Lawrence Jones-Walters

Lawrence Jones-Walters is a Project Manager and KB Programme leader at Wageningen University & Research, holding the academic rank of Researcher. He actively leads two major projects until 2025: Communications, travel and hospitality and Coreteam KB Nature Inclusive, focusing on biodiversity conservation and nature-inclusive development in island ecosystems.

Dr. Jones-Walters possesses a PhD and MSc, forming the foundation for his expertise in environmental sciences. His research spans biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development, with geographic emphasis on Aruba, St. Eustatius, and European territories. He employs interdisciplinary approaches to address overexploitation, invasive species threats, and zoonotic disease risks through stakeholder engagement and future scenario planning.

Recent publications reveal a trajectory toward actionable environmental solutions, particularly catalogues of nature-inclusive measures and explorations of sustainable futures for island nations. His work bridges scientific research with societal implementation, emphasizing practical applications for policymakers and communities in biodiversity management.

As an active public intellectual, Jones-Walters contributes expert commentary on biodiversity's economic value and nature-inclusive transitions through media engagements. His 2018 lecture Challenge, opportunity or dilemma? demonstrates his commitment to translating complex environmental concepts for broader audiences.

He directs two significant Knowledge Base Programme grants (KB-36-005-021 and KB-36-005-013) focused on fostering nature-positive transitions through interdisciplinary collaboration. These projects involve extensive stakeholder workshops and the development of future scenarios for sustainable human-nature coexistence in vulnerable island ecosystems.

Within Wageningen University & Research's KB Programme leadership structure, Jones-Walters operates at the nexus of environmental science and societal impact, driving initiatives that integrate biodiversity considerations into sustainable development frameworks across European and Caribbean contexts.