Nature's Architects

This week it's a doubleheader, as we chat with the Principal Advisor on Net Gain to Natural England and champion of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) plus a good friend and expert on BNG. So welcome to Nick White of Natural England and Paul Whitby of The Ecology Co-op. With the full mandating of BNG on 12th February 2024 timing is everything, so if you want to learn more about BNG and the impact it might have on your work stay tuned.We’re going to be looking at biodiversity net gain in detail and h...

We all know the impact of green space has been on our mental health particularly in the last 15 months and how much we appreciate it due to the pandemic, but how important is it to our actual health and psychology! Dr Liz Sparkes personal friend and expert in heart-based meditation and compassion practices, a health and spiritual coach. She is a real-life Doctor with PhD is in pain psychology and has extensively explored ways to change the experience of pain on world meditation da...

Ben and I met at Myerscough College in 2000 and since studying our careers have gone in two different directions but what we have both achieved is both managing successful companies while doing what we love, and that is working with trees! We cover so many topics in such a short amount of time so I hope you all enjoy this one. I learnt a lot. So grab a drink and enjoy listening to Ben Southall. Ben Southall is the director of TreeTech Arboricultural Services and one of the best co...

This week we chat with my old line manager and now the Acting Assistant Director of Planning at Birmingham City Council, a true brummie, born and raised in Birmingham and now taking the City to 2040 with its new plan. Simon is a a real character and enthusiast within the urban design world and someone who truly has a passion for promoting a completely holistic approach to urban design and place making, which is designed and developed to provide many multifunctional purposes. So welcome to Sim...

This week we have a real collaborative podcast and the reason why this series was developed. I'm really pleased to have managed to get 30 minutes of Sally Hayns time. She is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management and is really passionate about the natural environment. We’re going to be looking at, how we as professionals can actively promote green infrastructure and the built environment, its importance to how we live, wor...

This week we have a real collaborative podcast and the reason why this series was developed. I'm really pleased to have managed to get 30 minutes of Dr Wei Yang's time. She is the current President of the Royal Town Planning Institute and is really passionate about the natural environment and bringing her experience of garden towns and cities into everyday planning. We’re going to be looking at, how we as professionals can actively promote green infrastructure and the built environment, ...

This week its a double header, as we chat with the Principal Advisor on Net Gain to Natural England and champion of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and our very own in-house Senior Ecologist and expert on BNG. So welcome to Nick White of Natural England and Matt Wall of Wharton Natural Infrastructure Consultants.We’re going to be looking at biodiversity net gain in detail and how it can be implemented effectively on individual development sites of all scales and then what the joined up approach i...

Well the shoe's on the other foot this time and it's my turn to talk to the tree lady. I have personally watched and admired the work of Sharon Durdant-Hollamby for many years, and I love listening to her podcast Tree Lady Talks. She has a knack of saying it how it is and always getting the right message across. Her best one liner "I don't wear tweed or have a beard".Sharon does some amazing work with the NHS and grant schemes to deliver impacting schemes for residents, amongst so many ...

Now this is a great chat, with Glampitect Director Ali Young. This was a chat of real interest to us being keen campers and general outdoor living. With experience in setting up sites for himself and for Glampitect's clients, Ali is able to provide some great insight into the pros and cons of being a glamping site owner and the lessons he's learned along the way.We try to cover a wide topic base including:how to find the right site;what needs to be considered;planning policy;the im...

This week we chat to Jonathan Cocking Director of JCA and President of the European Arboricultural Council (EAC). This is part 2 and specifically looking at the EAC and Jonathan's planning for JCA.This discussion goes in a great direction and if you are interested in arboriculture in Europe and the European Treeworker Certificate, or simply want to understand more about business management, this is the podcast for you. Clearly arboriculture and running businesses is so intertwined in his life...