Oxford freshwater expert Jeremy Biggs recognised for work

Professor Jeremy Biggs, chief executive of Oxford-based Freshwater Habitats Trust and a visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University, was named in the 2026 ENDS Power List.

The list recognises individuals who have made a significant impact on environmental progress over the past two years.

He appeared in the Unsung Heroes category for his long-term advocacy of ponds and small waterbodies as critical sanctuaries for biodiversity.

Professor Biggs said: “I’m delighted to have been nominated by colleagues in the sector for the ENDS Power List and that the panel of judges recognises the value of the work I’ve contributed to.

“The real unsung heroes are, of course, my Freshwater Habitats Trust colleagues and partners, past and present, who work tirelessly every day to reverse the decline in freshwater biodiversity.

“And the other unsung heroes are the small waters that I’ve dedicated my working life to protecting and restoring.”

Freshwater Habitats Trust has led conservation and research on ponds, streams, and wetlands under Professor Biggs’ leadership since 1988.

He paved the way for the first national survey of ponds, and continues to lead initiatives that monitor, create and restore the water environment across England and Wales.

He recently co-authored Ponds, Pools and Puddles for the Collins New Naturalist series, which compiles evidence of the vital role ponds play in biodiversity conservation.

The ENDS Power List acknowledges that much of Jeremy’s impact has been achieved quietly, ‘shaping policy, practice and partnerships away from the spotlight’.