Graduated in Environmental & Geographical Science, University of Cape Town

Graduated in Business Acumen for Artists, Graduate School of Business, UCT

Launched the Kingswood College Wildlife Society

Received Academic Merit Shield from Kingswood College 1981

Past Chairman of The Zandvlei Trust and the Scarborough Conservation Group; Committee Member of the Cape Bird Club

As a fully qualified local waters skipper with celestial navigation accreditation, he led sail training courses in Cape Town 

His first solo exhibition held in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, 1989

His book 'Watching Whales and Dolphins in Southern Africa' was published by Penguin Random House

He was the Scientific and Behavioural Consultant on feature film 'Free Willy 4' for Warner Bros and for ARD German Television

Launched Ashton Environmental Programmes and Publishing in 1999

His 'Oceans of Africa Cetacean Conservation Programme' was launched in 2003

In 2008 Archbishop Desmond Tutu unveiled his acclaimed 'Sacred Ocean' sculpture campaign and 'The Great Whaling Debate'. Sacred Ocean was viewed by over a million people and the story went global through Reuters Press.

His 'Windows on the Oceans Exhibition' was launched by Jonathan Oppenheimer of the De Beers Group, 2003

The 'De Beers Oceans of Africa Species Panels' unveiled in the Two Oceans Aquarium, 2003

His Namdeb 'Benguela Dolphin Panels' launched at Swakopmund Aquarium

A Top Billing programme on Noel’s scientific research and illustrations featured on national television

'Journeys in Search of the Whale' launched in the Iziko South African Museum

The 'IFAW Whale Walk' boards unveiled by Mayor of Hermanus before a national roll-out

'The Whale Show' Audio Visual seen by over 40 000 visitors to Hermanus

Created teachers training workshops for the Two Oceans Aquarium Trust

Science and Art presentation launched at National Science Week, Grahamstown and gave 'Excellence' lecture at Rhodes Univercity.

Partnered with WESSA to fund a whale research 4×4 vehicle through print sales of one of his most successful paintings

Completed and published the first global scientific illustration of the Heaviside’s Dolphin for the International Whaling Commission

Partnered with WWF to raise over half a million rand for rhino conservation through his 'Mapungubwe Revisited' bronze sculpture campaign. Funded by HSBC Africa

Launched '52 Artworks - A Year in Nature' initiative with Africa Geographic 

Panelist judge for the Science Centre Expo, Canal Walk

Created and launched the Enviro Expo at the Hermanus Whale Festival

Panelist on Empowered Entrepreneur discussion, London 2019

His horse bronzes featured as ‘Artwork of the Month’ by Henry&James, London

‘Wild & Free’ Bronze included in the 2019 Royal Ascot Exhibition in London