Ecology Academy Podcast

Having discovered a passion and fascination for the world of dogs and detection in her previous role as a dog handler and trainer at a leading international detection dog company, Rachael Flavell embarked on a new journey to focus primarily on conservation and the use of dogs to assist in ecological surveys and to help fight wildlife crime. Paws For Conservation was founded by Rachael in June 2020.

Paws For Conservation now has multiple, highly experienced fully trained conservation dogs, all of which have been hugely successful within the field having participated in hundreds of surveys throughout the UK. Listen to her incredible story in talking to Richard Dodd.

Recorded 26 November 2021

Contact Rachel directly from her website, https://pawsforconservation.co.uk/ 

Joshua is a pioneering young ecologist and science communicator with a background in botany & conservation, and a 1st class degree in BSc Ecology. Now venturing into the world of entertainment and running his own YouTube channel, in addition to appearing on well-known shows such as BBC Springwatch, the ONE Show, BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News, and Atlas Obscura, Joshua Styles is someone every aspiring ecologist should be following.

Born in Cornwall in 2005, fellow B Corp, Green & Blue, are leading the way in designing beautiful, stylish products, that help wildlife.

Here we talk to Faye Clifton, Director, about her passion for this innovative company and how to plan, build and manage beautiful housing and gardens that support the environment.

Recorded 24 November 2021

Richard Dodd talks to two members of the Wildwood team, Ian Weller and David Withington, whom have both completely changed to a new career in ecology.  They discuss their respective journeys, driving forces and experience to date.   

Richard interviews Tom Butterworth, who is the Technical Director for Biodiversity, leading the work on Biodiversity Net Gain for WSP, a leading global environmental engineering company.

Sally Hayns, Chief Executive at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) talks about why this professional body was established, what it has achieved over the last 30 years and why Sally has no plans to step down anytime soon.

Our conversation includes their career framework document, mentor scheme, protecting the title of 'ecologist' and diversity and inclusion.

Recorded on 01 September 2021 by Richard Dodd.

During this 'fireside chat' with Ivi Szaboova, Principal Ecologist at Wildwood Ecology, we discuss the role of a senior member of the ecology team - skills, qualities, traits and behaviours, as well as how Ivi and her team have coped since March 2020 when Covid-19 sent us into the first lockdown.

Ivi's journey to ecology is both inspiration and inspiring. Her takeaway messages include; finding a mentor and being a mentor to others, not compromising on your own values and starting your career as a generalist and specialise later once you have found your 'calling'.

Interviewed by Richard Dodd on 02 September 2021, the podcast also includes the hybrid work place, exploitation of early career ecologists and how to take time off.

Connect with Ivi via her LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/IviSzaboovaLinkedIn 

MKA Ecology works in many areas, from large scale restoration and rewilding projects to working with local councils on their site management. Their main work is at the interface of development and sustainability, undertaking a range of projects and always under the mantra that 'every site matters'. 

Recorded 10 May 2021.

Podcast interview with Rob Oates, Director and El Capitan of Arbtech Ecological and Arboricultural Consultancy.

Website: https://arbtech.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertoatesdotcom/ 

Recorded 02 October, 2020.

Interview with Julia Baker, Biodiversity Technical Specialist at Balfour Beatty; one of the major infrastructure contractors in the UK.

Julia has designed and delivered Biodiversity Net Gain for a variety of projects including large and small scale, rural and urban. Julia is the leading author of the UK’s Good Practice Principles on Biodiversity Net Gain and runs professional training on Biodiversity metrics. She is also a Visiting Researcher at the University of Oxford.