Meet The Staff at The Welsh Dee Trust
Peter Powell – CEO
Peter grew up on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Welshpool on the banks of the River Severn and this is where he developed a passion for the natural world.
Peter completed a bachelor’s degree in Ecology at Cardiff University and a master’s degree in Advanced Wildlife Conservation at the University of the West of England. Peter joined the Welsh Dee Trust in August 2019 having previously worked at the Severn Rivers Trust and Wye and Usk Foundation.
Chris Meredith – Restoring river habitat programme manager
Chris grew up within the Dee catchment and joined the Welsh Dee Trust having already carried out a lot of work on the English catchment.
Having completed a Biology degree at Cardiff University, Chris went on to study for a Masters of Research in Ecology at Bangor University, before starting a career in wildlife conservation. He spent time working in Africa before moving back to the UK where, as his career progressed, he spent more time working on rivers, whether habitat creation, pollution prevention or invasive species control.
Chris joined the Welsh Dee Trust in July 2021 from Cheshire Wildlife Trust and brings with him a wealth of experience in practical conservation across a wide range of habitats.
Maddy Fowler – It shouldn’t be in the Dee programme manager
Originally from Australia, Maddy moved to the UK in 2018, during her career as a maritime archaeologist. Maddy completed a PhD in archaeology at Flinders University, South Australia, in 2015 and has worked in consultancy, museums and academia.
Maddy joined the Welsh Dee Trust in January 2022 as a project officer, having previously led volunteers in archaeology as well as when working with the Department of Conservation (New Zealand) and the Canal & River Trust (UK). She brings with her a wealth of experience in community engagement and education.
Gareth Jones – Project officer
Gareth Jones is a project officer for our Restoring River Habitat programme. Following years of working as a Biology teacher, he changed career and followed his passion for nature and wildlife conservation. Starting with volunteering with various wildlife organisations he moved on to working as a countryside contractor involved in habitat management projects, drystone walling and footpath maintenance.
His interest in rivers and its wildlife started at a young age, growing up fishing along the River Alun in Mold. He enjoys various aspects of wildlife including birdwatching, fishing, studying moths and plants. Gareth lives right beside the river Llynor in Llandrillo with his wife and two daughters.
Gareth has a wealth of experience in hands on experience and will be working to identify and restore areas of river habitat across the Dee to help wildlife and local people.
Sara Mault – Project officer
Sara Mault is the project officer for our Water Wise Farming programme.
Sara grew up on a beef and sheep farm just outside of Corwen. The farm has a contributor river to the dee running through the middle of the farm which has sparked an interest to maintain water quality and river health in the area.
Sara has studied Agriculture at Harper Adams University graduating in 2018.
Dylan Roberts – Project officer
Dylan was born and bred in the Corwen area as a first language Welsh speaker. After over three decades of working in the meat trade, Dylan had a change of career and joined Welsh Dee Trust as a project officer on the Restoring River Habitat programme in January 2023.
As a keen fly fisherman from a young age, Vice Chairman of Corwen and District Angling Club, and one of the organisers of the Hanak International Grayling Festival, the River Dee and its fish are very close to his heart.
