Our Speakers

Working across environmental policy and landscape-scale nature restoration, Jess leads WWF Cymru's Pembrokeshire Wholescape programme — bringing together farmers, communities, and partners to restore the Cleddau catchment, develop regenerative ocean farming, and embed nature in local decision-making. In her varied role, she develops financing frameworks, builds stakeholder partnerships, and translates complex systems thinking into practical action on the ground. Through this work, Jess draws on over two decades of Welsh environmental policy experience to champion place-based approaches to climate and nature recovery. In her spare time she is a member of Save the Teifi – helping to mobilise community activism to improve her local river and bathing water quality.

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Dr Sarah Beynon is founder of The Bug Farm and the Nature Recovery Trust. Winner of the 2022 Plantlife International Meadow Maker of the Year for Wales, the Royal Agricultural Society Research Medal and a finalist for the Welsh Government's St David's Awards Environment Hero, Dr Sarah Beynon has a wealth of knowledge in both the science and the practicalities of farming and nature recovery. Sarah's research into ecosystem services delivered by dung beetles is internationally renowned. She is a well-respected scientist, speaker and television presenter, is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and was named as an 'Emerging Legend' in Wales' 'Year of Legends'.

Sarah will talk about her new Nature Networks Fund project that is mapping contaminants, such as pet spot-ons and livestock wormers, in water bodies across the St Davids peninsula and looking at the impacts on aquatic life. The project is also working with vets to develop and trial sustainable parasite management plans for farmers and pet owners as a way to reduce contamination and is looking for dog owners interested in participating in a citizen science element.

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Working across community engagement and river restoration, Emma works with the West Wales Rivers Trust to support volunteers and help restore Pembrokeshire’s rivers. In her varied role, she organises engagement events, leads volunteer days, conducts river surveys, and contributes to research and project development. Through this work, Emma brings a broad perspective on how communities can help monitor, protect and enhance our rivers for the future.

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Martin is the Chair of NFU Cymru’s Water Quality Review Group and currently County Chairman for NFU Cymru in Ceredigion.

Previously he has served as chairman of the Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies and currently represents Wales on the Council of the British Grassland Society.

He farms in partnership with his Mother, Brother and Nephew at Ffosygravel Uchaf, north of Aberystwyth. This is a third-generation dairy farm supplying milk to South Caernarfon Creameries on the Llyn peninsula.

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Dan has 20 years of experience working in the water industry working in operational roles involved around pollution management, partnership working and river and bathing water quality. He sits on various nutrient management boards and catchment partnerships providing technical advice.

A key part of the role is identifying opportunities to co-deliver with partners benefits to the river and environment. In addition, engaging with interested parties, informing openly about Dwr Cymru’s asset performance and advising on upcoming investment plans.

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