The conservation world mourns the loss of Mike Alexander, a visionary protector of Welsh wildlife who realised his childhood ambition and left an indelible mark on global nature preservation efforts before his death at 77.
From Schoolboy Dream to Island Guardian
Mike Alexander's extraordinary journey in conservation began unexpectedly during his school days. At just 13 years old, while attending Gwendraeth Valley grammar school in Carmarthenshire, a teacher's casual invitation to visit Skomer Island sparked a lifelong passion. The young Mike, initially drawn by the prospect of a boat journey, found his calling during that single day trip and declared he would one day become warden of the Pembrokeshire island.
His determination saw him leave home at 16 to work as crew member on the Skomer ferry while volunteering as an assistant to the main warden. This early commitment laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable career spanning decades and continents.
Building a Conservation Legacy
Mike's conservation career took him across the world before he secured his dream position. In 1967, he became warden of the Calf of Man bird observatory, followed by a year in Canada as warden of Long Point bird observatory in Ontario. After returning to Britain, he briefly pursued fine art sculpture at Dyfed College of Art before landing his coveted role as Skomer Island warden in 1976.
The appointment came with an unusual condition - the successful candidate had to be married. Mike and his girlfriend Rosanne Daniel, whom he met at art college, hastily formalised their relationship and crossed to the island immediately after their wedding.
Revolutionising Conservation Management
After a decade on Skomer, Mike joined the Nature Conservancy Council in 1986 as warden for South Meirionnydd reserves. Frustrated by what he perceived as insufficient rigour in nature reserve management, he pioneered a computerised system for managing reserve features at a time when computers faced suspicion from field colleagues.
Working with NCC colleague James Perrins, he developed the Countryside Management computer system, now utilised by conservation organisations worldwide. His expertise saw him assume responsibility for all national nature reserves in Wales, and his 2008 book Management Planning for Nature Conservation remains a standard text in the field.
Bridging Divides and Continuing Service
Beyond his technical contributions, Mike dedicated 16 years (2005-2021) as chair of Pori Natur a Threftdaeth, a charity building bridges between conservation advocates and farmers. Even after retiring at 72, he continued serving as chair of the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales until 2024.
His artistic background enriched his conservation work, with his photography gracing numerous publications including his own book Skomer Island: Its History and Natural History published in 2021. He was also known for creating exquisite wood carvings, blending his artistic talents with his deep connection to nature.
Mike Alexander is survived by his wife Rosanne and siblings Jeff, Anne and Tina, leaving behind a conservation legacy that continues to influence environmental protection efforts across Wales and beyond.
