The naturethrive podcast

In this episode Jonathan talks to Louisa Harris, founder of Curiously Liminal and a coach for change-makers in sustainability. Louisa shares her unique career journey in sustainability, from her beginnings influenced by climate activism to her roles in organisations like Grant Thornton. She discusses the current state and transitions within sustainability and ESG, emphasising the importance of integrating emotional connections with data-driven decisions. Louisa also highlights her current projects and the significant role of nature in sustainability. This episode is particularly insightful for those interested in making meaningful changes in the sustainability sector.

00:00 Introduction to the Nature Thrive Podcast
00:23 Meet Louisa Harris: A Year of Experimentation
01:18 The State of Sustainability in 2025
01:33 Career Paths in Sustainability
04:46 Louisa's Journey into Sustainability
07:17 Early Career and Carbon Auditing
08:55 Building Sustainability at Grant Thornton
10:09 Leadership and Systems Change
11:30 Pandemic and Teaching at CISL
11:52 Brand Work and Sustainability
21:11 The Role of Nature in Sustainability
24:45 Rethinking Organizational Boundaries
25:28 The Joy of Rewilding
25:44 Concerns About the New Nature Language
27:28 Quantifying Nature and Biodiversity
29:49 Coaching and Nature's Principles
32:02 Innovations in Service Design
34:00 Experiments with Sustainable Compost
39:04 Personal Reflections on Nature
42:53 Profound Experiences in Nature
45:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Alister, the executive director of the Global Rewilding Alliance, to explore his path to leadership in the rewilding movement. Alister shares his background, from growing up in rural Ireland to his long career in environmental advocacy and coaching. They discuss the core principles of rewilding, the impact of reintroducing animals on ecological restoration, and the global reach and influence of the Global Rewilding Alliance. Alistair also shares personal anecdotes about his early experiences in nature, challenges faced, and the transformative moments that shaped his connection to the environment. This engaging conversation delves deep into the science, challenges, and inspiring success stories of rewilding efforts around the world.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:33 Alister's Journey to the Global Rewilding Alliance

01:27 Early Influences and Epiphanies

04:02 Instinctive Rewilding and Career Path

06:42 Defining Rewilding

13:12 Global Rewilding Efforts and Success Stories

18:46 Rewilding's Impact on Employment and Communities

20:59 The Innate Connection to Nature

22:31 Maintaining Positive Momentum in Environmental Communication

22:47 The Power of Positive Storytelling in Rewilding

25:02 The Impact of News Consumption on Mental Health

27:59 Introduction to the Global Rewilding Alliance

30:17 The Three Pillars of the Global Rewilding Alliance

35:21 First, Best, and Worst Experiences in Nature

43:26 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

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In this episode we delve into the fascinating world of gardens and tree plantations with George Hillier, Chair of the Hillier Garden Centres Group. This episode highlights the history of Hillier Garden Centres, founded in 1864, and their innovative approach to growing mature and semi-mature trees. George shares insights on the importance of gardening for connecting with nature, the evolution of garden spaces, and their commitment to climate resilience. Additionally, the 'Uncover Recover' project, which aims to revert hard-standing spaces back to nature, is discussed, along with the significance of holding a Royal Warrant. Join us for an enriching conversation as George also recounts his personal 'first, best, and worst' experiences in nature.

00:00 Welcome to the Nature Thrive Podcast
00:49 The Role of Garden Centers in Connecting with Nature
03:46 History and Evolution of Hillier Garden Centers
07:40 The Importance of British Grown Trees
08:58 Adapting to Climate Change
12:24 The Garden Center Experience
19:59 Encouraging Biodiversity in Gardens
22:21 Royal Warrant and Sustainability
24:41 Introduction to the Uncover Recover Project
25:26 The Impact of Hard Standing on Biodiversity
27:23 The Uncover Recover Initiative Explained
30:18 Psychological and Business Benefits of Uncover Recover
31:50 Challenges and Adaptability of the Project
34:54 Personal Reflections on Nature
35:25 George Hillier's Early Experiences in Nature
37:51 The Legacy of Plant Hunting
42:58 Memorable Moments in Nature
46:16 Conclusion and Call to Action

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This episode is a conversation with Joe Stanley, a prominent figure in the UK agricultural community. Joe shares insights from his experience as a farmer and influencer in the agricultural space. We discuss the significant challenges faced by farmers today, including climate change, fair compensation, and sustainable practices. The episode also delves into the importance of water, soil health, and the economic pressures on the farming industry. Joe provides an in-depth look at the Allerton Project, a working farm demonstrating sustainable farming practices. Tune in for a rich conversation on building resilient farming businesses and the critical role of farmers in our society.

00:00 Introduction to the Nature Thrive Podcast
00:30 Meet Joe Stanley: The Farming Influencer
01:30 Challenges in Modern Farming
03:46 The Allerton Project: Sustainable Farming
12:41 Water: The Next Big Environmental Challenge
17:58 Economic Realities of Farming
21:37 The True Cost of Food Waste
22:01 Economic Pressures on Food Prices
22:43 Farmers' Financial Struggles
23:56 Diversifying Farm Income
27:55 Biodiversity Net Gain: A Potential Solution?
32:20 Best and Worst Experiences in Nature
35:50 Reflecting on Agricultural Challenges
38:44 Closing Thoughts and Key Statistics

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This episode discuss the evolving role of biodiversity in the UK housing sector. This insightful episode explores the impact of policy changes, such as biodiversity net gain (BNG), on the UK's largest housebuilder, Bellway Homes. Neil shares his expertise on integrating biodiversity into housing projects, the challenges and opportunities faced by developers, and the importance of collaboration between the commercial and conservation communities. Tune in for a compelling conversation that highlights how structured and deliverable policies can make a tangible difference to the environment.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:28 Meet Neil Beamsley: Head of Biodiversity at Beltway Homes
00:59 The Importance of Biodiversity in Housing Development
01:21 Challenges and Opportunities in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
02:22 Technical Challenges and Podcast Setup
03:05 Neil Beamsley's Career Path
04:56 Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
08:51 Legislation and Local Authority Roles in Biodiversity
18:47 Onsite vs. Offsite Biodiversity Strategies
22:38 The Role of Conservation Charities and Developers
29:36 Personal Experiences and Reflections on Nature
35:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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This episode welcomes Steve Malkin, founder and CEO of Planet Mark, a leading sustainability and net-zero certification company. Having spent six years with Planet Mark, Jonathan brings an insider's perspective on their mission to help organizations measure and reduce their carbon footprints and transition to net zero.

This episode delves into how Planet Mark makes climate action accessible and commercially viable for businesses. They discuss the critical role of a well-planned and costed net-zero strategy and how Planet Mark fosters a supportive community for companies committed to climate action. The conversation also explores the vital connection between climate and nature, highlighting nature's role in providing solutions and making sustainability more tangible.

Steve Malkin shares his inspiring vision for Planet Mark, which he founded on the belief that businesses can lead the charge toward a low and net-zero future. His positive and business-focused approach to sustainability offers a refreshing contrast to traditional "gloom and doom" narratives. The podcast also touches on how Planet Mark incorporates nature into its certification, creating direct connections with organizations like the Eden Project and Cool Earth.

The episode was recorded outdoors in sunny Kent, immersing listeners in the sounds of nature, including birdsong, enhancing the podcast's theme.

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This episode discusses biodiversity net gain (BNG) with Claire Linley, Planning Director, and Elsie Hargate, Sustainability Manager at Strata Homes, a leading UK housebuilder. They explore Strata's commitment to sustainability, evidenced by their "homes that make the heart beat faster" ethos and their proactive nature and biodiversity policy.

The conversation delves into the opportunities and challenges of BNG, particularly the complexities of its implementation. Claire and Elsie discuss the differing impacts on brownfield versus greenfield sites and the inconsistencies in application by local authorities. They highlight the benefits of BNG in creating a more level playing field for developers committed to environmental considerations, while also pointing out the ongoing "teething problems" with its delivery mechanisms.

A key topic is the "on-site versus off-site" debate regarding BNG credits. Claire explains the rationale for off-site solutions when they offer greater ecological benefit, despite current regulations sometimes disincentivizing this. Elsie emphasizes the importance of both approaches, especially when on-site efforts can create valuable wildlife corridors. They also touch on the long-term management of BNG areas and how Strata Homes engages residents through initiatives like hedgehog highway leaflets to foster a connection with nature on their developments.

Jonathan also shares a quote from "Wild Service: Why Nature Needs Us" by Nick Hayes and John Moses, emphasizing nature's role in human well-being and community. He also gives a shout-out to Spotify Premium for its growing collection of nature-themed audiobooks.

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This episode of the naturethrive Podcast we dive into the evolving landscape of sustainability and nature reporting with our insightful guest, Marina Bradford. Founder of the consultancy Bemari, Marina brings a wealth of experience in helping organisations understand and address their environmental impact. We explore whether the increasing focus on nature by businesses is a passing trend or a fundamental shift, and how it interlinks with climate action. Marina shares her fascinating journey into this field, from her background in audit and risk management to establishing her own consultancies. We discuss the changing cultural attitudes towards sustainability across different global regions and within corporate environments, examining how these perspectives influence action. We also unpack the evolution of language in the sustainability space, from CSR to ESG and beyond, and demystify the crucial concept of double materiality. Finally, we delve into why nature and biodiversity are gaining prominence and how we can make these vital conversations more accessible to a wider audience.

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This episode features Andrew, CEO of BNGX, explaining how their digital platform simplifies Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for developers and landowners. Discover how BNG policy aims to reverse nature decline and how BNGX streamlines the process of buying and selling registered offsite biodiversity units, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and trust in this emerging market. Andrew also shares a nostalgic early memory of nature.

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This episode of the naturethrive Podcast features a fascinating conversation with Benjamin Tompkins from Hive Tracks, a nature tech company revolutionising biodiversity data collection. They delve into the meaning of "ground truth" data and how Hive Tracks makes it easy for anyone, from beekeepers to community members, to collect real-time, continuous information on plant and pollinator species. Benjamin shares his journey into the nature tech space and explains Hive Tracks' innovative approach, including their app that gamifies data collection and their work with industries like development and agriculture to utilise this data for biodiversity net gain and genuine nature recovery, ultimately aiming to create a scalable and impactful understanding of our biodiversity and how to help it to recover.

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