Trustees

Dr Nick Atkinson
Formerly Chief Executive (National Park Officer) with Dartmoor National Park Authority (1991 - 2008) where previous posts included those of applied ecologist, head ranger, and head of conservation.  Doctorate in Social and Economic Aspects of Forest Recreation (Univ of Wales 1972).  Member of Devon and Cornwall Committee National Trust and Chairman of South Tawton Local History Group.  Lives on a four hectare holding within the Dartmoor Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme on the edge of the moor above South Zeal.  In addition to wildlife, specific interests in broadleaved woodland, common land, environmental management of farmland, landscape and wild country.  Member of DWT since 1975.  Vice chair of Executive Committee and member of Governance Panel and Trustee Appointments Panel. 

Vernon Clarke
Partner with Tozers Solicitors, Exeter.  A member of the Charity Law Association and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners with 22 years experience in charity and property matters.  He is also a trustee of an Historic Buildings Trust and a charity providing sheltered employment for the learning disabled in a horticultural setting.  Has a small flock of Soay sheep and is a member of the Soay Sheep Society and the Rare Breeds Trust.  Lives in the South Hams and is a great enthusiast of the countryside and its pursuits.  Member of DWT since 1995.  Chair of Executive Committee.  Company Director of Devon Wildlife Enterprises. 

Andrew Cooper
Author and broadcaster.  A biologist by training.  Award-winning wildlife film-maker and TV producer with the BBC Natural History Unit.  Programmes produced include the BBC ‘Secret Nature’ TV series and ‘In the Eye of the Wind’, a tribute to the late Sir Peter Scott. In recent years he has produced ten ‘blue chip’ BBC Natural World documentaries such as the highly regarded Devon based, ‘Farm That Time Forgot’.  Born and brought up in Devon, he is a landowner who tries to practise what he preaches in the woodlands and pastures of his own farm on the southern slopes of the Teign estuary.  Actively involved with other conservation organisations, he is a trustee of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust and Vice-President of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.  Chair of Council and Member of Executive Committee, Governance Panel and Trustee Appointments Panel. 

Joyce Dignam
Lawyer, retired 2001.  Member of DWT since 1985.  Secretary to the North Devon Area Committee from 1985 to 1992.  One of the founders of the Barnstaple and District Local Group in 1990, Chair and Secretary since that date, organising a programme of weekly wildlife experiences throughout the summer and monthly evening talks in the winter.     Keen interest in and passionate concern for the environment including the health of our seas.  Joyce’s wildlife interests, apart from campaigning on biodiversity issues are botanical study and recording, including fungus and lichens.  

Ian Ferguson
Trained in forestry and agriculture.  Formerly an Agricultural Rep travelling widely in North Devon and North Cornwall, now retired.  Joined the then Devon Trust for Nature Conservation in 1966 and, through the North Devon Area Committee, became involved in practical conservation work and in the establishment of the Halsdon and Halwill nature reserves.  Member of Barnstaple Local Group committee.  Formerly, helped for many years with magazine delivery and sales.  Other activities have included trustee of Tarka Country Trust & member of a Local Community Woodlands Project. 

John Fry
Member of DWT since 1979.  A partner in the firm of Condy Mathias, Chartered Accountants, he qualified in 1967 and spent 15 years working in London and North America.  Returning to Devon where he grew up, his work has mainly been in agriculture and tourism.  He became professionally involved in the work of the Marine Biological Association of the UK in Plymouth and helped to establish the National Marine Aquarium, serving it as Trustee from its inception in 1988 until retirement in 2008.   He has a passionate interest in the countryside and all forms of wildlife.  Recently acquired 20 acres of woodland and riverside meadow which he is trying to restore as wildlife habitat.   Honorary Treasurer, member of Executive Committee.

Geoff Hearnden
A first generation farmer, purchased a rundown farm on the edge of Dartmoor in 1959.  After over 40 years of running a commercial unit with lots of conservation round the edges alleged retirement means that wildlife is steadily taking over more acres.  Joined DWT in 1969 after working with the then Dunsford Nature Reserve Committee.  In 2001 was awarded an Honorary MSc by Plymouth University partly ‘in recognition of the efforts made by the wildlife trusts and the farming industry to come to some mutual understanding’.
Vice Chair of Council, member of Executive Committee.

Tony Jackson
For the past 14 years, has run his own Management Consultancy practice specialising in providing business controls and 'hands on' guidance to small and medium sized enterprises.  Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.  Twenty years general management experience.  Former jobs include Managing Director of Fuelserv Limited (an early corporate supporter of DWT) and now holds a number of non-Executive Directorships.  Chair of the Board of Devon Wildlife Enterprises.

Professor Ian Mercer CBE
Geographer, began work for the Field Studies Council in 1956.  1959 sent to Devon to start the Slapton Ley Field Centre and manage Slapton Ley Nature Reserve.  Appointed County Conservation Officer in 1971 by County Council.  Chief Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority 1973-90.  In 1990 appointed first chief executive of Countryside Council for Wales, combining the functions of English Nature and the Countryside Commission (in England).  Secretary General Association National Park Authorities 1996-2001.  Chaired public inquiries into FMD Outbreak (2001) and MSC Napoli beaching (2008). In 1996 he was appointed CBE for services to the environment in Wales.  Currently chairman of Dartmoor Commoners’ Council (whose Act he saw through Parliament in 1985) and SW Uplands Federation.  Author New Naturalist ‘Dartmoor’ (111) 2009.  Has worked for DWT since 1961 (Asst Secretary, Hon Secretary, then Chairman), now President.

Nigel Rendle
Previously a Management Accountant with the Wrigley Co Ltd, took early retirement after 36 years of service.  Was instrumental in the Company's introduction of environmental policies & the development of their large site in Plymouth as a wildlife conservation area.   Member of DWT for over 38 years.  Former Chair of Tavistock Local Group.  A founder member of the support groups in Plymouth for the RSPB and Greenpeace.  Now enjoying walking on Dartmoor, chairing the Yelverton Local History Society and giving more time to DWT.

John Whetman
During his career in horticulture, he built up a successful business near Dawlish, accredited by Investors in People. He still manages the plant breeding project for the business.   Involved with the Devon Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group for over 25 years and has organised the FWAG farm conservation competition for many years, and also a project to enable children to visit farms to study wildlife.  In the 1980's he purchased a small parcel of badly managed land and restored it to a species rich County Wildlife Site. He and his wife now own and run a 97 acre County Wildlife Site sheep farm near Chudleigh, which is being developed as a field studies centre.  He has been a member of Council since 1998 and has a special interest in habitat management.  He has visited nearly all DWT’s nature reserves, supporting the Reserves team as much as possible. His farm is part of the DWT Ruggadon Nature Reserve ecological unit and he helps with habitat management on the reserve.

New Trustees elected in 2010

Charles Dixon, Peta Foxall, Matt Lobley, Trevor Smale and Dick Waite.