Our Staff
Jon Shelton – Partnership Manager
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Geography, Dip C.Mgt, MSc Estuarine & Coastal Zone Management
Background: Originally from Batley in Yorkshire, studied in London before moving to Kent. First job in conservation with BTCV in London. Worked as Countryside Ranger and Community Woodland Officer before joining the KSCP when it first started in 1992. Currently chairs a number of groups including the East Kent Catchment Improvement Partnership.
Interests: Squash, playing football and keeping an eye on the Leeds Utd results, allotment, music, travel, photography, cookery and walking a rather athletic English pointer.
Diane Comley – Senior Partnership Officer, Ashford
Qualifications: BSc Landscape Management, BA Fine Art (photography)
Background: Originally from Wakefield, I grew up in Glasgow then moved around living in Perth Scotland, London and Montreal Canada, before moving to Kent in 1995. I worked as an artist and teacher for many years, then my visual appreciation for the landscape moved me into learning about the environment and studying Landscape Management at Hadlow College. I began working for KSCP as a volunteer, worked with the then Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for a while as a Living Landscapes Co-ordinator, and eventually starting paid employment with KSCP in 2008.
Interests: Music (singer in a folk band), walking, woodland fungi and pub lunches.
Andrew Craswell – Partnership Officer, Canterbury
Qualifications: BSc Animal biology and Conservation.
Background: I grew up in Kent and studied wildlife conservation at Oxford Brookes University. Over the years I have spent time volunteering for the RSPB and KWT mostly helping with practical habitat management tasks. I more recently gained some experience undertaking bat surveys as an ecological subcontractor. My current role at KSCP involves leading the Canterbury volunteer group, wardening Hambrook Marshes and delivering projects such as tree planting.
Interests: I am an avid runner and golfer. I enjoy watching sports and like to keep fit and active. I enjoy hiking, exploring, birding, taking photos and learning about the things that I find!
Emily Davies – Partnership Officer
Qualifications: BSC Zoology and Animal Behaviour.
Background: Raised in the Godinton area of Ashford, studied in Bangor, North Wales, and worked within their Botanic Garden and allotment doing habitat management. Previously young Trustee of North Wales Wildlife Trust, a Conservation Officer and Environmental Technician. Completed Ecological Training Certificate prior to being employed with KSCP, currently working with local landowners to create new connected pond-scapes for great crested newts. Other work includes education for school groups and outreach events, tree – planting, leading volunteer tasks, woodland management and coordinating our GCN survey team.
Interests: Gardening, Crochet, Painting illustrations of wildlife and pets, fungus forays and birding!
Hallie Rounthwaite – River Officer
Qualifications: MSc (Hons) Ethnobotany, BA Anthropology & Climate Change Studies
Background: Raised on my family’s dairy farm in British Columbia, Canada, I moved to the UK in 2021 to do my MSc at the University of Kent. I worked for several years as a youth worker, leading nature-based educational programming and invasive plant removal projects with children. Most recently I was the supervisor of the Franciscan Gardens, an 800-year-old medieval heritage garden that borders the Great Stour in Canterbury.
Interests: Camping, plant and insect ID, trying new foods, cooking for loved ones, weight lifting, and video games
Phillippa Daws – Partnership Officer
Qualifications: BSc Environmental Science (in progress with The Open University)
Background: I have always lived in rural Kent so the countryside is a big part of who I am. I first joined KSCP as a volunteer back in 2008/9, joining in with the Ashford volunteer group. Since 2023, I have conducted pond surveys as part of Natural England’s DLL scheme for great crested newts with KSCP. In 2024 I was taken on by KSCP as a trainee. It was during this time I gained valuable experience assisting with a variety of projects, and obtained my brushcutter licence and first aid certificate. I am currently studying for a degree in Environmental Science with The Open University alongside my current role as Partnership Officer, where I am helping to deliver a variety of projects.
Interests: I love being outdoors! I particularly enjoy walking/hiking and swimming in the sea. When I get time, I also love reading nature themed books.
Lucy Mangnall-Green – Partnership Officer
Qualifications:Paddle UK Paddlesport Coach, Ba (Hons) in English Literature, Training to be a FSA Level 3 Forest School Leader
Background: I grew up in Canterbury, and have always been a very outdoorsy person who spends most of their time in nature or the nearest natural swim spot! I graduated from The University of Kent with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, however I ended up following my love for nature and water in my work as a Paddlesports coach from the age of 18 and now at 24 I have just started as a Partnership Officer at KSCP. I also volunteer with the RSPB Youth groups to help run nature activities for the children, work as a part time SEND Teaching Assistant, and am training to be a FSA Level 3 Forest School Leader; skills and activities which I hope to bring to KSCP’s educational offering.
Interests: Paddlesports, cold water swimming, growing my own food, walking my dog, and reading.