A field full of gold flowers is strongly contrasted by a sky full of dark clouds. Some trees form a border of the field.

Why should Nature have a place on Boards?

Background

In October 2024, NICW recommended to Welsh Government that nature be given a voice in decision-making for flood policy and implementation. Following this recommendation we decided to investigate how NICW could incorporate a Commissioner to represent the voice of nature.

We commissioned three pieces of work to assist us in our thinking:

  • A short report on how a Commissioner for Nature would work within the existing NICW structures (Simeon Rose)
  • An essay on the way that nature plays a central role in the mythology and legends of Welsh culture (Eurig Salisbury)
  • A short video highlighting the main reasons for nature to be represented on Boards (Scott Waby and Eurig Salisbury)

We invite you to explore the three resources using the links below.

An action shot of a Kingfisher leaving the water with a fish in its mouth.

A Commissioner for Nature

Simeon Rose, Co-Creator of Nature on the Board, describes how a Commissioner for nature might work for NICW, or for other public bodies in Wales.

A colourful mural depicting scenes from the Mabinogion is painted on top of this water tower.

Nature’s role in Wales’ cultural heritage

Eurig Salisbury, Research Fellow at Aberystwyth University, discusses the way in which nature has played an integral part in Wales’ cultural heritage

Video and poem