Solange Ponce

About me

I found the world of environmental conservation through a fascination and love for animals which led me to study a Zoology BSc whereafter I decided to dedicate myself to help prevent the decline in biodiversity and protect our precious natural ecosystems. I completed a Master of Research in Biodiversity and Conservation and have since held various posts both in the UK and Latin America working for NGOs, ecological consultancies, local authorities and Natural England. Some of my favourite job roles have included: conducting field research; completing condition assessments for SSSI designated areas; volunteer management; community engagement; citizen science projects; development and delivery of agricultural-environmental agreements; large scale moorland habitat restoration and multi-partner project management. Most recently, whilst at Natural England I was part of the team delivering a Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Project (FCRIP) in North Yorkshire focusing on Natural Flood Management (NFM) interventions alongside the Rivers Trust and other partners.

My role

I will be working to deliver two DEFRA Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme (FCRIP) Projects, Slough Sponge and Community Bluescapes. Community Bluescapes is a partnership project between Richmond Borough Council, WWT and Barnes Common Land Trust with an aim to utilise nature-based solutions within the Beverley Brook Catchment to reduce run-off and slow the flow. Slough Sponge is a partnership project between Slough Borough Council, WWT and The National Flood Forum with an aim to also implement nature-based solutions within the Salt Hill Stream and Chalvey Ditches Catchments. For both projects, this will involve retrofitting SuDS and implementing NFM in high flood risk areas.

The projects have a large emphasis on community co-production through the creation of future-proof neighbourhoods. This will provide an opportunity for communities to collaborate and participate in co-design and co-delivery of interventions to meet the challenges of flood and climate risk in their local area. When people in the community get involved this can help to foster a feeling of pride for their local nature spaces which leads to protection and safeguarding of these areas going forward. Our local green spaces provide vital refuges for local wildlife in urban areas and are also a haven for people to disconnect from the worries in life and boost their physical and mental wellbeing.

I am excited to bring my experience to WWT and deliver these exciting projects!

Experience and interests

• Extensive field surveying in UK and internationally including – SSSI Condition Assessments, Habitat Survey Mapping, species surveying, bird ringing.
• Use of Geographical Information Systems and flood mapping software: ArcGIS, QGIS, Scalgo
• Multi-partner project delivery.
• Community engagement and volunteer management including creating and running Citizen Science projects.
• Creating habitat restoration plans in a range of habitats, particularly on upland moorland systems and blanket bog protected habitat.