Searching for a Greener Room

In this episode of Searching for a Greener Room, Curly Steve sits down with Rai Lewis, co-founder of Plant One Cornwall, to explore the urgent need to restore Cornwall’s lost woodlands and how communities are turning hope into action.

Over 70% of England and Wales’ ancient woodlands have been lost or damaged, threatening biodiversity and vital habitats. Rai shares the story behind Plant One Cornwall and explains why planting the right trees in the right places matters more than numbers. We discuss genetic diversity, pressures on land use in Britain, and common misconceptions about woodland creation.

The conversation also touches on the challenge of balancing biodiversity with carbon targets and offers five practical tips anyone can start today, from collecting rainwater to reducing meat consumption.

If you’re curious about how woodland restoration connects to climate action and community resilience, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more inspiring stories or visit plantonecornwall.com to learn more.

Curly Steve and Ben Marshall discuss what it really takes to rebuild our lobster populations, why these creatures are vital to healthy seas, and the surprising challenges that come with keeping our oceans in balance. Ben, who once ran music venues before retraining as a marine biologist, now leads production at the National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall, where he works on the frontline of marine conservation.

In this episode, you’ll hear about the extraordinary life cycle of lobsters, the threats they face from pollution and overfishing, and the hatchery’s work to give these animals a fighting chance. Ben shares his journey from rock and roll to marine science, explains how fishermen and conservationists can work together, and reveals some mind-blowing facts about lobsters – including their unusual biology and potential longevity.

The conversation is packed with practical takeaways, from simple daily choices that support ocean health, to wider reflections on sustainability, food miles, and why small actions really matter. Whether you’re passionate about marine life, curious about conservation, or just love a good story of transformation, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

For more inspiring conversations, subscribe to Searching for a Greener Room on your favourite platform, and visit searchingforagreenerroom.com to explore the project.

The Chat

The Chat Tapping Into Ocean Superpowers

Childhood by the Sea

From Corporate World to Coastline

Creating a Blue Health Practice

One Hat: Living Blue Health

The Power of Water

Breath, Poetry, and Awe

Seals, Walruses, and Hope

Top Achievable Tips

Learn about the ocean – we understand what we are taught, we love what we know, and we protect what we love

Breathe – connect your inner world with the outer world, and question the ripple effect

Mini beach clean or street clean – do this as a “beautiful act” rather than a social media post, and make it a habit

Dial up your plant-based meals – choose seasonal foods and avoid ultra-processed substitutes

Question your investments – check what your pension or energy supplier is funding and make a switch if needed

Evidence

The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework – Research article by Stephen Kaplan

Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behaviour – Research article by Paul K. Piff

The Emotional and Rewarding Aspects of Poetry Reading – Research article by Eugen Wassiliwizky

Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do – Book by Wallace J. Nichols

mBraining: Using Your Multiple Brains to Do Cool Stuff – Book by Grant Soosalu and Marvin Oka

What One Thing Can We Do Today to Make a Better Tomorrow?

Contact Details

The Chat

The Chat

Sustainability on the Plate

Fish, Chips, Oil, and Packaging

Keeping it Light

Top Achievable Tips

Try a new fish species each month

Give the Big Five a miss (cod, haddock, prawns, salmon, tuna)

Try vegan alternatives such as tofu “fish”

Root to peel, head to tail: cut food waste by using the whole ingredient

Support local food producers and farm shops

Spend 10 minutes with your council’s waste guide to recycle better

Evidence

Harbour Lights Fish Buying Policy 2025

Cornwall Good Seafood Guide (Cornwall Wildlife Trust)

Chester Zoo Sustainable Palm Oil Statement

Consumer Fish Buying Behaviour Report (University of Exeter)

Sunday Times Feature on Harbour Lights

What One Thing Can We Do Today to Make a Better Tomorrow?

Contact Details

Farmer, Environmental Advocate, Lead Partner at the Cornwall Beaver Project, Co-Founder of the Beaver Trust

Chris shares the early days of Woodland Valley Farm, tracing his journey from traditional mixed farming through to environmental collapse under industrial daffodil growers. The devastation of the soil pushed him to rethink everything. He adopted organic farming, stopped ploughing, and started letting nature lead. His cows now graze in a rotational system that mimics wild herds, breaking parasite cycles and feeding dung beetles, which in turn feed endangered species like the greater horseshoe bat.

Repeated local floods and the absence of state funding led Chris to a simple question: what if beavers could do the job for free? Since introducing them in partnership with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the changes have been dramatic. Flood surges are delayed by hours, silt is held on land instead of washing into the sea, and standing water has made the farm more drought-resistant. Fish have returned in larger numbers and sizes, thanks to complex dam systems providing shelter and food. Even water quality has improved, with nitrates filtering out naturally through the beavers' wetlands.

From amphibians to bats, reptiles to mammals, the whole site is now alive with activity. Chris compares a stream without beavers to a smoky bonfire. Add beavers, and it’s like throwing petrol on it. Everything ignites. Algae supports insects, which feed birds, mammals, and fish. Polecats, grass snakes, otters, and 11 species of bats now call the site home.

Chris explains that the current five-acre fenced enclosure is useful for research and accessibility, but he's in favour of letting beavers roam freely across Cornwall. Beavers, once settled, tend to stay. The challenge lies not in their behaviour but in the bureaucracy. Licences from Natural England are expensive and complex, pushing the burden onto charities and landowners. Still, Chris is hopeful: more wild populations are thriving quietly across rivers like the Tamar and the Otter.

Apart from fencing and a wheelchair-accessible walkway, very little has been done by humans. The space is a living demonstration of what happens when you step back and let beavers do what they do best.

Chris gives a brilliant rundown of beaver anatomy and adaptations, from fat-storing tails and waterproof fur to self-sharpening teeth and underwater-chewing cheeks. Once nearly wiped out for their underfur, they are now making a quiet comeback.

Despite climate challenges and policy barriers, Chris remains hopeful. He points to the younger generation of farmers, the growing evidence base, and the sheer impact of letting beavers reshape the land.

Grow your own food, even in a pot

Install a dry composting toilet

Buy local and organic whenever you can

Actively support beaver reintroduction schemes

Visit Cornwall Beaver Project and spread the word

Three Against the Wilderness by Eric Collier

Eager by Ben Goldfarb

Cornwall Beaver Project research and case study

River Otter Beaver Trial (England’s first licensed wild release)

Farm Carbon Cutting Toolkit

Drive less. Walk more. Use public transport when you can.

Cornwall Beaver Project

The Guest: Kate Richards

The Chat

Cornish Roots and a Life Outdoors

A Lifelong Love of the Ocean

From Cornwall to the World and Back Again

The Spark Behind Radical Wax

Creating a Cleaner Alternative

Sustainability Meets Performance

The Role of Community and the Next Generation

Kate’s Top Achievable Tips

Get informed – You don’t need a lab, just a curious mind. Dig into what’s behind the brands you use.

Anything is better than nothing – Inspired by the 2 Minute Foundation, small steps can lead to real change.

Get outside – Even five minutes of fresh air helps reset your mind and body.

Get moving in any form – Forget the pressure, just find what you enjoy.

Think about your choices – Especially how they affect future generations. It all adds up.

Kate’s Evidence

The Cigarette Surfboard Film – A powerful surf-led campaign showing how community action can lead to real policy change.

The 89% Project – Most people want change but think they’re alone. This project shows we’re not.

BBC Short: Can Surfing Ever Be Sustainable? – Covers surf industry’s environmental impact, but tellingly omits wax.

Sustainable Stoke by Greg Borne – A deep dive into the challenges and ethics of surf sustainability.

Into the Blue Report (The Wave) – Research into blue health and how controlled surf environments can support wellbeing for all.

Contact Details

What One Thing Can We Do Today to Make a Better Tomorrow?

Chris Hines, a long-time environmental activist and co-founder of Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), discussed his journey from surfing in Cornwall to leading campaigns against sewage pollution. He highlighted SAS's early successes, including a 1991 lobby at the Houses of Parliament that led to a £2 million research fund. Hines also shared his work at the Eden Project, where he implemented sustainable practices like the Triple Bottom Line. He emphasised the importance of community, resilience, and informed consumerism, advocating for ethical consumerism and repairing and reusing items. Hines also mentioned the impact of misinformation and the need for better environmental legislation.

Curly Steve and Matt Hocking discuss the transformative power of creativity in addressing the climate crisis. Matt, founder of LEAP, a B Corp design studio, emphasises the importance of ecological and social responsibility in design. He shares his journey from early creative influences to leading at the Eden Project, where he implemented sustainable practices. Matt highlights the significance of B Corp certification, which he achieved in 2005, and the impact of his work on environmental standards. He also introduces the concept of "enoughism," advocating for balanced activism and practical steps like switching to ethical banks and adopting sustainable practices in daily life.

Curly Steve and Stephen Murphy discuss the impact of home energy use on the UK's carbon emissions, which account for 20%. Stephen, a low-carbon energy advisor, emphasises the importance of insulation, particularly loft and solid wall insulation, and the benefits of heat pumps over traditional heating systems. He highlights the role of Community Energy Plus in guiding homeowners through retrofitting processes, including grants and financing options like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Stephen also stresses the need for proper ventilation and moisture control during retrofits. The conversation concludes with practical tips for reducing energy use and the importance of starting the retrofitting journey.

Jane Gray, known as the Nettle Lady, shared her journey from Brighton to Cornwall, highlighting her transformation from a stay-at-home mother to a university graduate and nettle weaver.

She discussed her challenges, including a tumour diagnosis and the loss of her great friend, Howard.

Jane emphasised the health and sustainability benefits of nettles, including their use in textiles and teas. She founded Nettle Revolution, promoting natural fibres and sustainable practices.

Jane also mentioned her involvement in the Golden Zones project and her son's gratitude journaling app, which has positively impacted her outlook.

She advocates for using nettles for their numerous health and environmental benefits.