We are thrilled to announce that Paul Jepson has joined Rewilding Europe’s Supervisory Board since April this year. The appointment formalises the hugely valuable and ongoing contribution of this leading British conservationist, geographer and ornithologist to rewilding.
A life-long birder and conservationist, Jepson currently directs Oxford University’s MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management. He is also a senior research fellow at the university’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment.
A passionate and visionary supporter of rewilding for over a decade, Jepson is well known for his progressive thinking on conservation. Through his scientific publications and work at Oxford University, he has already made an invaluable contribution to the development of rewilding as a new conservation narrative in Europe.
“Today we stand at an important and exciting juncture in the history of conservation,” says Jepson. “The achievements of the past 30 years have been significant, but society is changing fast. Rewilding Europe is now giving form to advances in interdisciplinary conservation science and wider trends in society.”
Jepson is now looking forward to raising the profile of rewilding further within European scientific and policy circles, to making connections between rewilding-related research and related disciplines, and to contributing to Rewilding Europe’s applied work. He will also help to direct thinking on the educational aspects of rewilding, and how Rewilding Europe can interact with technological forces that are shaping the future.
“Rewilding Europe’s philosophy and work on the ground can re-energise the conservation movement, assuring its relevance and impact in the twenty-first century,” continues the British conservationist. “I am really proud and excited to be part of the team.”
Frans Schepers, Rewilding Europe’s managing director, is delighted by Jepson’s appointment. “Paul has been a worthy advocate of rewilding for many years,” says Schepers. “As we move ahead, his visionary work and approach to conservation will undoubtedly play a hugely important role in the development of our initiative. I look forward to collaborating with Paul for many more years to come.”
To find out more about Paul Jepson and his work, you can also visit his personal website here.