Jon is an environmental and agricultural specialist focused on ecological infrastructure, water resource management, and climate adaptation. With over 20 years’ experience at the Institute of Natural Resources (INR). Jon has led several transformative multidisciplinary projects including the uMkhomazi Catchment restoration programme, involving multi-agency funding to support climate smart agriculture, catchment rehabilitation and restoration, water stewardship, sustainable grazing practices, and landscape-scale catchment planning.

Jon also has strong background in climate change adaptation, having worked on projects such as the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s Eco-DRR project, which aims to scale up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate risks. Jon also plays a key role in the Joint Nature Conservation Commission’s Environmental Pollution Programme focused on KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa investigating and developing pragmatic solutions to pollution challenges at a local scale.  Jon has contributed to various strategic frameworks and guidelines, including the National Rainwater Harvesting Strategy and the Strategic Environmental Assessment for eThekwini Municipality and the development of a strategic framework for agroforestry in South Africa and the delivery of associated training courses. Through a combination of applied research, community engagement, and policy development, Jon has consistently worked towards enhancing sustainability and resilience in the agricultural and natural resource management sectors.