214: Bringing Back the Wild with Mike Arnold – A Hunter’s View of Global Conservation

A hunter in camouflage clothing and glasses kneels beside a harvested nyala antelope in a grassy field. The hunter holds a rifle and poses with the animal, which displays distinctive white vertical stripes on its dark brown coat and long spiral horns. Dense vegetation is visible in the background.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2pc7FMa9DZhL5wKzFlcaQt?si=4UTk4PlfTQWE8wqSRAmq8A Can hunting truly support conservation? Does fortress conservation offer a sustainable solution for protecting wildlife in the long term? And how do we balance the needs of impoverished communities with the preservation of fragile ecosystems? Our guest today is Mike Arnold, a Distinguished Research Professor and Head of the Department of Genetics at the … Continue reading 214: Bringing Back the Wild with Mike Arnold – A Hunter’s View of Global Conservation →

211: When Reintroductions Cause De-wilding with Alex Lees

A large pelican with distinctive dishevelled, cream-coloured plumage rests on weathered wooden logs. The bird displays its characteristic enormous pale yellow bill and bright orange eyes, with wispy feathers creating an almost comical 'bad hair day' appearance atop its head. The pelican's posture is relaxed as it sits amongst the timber, with its substantial body and wings folded naturally. The wooden logs show signs of age and weathering, creating interesting textures and lines that frame the bird. The background is softly blurred in dark tones, making the pale pelican stand out prominently in the composition.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mrrImy0I4FvZqKCVVb5zP Can species reintroductions harm biodiversity rather than help it? Why might bringing back wolves or lynx create more problems than solutions? Are we using reintroductions as a distraction from the real drivers of our nature crisis? In conversation with Alex Lees, Reader at Manchester Metropolitan University, we explore these questions and cut through popular … Continue reading 211: When Reintroductions Cause De-wilding with Alex Lees →

205: The Rewildlife with Jack Morley

This image shows a lush, verdant riverside scene with dense vegetation and mature trees. In the foreground, a small stream or river flows over rocks and stones, creating a natural waterway. The banks are thick with green foliage, including what appears to be large-leafed plants and various shrubs. Towering above are established trees with full canopies, creating a layered woodland environment. The scene has the characteristic emerald green appearance of Irish countryside, with the rich, saturated colours that come from frequent rainfall and mild temperatures. The lighting suggests either early morning or late afternoon, with soft natural light filtering through the tree canopy. The overall composition captures the wild, untamed beauty of Ireland's natural landscapes, where waterways wind through dense woodland and native vegetation flourishes.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Ct1xX7JA00qrYzHcQ0Dln Why are people so opposed to the term "rewilding" when it can inspire action for nature restoration? How can we communicate conservation issues without alienating the very people we need to reach? And what happens when a creative professional decides to transform four fields in Wicklow into a biodiversity haven while documenting every step … Continue reading 205: The Rewildlife with Jack Morley →

201: Rewild Your Land with Pádraic Fogarty

The image shows a misty rural landscape with a prominent oak tree in the foreground. The scene is bathed in fog, creating a dreamlike atmosphere as the mist hangs over the meadow. In the foreground, there's tall golden grass interspersed with some wildflowers or weeds. Behind this is a wire fence with wooden posts marking a boundary. The oak tree stands majestically in the middle ground, with a full, spreading canopy of green leaves. Around it are other smaller trees and shrubs, partially obscured by the fog. The background shows more trees fading into the dense fog, giving the whole scene a layered, atmospheric quality. The lighting suggests early morning, with the fog likely to burn off as the day progresses. The overall impression is one of peaceful countryside, possibly in Britain or Ireland, with the characteristic hedgerows and field boundaries visible through the mist.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/01cXWsODPTb1IyFJDITvJe What does it mean to 'rewild' a landscape in Ireland, one of Europe's most nature-poor countries? Can rewilding coexist with traditional farming practices, or must we choose between them? How do we balance the need for biodiversity recovery with the cultural and economic realities of rural communities? These questions are at the heart of … Continue reading 201: Rewild Your Land with Pádraic Fogarty →

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 →

191: Rewilding Myths and Misconceptions with Ian Parsons

Book cover of 'Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and Misunderstandings' edited by Ian Parsons. The cover features a nature photograph of golden grass or wheat stalks backlit by sunlight, creating a warm, ethereal atmosphere. The text is overlaid on a dark navy blue panel at the bottom of the image.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3EJuOQQZYq7IDewk89lFrQ?si=2e974059d8234521 What exactly is rewilding? Does it simply mean bringing back wolves, lynx and bears, or is there more to it? Can we balance food production and rural community needs with land left to natural processes and wildlife conservation? To answer these questions, I talk with Ian Parsons, editor of "Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and … Continue reading 191: Rewilding Myths and Misconceptions with Ian Parsons →

185: Farmers’ Perspective on Carnivore Reintroductions with Jonny Hanson

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zglYTuVc3e21c943KDYu0 Can large carnivore conservation coexist with livestock farming? In this episode, environmental social scientist Jonny Hanson and I discuss the complex issue of large carnivore reintroductions in Britain and Ireland. What are farmers' perspectives on sharing landscapes with predators like wolves and lynx? How can we balance conservation goals with the realities of modern … Continue reading 185: Farmers’ Perspective on Carnivore Reintroductions with Jonny Hanson →

177: Nature, Farming and Politics with Saoirse McHugh

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3gIrzcaKjqTNMXMVqWaBN1 Politics is a topic that is often avoided by many nature and science communicators. They don’t want emotions, controversy and often abuse related to expressing their political views or even commenting on such. I was one of them, but I’m gradually coming to the conclusion that it is the wrong tactic. As one of … Continue reading 177: Nature, Farming and Politics with Saoirse McHugh →

173: The Last Keeper with Tom Opre

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0N8epa2TaWtSa7vTf5h1nB I have been waiting for Tom Opre’s new film “The Last Keeper” since I learned in July 2022 that he and his team are working on it. Well, the wait was over for me at the beginning of February 2023, as I was the only person in Ireland to screen the film. The wait … Continue reading 173: The Last Keeper with Tom Opre →

171: Rewilding with Steve Carver

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jy7XUjBB0uXfATqC63IHa?si=5208c8bad3084769 It has been a considerable time since the last time we spoke about rewilding on the podcast. I feel that the discussion around the practice as well as understanding of the term has moved on in the last three to four years. So, I decided to get an update on the state of rewilding. … Continue reading 171: Rewilding with Steve Carver →