146: Multi-Generational Outdoors Teaching with Emanuel Rose

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hOsBDyZkH2ll9DoIDeZOX?si=ee676cae69e84c0c Once again we are coming back to the subject of getting the young generation educated about nature and involved in experiences they might otherwise miss. It’s a theme that has been discussed on my podcast several times. It also comes back time and time again during my conversations about the state of nature and … Continue reading 146: Multi-Generational Outdoors Teaching with Emanuel Rose →

143: Emergent with Miriam Kate McDonald

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dFGDPogQaVxPMLt1BXxww?si=d2e3469535b84c7d In conversations about nature and wildlife, we often observe an ideological divide between two groups: farmers and rewilders. This divide can be seen in their different approaches to conservation and land management. Farmers tend to prioritise the production of food and other resources, while rewilders focus on restoring natural habitats and ecosystems, with a … Continue reading 143: Emergent with Miriam Kate McDonald →

142: Treated Like Animals with Alick Simmons

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FyIICqk7ii3cT7TKq9gNe?si=983b84ba80874b3e The subject of the humane treatment of animals is not an easy one. As hunters, anglers, conservationists, farmers and pet owners we like to think that we instinctively know which interactions with animals are humane and okay, and which are not. And when someone questions our actions or intentions we often tend to get … Continue reading 142: Treated Like Animals with Alick Simmons →

129: In Search of One Last Song with Patrick Galbraith

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5k4M40fKoa0uJl6lAMHa0W?si=i1ysVGMURkukBt8NG1xaUA Anyone who has any level of interest in wildlife is aware of the massive biodiversity crisis we are facing right now. Sometimes it is called a sixth mass extinction. Its symptoms can be seen not only in world-famous ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef or the Amazon rainforest but also in our woods and … Continue reading 129: In Search of One Last Song with Patrick Galbraith →

128: Rhythms of Nature with Ian Carter

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1GH9KiN0YtHn7p6kYjOtxH?si=b7e39e3f036c4bc7 This week, Ian Carter, naturalist, ornithologist and author, is back on the show with his new book titled Rhythms of Nature. (Previously, Ian was our guest on episode 105.) I really enjoyed his last book so I was eagerly awaiting his next publication. Rhythms of Nature delivers a great, engaging read and, like Ian’s … Continue reading 128: Rhythms of Nature with Ian Carter →

126: The Saviour Fish with Mark Weston

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EFjiJ9fltI5hmxRJrcDNw?si=R8CXOCmKSQm1nxZNP81dJw In this episode, our guest is Mark Weston, the author of “The Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa's Greatest Lake”. It is always fun talking with authors and exploring details of events described in their books that didn’t make the cut to the final version. And so, I had the pleasure to talk … Continue reading 126: The Saviour Fish with Mark Weston →

Episode 121: Cries of the Savanna with Sue Tidwell

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HxaFqNcltM1E2NAQOVD7G?si=f2686540950645c9 In this episode, once again, we’re going to take on the subject of hunting in Africa. Our guest is Sue Tidwell, the author of a wonderful book titled “Cries of the Savanna” that I reviewed in last week’s blog post. And since I really liked the book I was itching for the opportunity to … Continue reading Episode 121: Cries of the Savanna with Sue Tidwell →

Cries of the Savanna by Sue Tidwell – A Book Review

Hunting in Africa is a controversial subject that I have discussed with expert guests a few times on my podcast. I also follow related social media discussions. Unfortunately, I get the impression (confirmed on many occasions) that people taking part in these discussions have very limited, or purely theoretical, experience. This often leads to ridiculous … Continue reading Cries of the Savanna by Sue Tidwell – A Book Review →

Wildwoods by Richard Nairn – A Book Review

The subject of Irish native woodlands has come up on the podcast more than once. For instance, I devoted an entire episode to this subject in 2018. Being born and raised in a country with much more tree cover than Ireland, broadleaf woodlands are one of the features of the natural landscape that I miss … Continue reading Wildwoods by Richard Nairn – A Book Review →

Episode 114: The Implausible Rewilding with Steve Cracknell

https://open.spotify.com/episode/17KE1Q8ctDRIdBAREzViTY?si=cc739ef7c41547ab It’s no exaggeration to say that this was the most anticipated book of the year for me. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since, as regular listeners know, I’m keenly interested in rewilding and the conflict surrounding it. Therefore, it was my pleasure to chat with the author, Steve Cracknell, about the book, how … Continue reading Episode 114: The Implausible Rewilding with Steve Cracknell →