Andy Graham
Senior Project Manager, Wetland Expert
Contact details
About me
I've been with WWT since 2010 after spending 13 years at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust working on water, wetlands and wetland wildlife. After spending time researching and management planning for and in a large wetland nature reserve in the Paraguayan Pantanal for Guyra Paraguay, I came to WWT and oversaw parts of our international wetland programme in Nepal and Cambodia.
Previously, I managed the SuDS for Schools project in North London which saw the creation of these wonderful urban rainscapes at each of ten schools. These systems were retro-fitted into the most challenging of urban spaces and through a process of community involvement are now home to lots of wetland wildlife.
I have an MSc Ecology and over 35 years experience in the nature conservation sector. Previously I've worked on water policy in particular the Water Framework Directive, I was a member of the UK Species Action Plan team for Shad (it's a rare fish, lives in the sea and spawns in the Severn!) and was one of a core team of surveyors for the England National Otter surveys over several years.
My role
I support WWT teams working on projects in Slough, London, Bristol and Bridgwater providing technical advice on creating SuDS, urban wetlands and rivers as well as working on policy.
Experience and interests
- 35 years experience in nature conservation in UK and internationally
- Urban wetlands are now my thing and as part of this I really enjoy working with communities to develop shared solutions that work for them as well as for wetland wildlife
Publications
I co-authored with RSPB "SuDS, maximising the potential for people and wildlife: guide for local authorities and developers". Whilst not a technical manual, it tries to bridge the gap in knowledge between professional practice and communities promoting a participatory approach to SuDS creation and conservation in general.