamekeepers to produce a thriving countryside.
“We are delighted that the Elwy Valley SMS project now has the green light to start. This will add to and build on other SMS projects that GWCT are involved with which are all farmer-led, collaborative & landscape scale.”
Having worked with Keep Wales Tidy for 17 years, Lee is passionate about the countryside, particularly game and its management where he gained a lot of experience with working on game farms in South Africa. Deer stalking, fishing and hunting are all in his genes and he sees huge growth potential for venison and its use, particularly in Wales.
Lee has three children, Enlli, Llanw and Alun with his partner Alaw. He has played rugby for Pwllheli for 20 years and tries to spend time when he can surfing on the local beaches.
For more information on this press release please call Lee on loliver@gwct.org.uk
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk