What is sustainable agriculture? Does regenerative farming mean focusing primarily on the soil biome? Is farming a leading cause of biodiversity loss? …and do we really have only 60 harvests left? To get the answers to those and other questions about farming and biodiversity, join me for a conversation with an agricultural management and policy specialist, an economist, a writer and an advisor, Stuart Meikle.

In this episode, Stuart shares with us the history of his education in farming and later his work in different farming environments across the world. Then we switch gears and talk about issues specific to Irish agriculture, which also has some relevance in the UK context. And so, we discuss the use of nitrogen fertilisers, soil health and whether the cuts to the size of the national cattle herd are inevitable. I also ask Stuart about his thoughts on the recently passed Nature Restoration Law.

After you listen to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter so as not to miss more farming episodes that are due in the coming weeks. Being a subscriber also gives you an excellent opportunity to send me your feedback and suggestions about past and future episodes. It’s as easy as replying to an email! Finally, newsletter subscribers are first to be informed about live events and can avail themselves of substantial discounts on exclusive content.

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This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.

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 University of Georgia and a lifelong hunter. Mike has published over 220 articles in outdoor magazines and hundreds of research papers on conservation biology. He's also the author of "Bringing Back the Wild: Stories from Revitalised Ecosystems Around the World and How Sport Hunting Supports Them". In our conversation, Mike tackles these difficult questions head-on, drawing from his experiences across the globe.

Mike explains how private hunting concessions in places like Mozambique have maintained stable rhino populations whilst nearby national parks have lost over 90% of their animals to poaching. He shares fascinating insights from his travels to locations as varied as Mexico's Yucatan, Scotland's hunting estates, and Sweden's forests - including his quest for a rare red-coloured West African Savannah buffalo. What emerges is a nuanced picture of conservation that refuses easy answers. Mike discusses the biological realities of managing herbivore populations, the importance of protecting entire ecosystems rather than just game species, and how economic benefits to landowners create incentives for habitat protection.

The conversation takes an honest look at challenges facing hunting and conservation. Mike and I discuss the troubling demographics of hunting organisations, where finding anyone under 50 is increasingly difficult. We explore the tensions between rewilding advocates and traditional land users, the concept of "fortress conservation", and whether current systems can survive long-term pressures from growing inequality. We argue that addressing poverty is essential for conservation success, and that getting young people engaged with nature, not TikTok and PlayStation, is crucial for the future. Whether you hunt or not, this episode offers valuable perspectives on one of conservation's most contentious subjects.

Buy Mike's Book: https://amzn.to/3WLkFe2

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The guest featured in this episode paid a nominal guesting fee. This fee did not directly influence the content of the episode. The guest had no editorial control, did not review the episode before publication, and did not influence the questions asked during the interview.

Is the resumption of commercial whaling inevitable? What hidden geopolitical forces are shaping international whale conservation efforts? Let's dive (pun not intended) into the complex world of whale conservation with marine scientist Dr Peter Corkeron. In our conversation, Peter uncovers the surprising connections between military bases, national security, and the fate of the world's largest mammals.

From the history of industrial whaling to the current state of whale populations, our guest provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing whale conservation today. He explains how some whale species are making an impressive comeback while others teeter on the brink of extinction. But the real story goes beyond biology! Learn how US military interests in Japan may be influencing whaling policies, and why anti-whaling efforts that seemed successful for decades may now be faltering.

As commercial whaling threatens to resume, we argue for a new approach to whale protection. We discuss the limitations of current conservation strategies, the complex motivations behind pro-whaling interests and why simply allowing whaling to "fizzle out" is no longer a viable option. Finally, Peter offers his perspective on potential solutions, addressing underlying geopolitical factors and advocating for policy changes to protect whale populations more effectively.

Further reading:

• Losing the Whales: How the Anti-Whaling Narrative Has Failed
• The Return of Whaling
• What US Militarism Has to Do With Japan's Quest to Slaughter More Whales

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Mentioned in this episode:

This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.

What are the ethical considerations when eradicating invasive species from an island? How do you develop wireless technology to monitor hundreds of traps across difficult terrain? Why do conservation projects like this cost so much more than people expect? These are some of the questions we explore in our conversation about the LIFE Raft project on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island.

Our guest is David Tosh, a Lecturer in Terrestrial Ecology at the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Ulster University. David led the ambitious effort to eradicate feral ferrets and brown rats from Rathlin to protect internationally important seabird colonies. The ferrets were introduced in the 1980s to control rabbits but instead devastated ground-nesting bird populations. David explains the complexities of targeting two species simultaneously using different methods, the development of wireless platforms to monitor traps remotely, and where the money actually goes in projects like this. Success came faster than expected, with Manx shearwaters breeding on Rathlin for the first time in decades, just months after the eradication was completed.

Beyond the technical achievements, our conversation explores the social dimensions that often determine whether conservation projects succeed or fail. David shares why the most important measure of success isn't just the return of seabirds, but whether the organisations involved can maintain trust and partnership with the islanders. We discuss the frustrations of five-year funding cycles for projects that require decades of commitment, and what it takes to ensure Rathlin remains ferret-free and rat-free for generations to come.

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Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organisation. The participants are expressing their personal opinions and perspectives.

Is rewilding truly mainstream now, or does it remain mired in misunderstanding? Can we finally agree on what the term actually means? And is it really an anti-rural movement that seeks to empty the countryside of people? These questions have dominated conservation debates for years, and our conversation today tackles them head-on with refreshing clarity. Our guest is Dr Steve Carver, Director of the Wildland Research Institute at the School of Geography, University of Leeds, and Professor of Rewilding and Wilderness Science.

In our conversation we explore how rewilding differs fundamentally from traditional conservation and regenerative farming. We examine the crucial role of scale, the problematic nature of fences in rewilding projects, and why the Oostvaardersplassen experiment in the Netherlands offers important lessons. Steve introduces his concept of 'nature-led versus human-led' approaches and explains why giving nature the space and time to determine its own trajectory remains the core principle. We also discuss the controversial question of whether projects like Knepp Estate truly qualify as rewilding or represent something else entirely.

Throughout our discussion, Steve emphasises that rewilding is deeply context-specific and requires genuine local community engagement to succeed. He unpacks the relationship between wilderness and rewilding, explores why species reintroductions aren't mandatory, and shares his measured optimism about lynx returning to the UK (though wolves remain a more distant prospect). We also examine how the European interpretation of rewilding has evolved differently from its North American origins, and what this means for future conservation efforts. This episode offers a balanced, scientifically grounded perspective on where rewilding stands today and where it might be heading.

Further reading:

• Guiding principles for rewilding

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Mentioned in this episode:

This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.

Can communities in Ireland and Britain learn to share landscapes with apex predators again after centuries of their absence? What does coexistence actually look like when people, livestock, and large carnivores occupy the same territory? How might wisdom from Himalayan communities inform debates about lynx reintroduction closer to home?

Our conversation takes us from the remote mountains of Nepal to potential lynx habitats in Scotland and Ireland. Jonny Hanson travelled to the Annapurna Conservation Area to document how local communities live alongside snow leopards, creating a short film ‘Snow Leopard Trail’ that inverts the traditional conservation narrative. Rather than Western experts advising the Global South, Jonny learns from Nepali colleagues who have never experienced the extinction of experience that defines our relationship with large carnivores. His Nepali colleagues, award-winning conservation biologist Rinzin Lama and pioneering snow leopard tourism guide Tashi R. Ghale are the true guardians of these landscapes, managing coexistence in a region where 100,000 people and 100,000 tourists share space with one of the world's most elusive predators.

The film and our discussion challenge romanticised notions of conservation whilst grappling with practical realities. We explore the tensions inherent in protected area management, the limitations of wildlife tourism as an economic solution, the importance of long-term funding for coexistence, and the need to bridge scientific rigour with the full spectrum of human experience, including spiritual and cultural values. The film premieres at festivals across Ireland and the UK in late 2025, offering a rare glimpse into what genuine coexistence requires.

Where to watch:

Queen's Film Theatre screening: ESRC Festival of Social Science in NI 2025

Selected for Clones Film Festival

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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 Misunderstandings", a new book that explores common assumptions and misconceptions about rewilding.

In our discussion, we address aspects of rewilding that are often misunderstood or misinterpreted, sometimes innocently and at other times deliberately or even maliciously. We explore three topics commonly associated with rewilding that often spark heated debate: species reintroductions, community engagement, and the choice between tree planting and natural regeneration. This discussion draws on the collective wisdom of renowned authors who contributed distinct chapters to the book.

In the end, Ian emphasises that rewilding shouldn't remain just another niche concept but needs to be integrated into how we live our lives, from urban planning to politics or even business practices. He challenges the notion that rewilding is anti-rural, arguing instead that it can revitalise rural economies and provide new opportunities for communities. The episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in conservation, land management and the future of our relationship with nature.

Buy Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and Misunderstandings

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Tommy’s Outdoors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk

Mentioned in this episode:

This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.

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 assumptions about rewilding.

Alex argues that many reintroduction projects might cause 'de-wilding' rather than rewilding, particularly when we rush to move species around instead of letting natural colonisation occur. He explains why the fossil record isn't a menu for potential reintroductions and how our current biodiversity crisis stems from recent habitat degradation, not from species lost centuries ago. We also discussed the paradox of illegal beaver releases that succeeded alongside expensive official trials. Finally, we talk about the fundamental difference between fixing historical wrongs versus exercising ecological force with species translocations.

The evidence shows that most of our wildlife losses happened in the 20th century due to habitat destruction, agricultural intensification and pollution, not from the absence of wolves, lynx, or other large mammals that were lost millennia ago. Alex makes a compelling case that while reintroductions have their place, they risk becoming a political smokescreen that allows governments to avoid tackling the real causes of biodiversity collapse. Our focus should be on habitat restoration, reducing invasive species, and creating connectivity for natural recolonisation rather than expensive translocation programmes.

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Sika (cervus nippon) is a mid-sized deer that was introduced to Ireland in the 1860s to the Powerscourt Estate. Soon after that, it started spreading across Ireland. Today, the main concentrations of sika are in Kerry, Wicklow, Tyrone and Fermanagh. More recently, it has also been found in Waterford, Galway, Limerick, and Wexford. The National Biodiversity Data Centre in Ireland lists sika as an invasive species. Despite that, it’s afforded protection under the Wildlife Act. It is prized by hunters as a game species and a source of excellent quality venison on the one hand, and hated by foresters and environmentalists for the damage to forestry and biodiversity on the other.

Sika is present on the entire European continent and, although not as widespread as in Ireland, it is also causing similar problems. This is reflected in the recent move by the European Commission to launch consultations to put sika on the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) list across the Union. This poses the obvious question: what does it mean for the Irish population of sika if the EC makes such a decision? Will or should it be allowed continuous protection with open and closed hunting seasons? Or should it be reduced to the status of vermin and be eradicated across the country? 

To discuss the potential future of sika deer in Ireland and present a whole spectrum of views about this species, and invasive species more generally, I spoke with four expert guests presenting different views on the subject. By listening to this episode you will hear from Professor Jaimie T.A. Dick who specialises in Invasion Ecology, Eoghan Daltun an award-winning author who has spent last 15 years regenerating an Irish Atlantic rainforest, Damien Hannigan a Government Appointee to the Irish Deer Management Forum and Public Relations Officer at the Irish Deer Commission, and Professor of Wildlife Restoration Ecology, Adam T. Ford.

Sika Deer in Ireland: Invasive Status and Its Impact - A Three-Episode Exclusive

Access here: https://conservationlens.com/products/sika-deer-ias

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Mentioned in this episode:

This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.

Why are elephants dying slow deaths from starvation in African parks? Can contraceptives really solve wildlife overpopulation in fenced reserves? What happens when international animal rights organisations influence conservation decisions from thousands of miles away? These are the uncomfortable questions at the heart of one of conservation's most contentious debates.

Ryan Davy spent 30 years working in African conservation, starting as a 16-year-old volunteer in KwaZulu-Natal's remote game reserves. From those early days confronting poachers and negotiating with local communities, he witnessed firsthand how conservation policies play out on the ground. Now, as a wildlife filmmaker who has worked for National Geographic and Discovery, Ryan brings a unique perspective to the elephant culling debate through his upcoming documentary "The Culling Conundrum." His journey from animal rights supporter to someone advocating for population control reflects the complexity many conservationists face when confronted with ecological realities.

Our conversation explores the practical impossibilities of alternative solutions to overpopulation. Ryan walks through a hypothetical game where listeners manage their own 75,000-hectare reserve, facing the stark choice between letting animals starve or making difficult management decisions. We examine the failed elephant translocation in Malawi, where 12 people died and 80 elephants went missing after an international organisation moved 262 elephants into unsuitable habitat. The discussion also covers the influence of well-funded animal rights campaigns on conservation policy, the disconnect between international activism and local realities, and the economic pressures facing private game reserves. Ryan argues for finding common ground between opposing camps, emphasising that sustainable conservation requires honest dialogue about uncomfortable topics rather than ideology-driven positions.

Further reading:

• The Culling Conundrum | Official Teaser
• Clockwork Orange
• Ryan's YouTube Channel

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