Tag: wildlife conservation

208: Encounters with Corvids – Fionn Ó Marcaigh

This image shows the cover of a book titled "Encounters with Corvids" by Fionn Ó Marcaigh, illustrated by Aga Grandowicz. The cover features a striking black corvid (likely a crow or raven) in flight against a white background, with its wings spread wide and red-orange colouring visible on parts of its head and beak. The bird is captured mid-flight, creating a dramatic and dynamic composition. The title text is arranged vertically along the right side in large, bold black lettering, with the author's name at the top and illustrator's credit at the bottom. A small publisher's logo for "World Publishing" appears in the bottom left corner. The overall design is clean and minimalist, allowing the beautiful illustration of the corvid to be the focal point of the cover.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Pht7RD2TdqzZEnx0n8EYz Are corvids overabundant pests or are they simply survivors in landscapes we've shaped? Why do these birds seem to look at us as intently as we look at them? What can ravens teach us about intelligence that might humble our sophisticated intelligence tests? This episode explores the world of corvids, from the familiar rooks … Continue reading 208: Encounters with Corvids – Fionn Ó Marcaigh →

206: The Real Yellowstone

A group of five ranch hands on horseback gathered near a wooden fence in a pastoral setting. The riders, wearing traditional cowboy hats and work clothing, are mounted on brown and chestnut horses in what appears to be a working ranch environment. The scene is set against a backdrop of golden, dried grassland with a rustic wooden post-and-rail fence visible in the foreground. The lighting suggests either early morning or late afternoon, creating a warm, atmospheric quality typical of ranch life in rural countryside.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6PRw63zHrbry4RaVX0UGc1 Why is the farming community so opposed to the American Prairie Foundation's rewilding vision? Can ranchers and conservationists find common ground when grizzly bears are eating cattle and wolves are reducing elk herds? What happens when well-meaning conservation efforts clash with rural communities who've worked the land for generations? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MBo2Xrh1j4 To explore these contentious … Continue reading 206: The Real Yellowstone →

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 →

202: Uncommon Ground with Patrick Galbraith

The image shows a book cover for "Uncommon Ground" by Patrick Galbraith. The cover features an orange torn paper effect against a pastoral English countryside background with green fields, trees, and a small river or pond. A cow grazes in the foreground, and there's a wooden fence visible. The subtitle reads "Rethinking our relationship with the countryside" and includes a quote at the bottom from Richard Smyth describing it as "Intelligent and provocative, a raking survey of England."

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ME1jr6gLkgEAYzqvATDKZ Are we being locked out of the countryside, or is the narrative around land access more complex than it seems? How can we navigate the competing demands of farmers, conservationists, and recreational users? In Patrick's new book "Uncommon Ground: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Countryside", he tackles the contentious topic of land access in … Continue reading 202: Uncommon Ground with Patrick Galbraith →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Conservation Grazing: Balancing Food Production and Biodiversity

Elise Sutton on the left, a smiling woman in outdoor attire with a colourful knit hat, standing next to a large, shaggy-coated Highland cow in a grassy field. Elise is resting her hand on the cow's back. The cow, with impressive curved horns, stands prominently in the centre. The backdrop shows bare trees and a clear sky, suggesting a crisp autumn or winter day on a farm or rural setting.

Conservation grazing is an increasingly popular approach to land management that's catching on across the UK. It's a method that uses livestock to meet conservation objectives, primarily by removing dominant vegetation to allow threatened species of plants, birds and insects to thrive. This technique is becoming more common on nature reserves throughout the country, with … Continue reading Conservation Grazing: Balancing Food Production and Biodiversity →

187: Soil, Dung Beetles, and Longhorn Beef with Elise Sutton

English Longhorn cattle in a grassy field. On the left, a cow with large curved horns stands prominently, its brown and white patched coat visible. To the right, another cow with a lighter coat and yellow ear tag looks directly at the camera. Behind them, two more cattle can be seen grazing. The background shows a clear blue sky and autumn trees, creating a pastoral countryside scene.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2AcYu75pxYHjEFOFXXr0Of Can farming and conservation coexist harmoniously? How can farmers produce high-quality food while protecting biodiversity? Elise Sutton, a passionate conservationist and livestock manager at Cherry Lodge Farm, shares her experience in balancing food production with nature conservation. Elise talks about conservation grazing using English Longhorn cattle on a 650-acre farm that includes a Site … Continue reading 187: Soil, Dung Beetles, and Longhorn Beef with Elise Sutton →