Jan Sherry – Senior Manager (Ecology)

Jan leads on biodiversity and habitat Advice within PONT. Jan also has HR, project and contract management responsibilities and is the Project Manager for the ‘Dolau Dyfi’ Sustainable Management Scheme Project (SMS).

Previously Jan worked for the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and later Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for 15 years as the Heathland Ecologist and latterly covering broader upland habitats. After leaving NRW she took up her PONT role and also established herself as an independent consultant.

Jan is a recognised expert in heathland management and the uplands in Wales and in that capacity leads on a range of PONT activity. Examples include the production of a cotoneaster management handbook for NRW, survey and advisory work for the Elan Links Project in mid Wales and supporting a range of other organisations to develop and implement their projects. Jan has been involved in the development of the National Trust Payment for Outcomes Scheme on the Llyn Peninsular through providing technical and practical advice and supporting the farmers involved.

Julia Korn – Senior Manager (Business)

Julia leads on financial Management, fundraising and events. She also has HR, project management and contract management responsibilities.

Before joining PONT Julia had worked for CCW and later NRW since 2001. She supported the establishment and delivery of Local Biodiversity Action Plan Partnerships in Wales, and the evolution of the Wales Biodiversity Partnership. In 2010 she became CCW Senior Biodiversity Policy Officer. Within CCW/NRW Julia also established and managed the Resilient Ecosystem fund from 2011 until 2015.

Julia uses her knowledge and experience of partnership working and her extensive networks to organise and run events such as the PONT conferences in 2017 and 2018 and the Cotoneaster Management workshop in 2019. Julia also leads on promoting PONT’s work and takes a proactive role in seeking new collaborations and opportunities to influence and support a range of organisations and projects across Wales. This includes working with organisations such as the Pasture Fed Livestock Association, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife, various local authorities and NRW.

Emma Douglas – South Wales Regional Development Officer – PONT

Emma is the South Wales Regional Development Officer. Emma facilitates grazing and associated management across South Wales to benefit farmers, communities and nature. Emma is highly knowledgeable and skilled member of staff who uses her extensive experience and networks to seek opportunities, and actively support nature friendly grazing practices. Emma works with a range of private individuals, groups, organisations, projects and businesses and is skilled in bringing people together, resolving issues and seeking solutions. Emma supports relevant education and training programmes such as the South and West Wales Fire Service Don’t Burn Bernie campaign.

Emma has successfully developed innovative ways to address issues that can prevent grazing. Examples include trialling the use of GPS collars on cattle to help with stock checking in remote areas, and supporting the installation of invisible fencing to keep cattle grazing common land away from the road. Emma is currently involved with managing meadows on the Gower through supporting the Gower Meadows Group, and she is a Renew Wales Peer Mentor.

Emma grew up on the Gower Peninsula and continues to assist with the running of a small herd of Welsh Black cattle and horses at the family farm. Emma undertakes conservation grazing with her own Dexter cattle and ponies and she runs her successful small business ‘Gower Meadows Beef’. She previously worked for the Bat Conservation Trust on their Tir Gofal Agri Environment monitoring project before joining PONT in 2012. Emma was the Project Officer for the BIFFA Award Funded Project on Coity Wallia Commons, Bridgend, South Wales.

Beth Davies – Conservation Grazing Officer

A fluent Welsh speaker, Beth is a recent graduate in Environmental Conservation Management having previously studied agriculture.  Brought up on a mixed livestock, upland farm in South Wales, she has spent the last eleven years working alongside her parents to have a solid understanding of agricultural practices, animal husbandry, and land management skills.  

Over the past three years, she has worked with a range of non-government organisations and an ecological consultancy firm, where she has received invaluable practical experience in conservation, environmental management, and ecology.

This has given insight into how various organisations establish projects in conjunction with one another whilst building strong networks.  

Beth is looking forward to working with partners and promoting the work of PONT.