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Following the incredible response to our launch, we are back with the second episode of our Down in Dorset mini-series! This month, I’m joined once again by my guest co-host, local farmer Tim Gelfs, for a deep dive into the wild side of the county.

In partnership with Nature Recovery Dorset, we are exploring the delicate balance between productive agriculture and thriving wildlife. From the "Big Five" mammals roaming our fields to the shifting tides of government farming policy, this episode gets to the heart of how Dorset is leading the way in conservation.

In This Episode: The Big Five & The New Frontier of Farming

We are joined by two fantastic guests who represent the two halves of the nature recovery puzzle:

• The Ecologist’s Lens: Ian Alexander, an ecologist with over 40 years of experience (Natural England, Dorset Wildlife Trust), shares his passion for species reintroduction—specifically his 20-year journey to bring Beavers back to our waterways.
• The Farmer’s Perspective: James Cousins, a fifth-generation farmer at Tarrant Rawston, manages a 2,000-acre mixed farm. James gives us a candid look at life on a working farm, from the joy of seeing Brown Hares box in the spring to the practical realities of managing deer populations.

Key Discussion Points:

• Dorset’s "Big Five": We talk through the status of Deer, Badgers, Foxes, Beavers, and Otters. Ian explains why the Sika deer is so abundant in Purbeck and why the tiny Muntjac is the new kid on the block.
• The Deer Management Debate: Why is culling necessary? James explains how deer management supports his local butchery with sustainable venison, while Ian discusses the impact of overpopulation on woodland regeneration.
• The Post-War Legacy: A look back at how the drive for food security after WWII shaped our landscape, and why we are now shifting toward "public money for public good."
• Farmer Cluster Groups: James highlights the power of "cluster groups"—where local farmers collaborate on carbon capture, soil health, and bird identification to create wildlife corridors across the county.
• Nature Recovery Success Stories: We hear from Tom Monroe (National Landscapes) and Imogen Davenport (Dorset Wildlife Trust) on how collaboration in areas like the Isle of Purbeck is successfully reversing decades of nature decline.

Down in Dorset episodes are available on the last Friday of every month. 

Which of Dorset’s "Big Five" is your favourite to spot in the wild? We’d love to hear your stories! Reach out at [email protected] or find us on social media.

This podcast mini-series has been produced with help from Nature Recovery Dorset, a Dorset Council led initiative helping communities, landowners and organisations work together to restore nature across Dorset. Any views or opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and should not be taken as representing Dorset Council.

Website: www.second-nature.co.uk

Email us: [email protected]

Social media: @second_natureuk

Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac