Author: Tommy Serafinski

Hello everybody! I’m Tommy, an outdoorsman, podcaster and speaker. On Tommy’s Outdoors, I talk and write about the natural environment, biodiversity, conservation, hunting and fishing, rewilding and more. Subscribe to the Tommy’s Outdoors podcast and YouTube channel, and follow me on social media. See you in the outdoors!

Podcasthon: IWDG and IWT

The image shows a promotional banner for "Podcasthon," a global charity event featuring thousands of podcasts over 7 days from March 15-21, 2025. Two podcast hosts wearing headphones are smiling and recording, with one person having curly hair and wearing an orange and blue striped shirt, and another with a shaved head. The banner has a purple and blue gradient design with the Podcasthon logo in the top left. There's a call-to-action button saying "Sign up my podcast!" and the website podcasthon.org is listed at the bottom. The banner also shows logos for sponsors or partners including "POSITIVE" and "tgs."

https://open.spotify.com/episode/429ZzIcs28IofOAqOeQSfl Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Irish Wildlife Trust.This episode is part of the global Podcasthon initiative, in which podcasters worldwide dedicate one episode to their chosen charity. To maximise impact, all episodes are published in a single week. I’m showcasing two of the most influential Irish environmental charities: the Irish Whale and Dolphin … Continue reading Podcasthon: IWDG and IWT →

197: Living with Lynx – Conversation with Jonny Hanson

This image shows a book cover titled "LIVING WITH LYNX" by Jonny Hanson. The cover features a close-up photograph of a lynx's face, showcasing its distinctive tufted ears, facial markings, and amber eyes. Below the main title is the subtitle "Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears". The background appears to be a blurred winter or snowy landscape, emphasising the natural habitat of these animals. The cover uses a clean, modern typography with the author's name at the top and the title prominently displayed in large black letters across the middle of the image.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5eSwvZrhlgfkjNX9bIm5Ds Is it possible for humans and large carnivores to share landscapes without conflict? What happens when predators like wolves, bears, and lynx return to areas where they've been absent for centuries? How do we balance the ecological benefits of apex predators with the real concerns of rural communities and farmers? We’re trying to answer … Continue reading 197: Living with Lynx – Conversation with Jonny Hanson →

196: Offshore Wind and Marine Mammals with Stephen Comerford

The image shows an offshore wind farm with multiple white wind turbines arranged in a line across the horizon. The turbines are installed in the sea, with their bases partially submerged in the grey-blue water. The sky above is overcast with a light grey cloud cover, creating a moody atmosphere. Each turbine has three blades and appears to be of significant size, standing tall above the water's surface. The turbines are evenly spaced and extend across the entire width of the frame, demonstrating the scale of the offshore wind energy installation. Image by Julia Schwab from Pixabay

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4w1wJAISQyArnmmUCCOMOX Are offshore wind farms detrimental to marine mammals? What happens when we industrialise our seas with massive turbines? Can we balance the urgent need for renewable energy with protecting marine life? These questions take centre stage in our conversation with marine ecologist Dr Stephen Comerford, who is the ORE Marine Biodiversity Officer at the … Continue reading 196: Offshore Wind and Marine Mammals with Stephen Comerford →

195: Can Hunting Foster Environmental Stewardship? Conversation with Thorsten Gieser

A group of hunters standing in a line wearing yellow hunting jackets and dark trousers, with some wearing hunting hats. Behind them hangs a row of harvested rabbits or similar game animals on a wooden frame. The scene is set in a misty or foggy wooded area, creating a moody atmosphere. The hunters appear to be gathered for what might be an end-of-hunt gathering or inspection of their quarry.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ppiuvpQiPlitGsQdn1QZI What makes someone kill an animal and still claim to care deeply about nature? Can the act of hunting foster environmental stewardship? These somewhat provocative questions lie at the heart of my conversation with Thorsten Gieser, an anthropologist studying hunting practices and their deeper meaning in modern society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZEUi8k_GDk Our discussion explores the complex … Continue reading 195: Can Hunting Foster Environmental Stewardship? Conversation with Thorsten Gieser →

194: Pink Salmon Invasion on Norwegian Rivers with Jude Isabella

A rocky river with small waterfalls flowing through an autumn landscape in Finnmark, Norway. The scene is framed by birch trees with golden-yellow leaves, whilst rugged mountains form the backdrop. The river cascades over dark bedrock, creating white rapids. Photo by Arvid Høidahl on Unsplash.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/42CLzA0rIjVKUvpE27eTPf What happens when Pacific salmon invade Atlantic waters? How does a Soviet-era experiment from the 1950s continue to impact Norwegian rivers today? We’re answering these questions in conversation with Jude Isabella, founder and editor-in-chief of Hakai Magazine, and author of multiple books including Salmon: A Scientific Memoir. This episode was inspired by her three-week … Continue reading 194: Pink Salmon Invasion on Norwegian Rivers with Jude Isabella →

193: Human-Wildlife Conflict – Romanian Bears and African Elephants with Jens Ulrik Høgh

Bear on the side of the road at the Transfagarasan road in Arges county, Romania. Photo by Fermoar.ro on Unsplash

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OI5ygBsMnCQZUFjNAhnIe Can hunting be an effective way to manage human-wildlife conflict? What happens when well-intentioned wildlife protection measures backfire? I spoke with Jens Ulrik Høgh, a Scandinavian hunting journalist, to find answers to these questions through the lens of Romania's bear management crisis. When hunting was banned in 2016 under pressure from animal rights groups, … Continue reading 193: Human-Wildlife Conflict – Romanian Bears and African Elephants with Jens Ulrik Høgh →

Conservation and Science 2024 Recap

This image appears to be a podcast cover or thumbnail for "Tommy's Outdoors Conservation and Science" podcast. It features text in white against a dark green background, with "2024 RECAP" as the main focal point in large text in the center. The title "TOMMY'S OUTDOORS CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE" appears at the top, with "PODCAST" at the bottom. The word "AND" between "CONSERVATION" and "SCIENCE" is accented with yellow/gold lines above and below it. The design is clean and professional, using a bold, modern typography style

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YXjcJOfmY0p9DdJJZ6kWa If you're new to the podcast or would like to refresh your memory of last year's episodes, here's a recap of all the episodes from 2024. Which was your favourite? Reply to this email and let me know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqQxthEE6U8

Christmas Wishes and a Peek into 2025

Sunbeams pierce through evergreen branches adorned with bright red poinsettia flowers, creating dramatic rays of golden light. The sunburst effect illuminates dust particles in the air, whilst the green foliage and red flowers are beautifully backlit, creating a magical Christmas atmosphere. The composition features rich bokeh effects in the background, adding to the festive warmth.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vzqPAmSBy92gbbXAe7XyO Unlike many podcasters who take a break over Christmas, I'm not taking breaks. Instead, as I do every year, I'm publishing a special episode with seasonal wishes and, most importantly, with a big thank you to all of you for being here with me, subscribing to the podcast whether on a podcast app or … Continue reading Christmas Wishes and a Peek into 2025 →

Let’s Talk About Europe’s Wolf Protection Laws

A dramatic digital artwork depicting five snarling wolves with bared teeth, shown in close-up against a dark, moody background. The wolves have detailed fur rendered in golden-brown and white tones. They appear to be confronting each other aggressively, with their paws extended and bodies positioned on what appears to be gnarled tree branches. The lighting creates a theatrical, Renaissance-style atmosphere with golden highlights contrasting against shadowy areas.

As you may have heard, the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention (an international legal instrument for nature conservation) decided to lower the protection status of wolves. This opens the way to lower their protection status across the EU through the Habitats Directive. The move had been on the cards for over a year, and … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Europe’s Wolf Protection Laws →

192: EU Green Policy – The Science-Politics Divide with Faustine Bas-Defossez

An abstract digital network or circuit design overlaid on a vibrant green background. The design features light green geometric shapes - primarily circles and rectangles - interconnected by straight lines and paths, creating a pattern reminiscent of a circuit board or network diagram. The background has a soft, organic bokeh effect with varying shades of green and subtle blue tints, creating a contrast between the natural, blurred background and the precise, technical overlay. This combination suggests a theme of technology harmonising with nature, or digital systems existing within an organic environment. The overall composition has a modern, technological aesthetic while maintaining a natural, organic feel through its colour palette and background texture.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/504BGYFynHK6IWxMuEljWL How much influence do personal experiences of high-ranking officials have on EU environmental policies? What happens when science-based conservation collides with political interests? Can farmers and environmentalists find common ground in nature restoration? In this episode, I talk to Faustine Bas-Defossez, Director for Nature, Health and Environment at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), who … Continue reading 192: EU Green Policy – The Science-Politics Divide with Faustine Bas-Defossez →