North Wales Wildlife Trust President, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, passed away on 7th February after a short illness. Dafydd El, the name by which he was invariably referred, was that very rare politician who saw language and culture as inextricably linked to our natural environment.

The ‘Baby of the House’ when first elected to represent Meirionnydd at Westminster in 1974, Dafydd’s career in politics spanned a full two generations, during which he was rarely out of the limelight.

His contribution to the post-devolution establishment of the Senedd as a credible parliamentary body was immense, guiding the fledgling legislature as its first Presiding Officer and effectively using his wealth of experience gained from Westminster.

Dafydd’s interest in and knowledge of the natural environment of Wales meant that he was always, from a conservationist’s viewpoint, on the right side of the debate. His intervention and influence were wide-ranging, arguing passionately for the causes in which he believed.

Thus, he championed the Big Green Challenge for community sustainability, spoke up for a carbon-free Wales, promoted the work of the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth and freely gave his time to supporting biodiversity initiatives across Wales, ever fearful of the consequences of the continuing decline in Welsh wildlife.

One of his greatest services to nature conservation was his instigation of an inquiry by the Senedd’s Environment and Sustainability Committee into the Welsh Government's proposals for an M4 relief road through the Gwent Levels. At the time, the Welsh Wildlife Trusts were unanimously opposed to this scheme, due to the overall impact on the wetlands and particularly the repercussions for insects and plants in the ancient reen systems. The Committee considered whether the Welsh Government’s process had, up to then, effectively balanced economic and environmental needs and interests. They concluded that there were significant environmental concerns, which eventually led to the then First Minister, Mark Drakeford, rejecting the proposals in 2019, citing the significant impact on the Gwent Levels. Though this decision was celebrated for its recognition of the importance of the Gwent Levels, it was more-widely received as a positive signal for the future amongst those who understand the fundamental importance of functioning ecosystems.

Dafydd also chaired the Future Landscapes Wales review, intended to take forward the earlier Marsden Report on protected landscapes. The review’s 2017 report, however, catalysed concerns that nature conservation did not feature sufficiently prominently. The absence of any reference to the Sandford Principle – that conservation has primacy in the event of irreconcilable conflict – was the issue. Dafydd felt that the Sandford Principle was outdated in the context of sustainable development. The ensuing debate added to the review’s recommendations, leading to the establishment of Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales in 2020 as a partnership of all the protected areas.

A doughty performer in the political arena, Dafydd was nevertheless a man of the people, approachable, good humoured and a natural raconteur. Rachel Sharp, Director, Wildlife Trusts Wales (WTW), who represented WTW on a number of working groups and committees with Dafydd recalls how he would often burst into a verse of medieval Welsh poetry, harking back in moments of levity to his academic roots and research interests. 

Although after devolution Dafydd was mostly based in Cardiff, his spiritual home was always Eryri and he valued immensely the time he was able to spend at home in Dyffryn Conwy, where he’d lived since childhood.   

Our sympathies lie with Dafydd’s family - our memories are of a great servant for Wales.

(Written by Roger Thomas - Former Chair of North Wales Wildlife Trust, and Chair of the Enfys Board of Directors)