July 08, 2025

205: The Rewildlife with Jack Morley

1 hour 20 minutes

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 for others to follow?

In this outdoor episode, we sit down with Jack Morley in his rewilding project in Wicklow to explore these questions and more. Jack brings a fresh perspective to nature communication, drawing on his background in advertising and film to reach audiences beyond the usual conservation choir. He's passionate about positive messaging, believing that doom and gloom narratives only preach to the converted whilst switching off those who could become tomorrow's nature champions. His approach focuses on inspiration rather than education, using enthusiasm and accessible language to engage people who might not even realise they care about Irish wildlife.

Jack's land showcases remarkable habitat diversity across just five acres - from native woodland plantations using both traditional and Miyawaki methods, to wildflower meadows that proved more challenging than expected. He's creating wetlands, managing microhabitats with log piles and standing deadwood, and dealing with the realities of river water quality changes. The conversation reveals the practical challenges of habitat creation, from Yorkshire fog domination in meadows to the ongoing debate about active management versus natural regeneration. Jack's documentation of "Ireland's Nature Heroes" on social media highlights the groundswell of conservation work happening across the country, work that often goes unnoticed but deserves celebration.