Spotlight on CCG Members - Jack Spees - August 2021
Aug, 4 2021
Our youth can often shape the career path we decide to take as adults. If, for example, your childhood was spent in the countryside exploring rivers and streams then there is a greater chance you could be channelling your workplace in this area.
That’s exactly what occurred with this month’s ‘Spotlight on CCG Members’ – Clitheroe based Jack Spees. Let us discover more about this unique individual.
Having found his feet in a rural and river environment, Jack embarked on a degree in Physics. The tide turned though, following his stint in a number of sectors, he completed an MSc at the University of Wales Bangor, in Conservation and Land Management. This concluded with his dissertation, undertaking a benefit assessment of a river improvement project.
His studies revealed a real interest in Ecological Economics, Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital. These three sources became the evidence based approached set in motion by Jack in improving the Ribble Catchment.
For many, the outward appearance of a river may look bland but Jack has a deeper perspective based solely on his intrinsic value of rivers and streams and the sense of mystery that they conjure, a passion he has been keen to share.
His two notable achievements include:-
- Joining The Ribble Rivers Trust in the Spring of 2008 as the Fisheries Scientist.
- Becoming the CEO in May 2010, and has grown Ribble Rivers Trust significantly since that period.
In the years that followed, Jack has strived to involve more people in all aspects of river and wider natural environment improvement, seeking to find new and innovative ways to engage people and share the benefits of healthy rivers. This has seen him engage with others on bat walks and art activities within the school environment.
Recently, he has worked collaboratively with the Environment Agency and Lancashire Public Health team to complete a project which was organised with the overall intention to identify and prioritise locations across Lancashire, where improvements to the Environment could support improvements in the physical health of communities. This work has now - in part - been rolled out nationally.
His other noteworthy accreditations include:-
- Chair of the Lancashire Local Nature Partnership
- 2018 appointment as a Trustee of The Rivers Trust – the umbrella organisation for over 60 rivers trusts across England, Wales and Ireland.
Follow him on social media and find out more about The Ribble Trust:-
We welcome you Jack to the CCG and look forward to learning about your great knowledge of rivers and streams.
^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger
