Rory Francis

Some of you may remember that Rory worked for the Society as Director for six years in the 1990s. I’m still proud of the work I did with the Society then. For most of the time since then I’ve been leading the public affairs and communications work for Coed Cadw Woodland Trust in Wales, working for woodland conservation in Wales.

Eryri has been an important part of my life. I moved to the area in 1994 to work for the Society and I’ve stayed here ever since. Although I grew up in Birkenhead, I was always drawn to orth Wales and I learnt Welsh as a teenager and in my early 20s. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be able to work in roles that involve campaigning to protect and enhance the natural environment in Wales for over 30 years.

In my spare time, I love walking in the mountains, through the woods and along the rivers and streams of Eryri. I’m a keen photographer and I love riding around the area on my ebike. It was the landscape and wildlife and the Welsh language and culture that drew me to this area, and I am hugely looking forward to being able to spend my working time coordinating the Society’s efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment of Eryri.’

You can contact Rory on: 07539322678 director@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Cai Bishop-Guest

As a Conservation Assistant, Cai also runs practical volunteer days throughout the park, helping the society to accomplish more amazing work with its volunteers.

Born in Snowdonia before relocating at an early age to south Wales, Cai is excited to have come full circle, returning to live and work in the National Park. During his frequent visits to see friends and family he fell in love with the landscape, wildlife and people.

Pursuing his passion for the outdoors Cai studied zoology at Exeter University. During this time, he volunteered for a number of environmental education organisations, where he loved teaching people about the nature around them.

In his spare time Cai enjoys climbing, camping and has a newly acquired taste for wild swimming.

Jen Willis

Jen joined the Snowdonia Society team as Volunteer and Events Administrator, which involves facilitating the booking and arranging of volunteer work days, training and public events.

Having lived most of her life in north Wales, she loves the unique countryside of this beautiful area. For the last few years Jen has worked for the NHS but in her free time has always enjoyed being out and about exploring north Wales by foot and by bike. Jen is a keen believer that being outside in the natural world can have a really positive impact on us.

Jen is an active member of a local church and loves being part of its community and activities.  She also enjoy gardening, crocheting, and attempting to learn to surf.

Contact Jen: jen@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Daniel Goodwin

As Senior Conservation Officer Dan plans and delivers practical conservation workdays and training events throughout Snowdonia. Liaising with conservation partners Dan is involved with overseeing the running of several partnership projects including the Societies involvement with Caru Eryri and the Carneddau Landscape Partnership Project. 

Dan studied Countryside Conservation at Aberystwyth University and volunteered with several conservation organisations throughout Snowdonia before landing his role with the Society. He has a real passion for protecting and enhancing the special qualities of Snowdonia, having grown up walking the mountains, forests and coastline of Wales.

In his spare time Dan enjoys being active outdoors and exploring new places by running, hiking and cycling.

Contact Daniel at dan@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Debbie Pritchard

Debbie is the Membership and Communications Officer and is the primary contact for new and existing members. She is responsible for communications through a range of media and relationship building with our family of members and supporters.

Having lived in the area all of her life Debbie is a fluent Welsh speaker and is passionate about the future of Snowdonia.  Debbie has worked for the Salvation Army in Australia and found this a very rewarding opportunity.

In her spare time Debbie enjoys walking with her huskies, swimming and reading. She has been a vegetarian since she was 12 years old.

If you have any queries about becoming a member please contact Debbie: debbie@snowdonia-society.org.uk or visit us on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest events.

Mary Williams

Mary is a Conservation Officer for Snowdonia Society. This entails arranging and running practical conservation work days for volunteers, partnering with other conservation organisations who actively work to look after Snowdonia and its wildlife.

Mary moved to north Wales from Pembrokeshire a few years ago and loves living here. She is always happy out and about in the mountains, although far more likely to be walking than running.

Her background is in education, working with children and young people. She moved into conservation work though the National Trust ranger teams in Pembrokeshire and at Ogwen and has been a part of the Snowdonia Society team since 2019.

Mary loves meeting people and she is bound to talk to you at a volunteer event. She will probably also point out a flower or tell you a random fact about the location or wildlife.

Mary is also our Tŷ Hyll Officer, ensuring that vital maintenance jobs are done to look after the house, garden and woodland at Tŷ Hyll, Betws y Coed.

You can contact Mary at mary@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Mary-Kate Jones

Mary-Kate is our Programme Manager.  She has managed and developed the Society’s practical conservation work, volunteering and training programmes since 2012.    Since joining the Society, Mary-Kate has worked with external funders to increase the capacity of our conservation team; enabling us to have more ‘hands-on-deck’ to deliver more practical work to protect Snowdonia.  She initiated and developed our accredited training programme and has written several new training units.

Mary-Kate was heavily involved in the creation of a key partnership project  – Caru Eryri / Care for Snowdonia –  working closely with partners since 2020 to ensure a well-run scheme with robust volunteer training and support.  She is developing this work further.

In 2021, Mary-Kate led the Society’s work to become a Real Living Wage Employer.  She also led the Society’s accreditation as a Fair Play Employer, working withChwarae Teg, developing a new suite of  ‘people policies’ and laying the foundation for the Society’s work to be as inclusive as possible.  In doing this work she discovered a surprising love of policy writing!

Born and bred in North Wales, Mary-Kate is a Welsh speaker and has an MSc in Conservation Land Management from Bangor University, a City and Guilds level 4 Professional Development Award in Project Management and a Level 2 ILM Award in Leadership and Team Skills.  Mary-Kate is passionate about the conservation of Snowdonia and inevitably ends up covered in mud after any time spent outside!  She loves sea turtles and cake and is more than a little obsessed with salsa dancing.

Contact Mary-Kate at mary-kate@snowdonia-society.org.uk