The naturethrive podcast

Native partners with indigenous guardians to protect the planet, offering individuals and companies the opportunity to protect or restore nature one "native square" (three meters squared) at a time. They provide a map to visualize protected squares and a dashboard to track the impact on carbon, biodiversity, and the community.

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In this episode with speak to Nigel Riddle of Wrangcombe Farm in Somerset.

The conversation delves into the diverse habitats at Wrangcombe Farm, which includes open heathland (a SSSI site), improved open grassland, steep-sided wooded streams called "goyles," marshy and dry fields, and even an area with alkaline soil from a former scramble track. Nigel emphasises the existing biodiversity of the site, describing it as "half wilded." He highlights the lack of public footpaths, contributing to a feeling of wilderness and increased wildlife, including nightjars and curlews on the top heathland.

They also discuss naturethrive's first Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) project across the fields to the east of the site.

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In this episode we speak to Molly Biddell of Knepp Estate in Sussex.

Molly discusses Knepp's journey from a struggling conventional farm to a thriving nature restoration site, driven by the principles of rewilding and the introduction of free-roaming herbivores. She explains her role in exploring the ecosystem services provided by the land and developing business cases for nature restoration. 

The conversation covers the differences between rewilding and managed habitat restoration, the potential of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as a policy to fund nature recovery, and the challenges and opportunities facing farmers in a changing agricultural landscape. 

Molly also shares personal anecdotes about her connection to nature, including childhood tree-climbing adventures and a challenging but ultimately rewarding cycling experience. 

The episode highlights the importance of making nature accessible, the need to integrate nature restoration into economic models, and the hopeful potential for symbiotic relationships between humans and the natural world.

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In this episode we speak to Tom Church and Hazel Towler of Scald End Farm in Bedfordshire. 

They discuss the challenges and opportunities facing farmers today, particularly regarding nature restoration and diversification.

Tom and Hazel share their personal stories of getting into farming and the farm's transition from arable to organic livestock farming. They explain the process and benefits of converting to pasture, including increased biodiversity and the return of farmland birds. They also delve into the complexities of environmental subsidy schemes, highlighting their importance for farm resilience while also expressing concerns about their long-term security.

The conversation explores the couple's entrepreneurial approach to diversifying income streams, including rental cottages and a farm shop (now transitioning to commercial let), emphasizing the need for financial stability in the face of fluctuating market prices and disease outbreaks. They discuss the farming community's varying attitudes towards diversification and environmental schemes, acknowledging the skepticism of some while recognizing the growing openness of younger generations. The challenges of navigating land options and the impact of national infrastructure projects on farmland are also addressed.

The episode touches on the controversial topic of reintroducing apex predators like lynx and wolves, with Tom expressing a nuanced view, acknowledging potential benefits while also considering the risks to livestock and other wildlife. The discussion also covers the reintroduction of beavers and the potential ecological and societal impacts.

Finally, Tom and Hazel share their "first, best, worst" nature experiences. Hazel recounts childhood memories of playing in a bluebell wood, while Tom describes a cherished recent memory of a campfire gathering with his son and other children in a small woodland (a "spinny"). Hazel's "worst" experience highlights the challenges of managing wet fields, particularly their impact on ground-nesting birds, and the delicate balance of nature. The podcast concludes with a reflection on the importance of farmers as key stakeholders in nature restoration and the mission to make such efforts profitable for all.

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In this episode we speak to Andrew Griffiths, Director of Policy and Partnerships at Planetmark, a sustainability and net-zero certification scheme. 

The discussion revolves around the intrinsic connection between nature and climate, emphasizing that solving one crisis is impossible without addressing the other. Griffiths explains Planetmark's role in helping organizations measure and reduce carbon emissions, highlighting the challenges of decarbonization and the importance of policy and partnerships in driving sustainability.

We explore the parallels between climate action and nature conservation, stressing that biodiversity collapse poses an existential threat alongside climate change. Andrew shares examples of how ecosystems, like the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone, demonstrate the interconnectedness of nature. He also discusses the importance of protecting natural carbon sinks, such as oceans and rainforests, and the risks of reaching tipping points that could lead to irreversible damage.

The episode concludes with Andrew sharing personal experiences in nature, including a memorable sunset in New Zealand and the sobering impact of witnessing coral bleaching and plastic pollution during a dive. These stories underscore the fragility of natural systems and the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Overall, the episode blends policy insights, environmental science, and personal anecdotes to highlight the critical interplay between climate action and nature preservation.

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In this episode we speak with Richard, an environmental lawyer at Freeths LLP, about environmental legislation and in particular Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the UK. Richard discusses the legal framework of BNG, its potential to drive nature recovery, and the challenges and opportunities associated with its implementation. He also shares personal anecdotes about his experiences with nature, from childhood memories in the Malaysian rainforest to a challenging hiking expedition.

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In this episode we speak with Simon, an Advisor at the UK Green Building Council, about Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the role of nature in the built environment. Simon discusses his work on decarbonizing buildings, the challenges and opportunities of BNG, and shares his personal experiences with nature, from childhood memories to awe-inspiring encounters in the Norwegian wilderness.

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Farmers are key stakeholders in the nature restoration space.

Alec Clouting is a young farmer managing 200 acres of farmland in Surrey and we discuss who we strike a balance between growing the food that we need and helping nature to recover and thrive.

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