Geoff Proffitt is an Emeritus Professor of Applied Ecology at Swansea University; after a rich career in conservation and habitat creation and restoration, he is now working to promote and develop the biophilic approach to urban development. He works closely with planners, developers and fund-raisers in Wales and abroad to build innovative and pioneering buildings and urban landscapes, to retrofit existing ones, leading the way towards carbon neutral or carbon positive environments, improved biodiversity and towards a circular economy.
A wetlands specialist, with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Martin Mere, Slimbridge and Llanelli, he designed and created major habitat restoration projects, including lakes, saline lagoons, marshlands, and visitor centres. In 1999 he raised the funding for the landmark Millennium Wetlands, a pioneering restoration and conservation scheme in Llanelli of 80 hectares, one of the largest wetland restoration projects in Europe on the Burry Estuary RAMSAR Site.
He is currently working to create new and renovated biophilic buildings in Wales, including commercial, domestic, hospitals and tourist attractions. He works with international investors to find funding for visionary biophilic and environmental projects, including with the Clinton Global Initiative.
He has broadcast extensively on radio and television.
“As a country with post-industrial landscapes and buildings, Wales is uniquely well-placed to renew and renovate its urban and rural settlements with crucial attention to sustainable living, habitat creation, and the wellbeing of its citizens. In truth, if we are to fully respond to and have an impact upon, the mounting challenges that are now clearly in focus the world over, urban development and redevelopment will have to take a lead.
The Wales Health and Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UK State of the Nation Biodiversity Report and the existential climate emergency, require that architects, designers, engineers, ecologists and scientists combine their skills to respond to these complex and immediate challenges.”