New Year Honours for NRW peatland specialist

Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) senior peatland specialist has been named an honouree in the King’s New Year Honours list.

Peter Jones, from Anglesey, will be awarded an MBE after being recognised for services to Welsh peatlands and to the community in Wales.

Peter Jones is NRWs Senior Specialist Advisor for peatland ecosystems across Wales. With an illustrious career spanning over twenty-seven years, he has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of peatland ecosystems and advocating for their protection.

Peatlands, crucial ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon and support unique biodiversity, have become increasingly important in the global fight against climate change. Peter was instrumental in establishing the National Peatland Action Programme which is being delivered by NRW and funded by WG and which with the support of many partners restores peatlands across Wales to help address the nature and climate emergencies.

Peter graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Botany and has a Ph.D in wetland ecology, both from Cardiff University. He is married with two children and lives in Capel Coch on Anglesey on the edge of Cors Erddreiniog National Nature Reserve, one of Wales’s largest lowland peatlands.

Outside of work he is a member of the RNLI shorecrew at Moelfre Lifeboat Station on Anglesey.

Recalling when he received his letter telling him he had been awarded the honour, Peter said

“It was completely unexpected; it doesn’t feel real and I am very humbled by it. I am just one of many committed people at NRW working to safeguard and improve our wonderful peatland resource and the wider Welsh environment.

Clare Pillman, NRW’s Chief Executive added:

"I am delighted that Pete has received this honour as it acknowledges the importance of working for the environment to our society. He has dedicated his career to understanding, restoring and promoting our understanding of peatlands.”