The Owl Hoot

Richard Lilley (RJ) is the co-founder and CEO of Project Seagrass - an NGO focused on raising the profile of seagrass whilst being involved in its monitoring and restoration. RJ talks about this less well-known environmental powerhouse and outlines why seagrass needs a helping hand across the globe.

Rachel Coxcoon is the founder and director of ClimateGuide, cabinet member for climate change and forward planning at Cotswold District Council and a PhD student. She talks about the power of local governance within the climate emergency, constructing a robust local plan and challenges such as budgets and politics.

Amy and Ella Meek founded the charity, Kids Against Plastic in 2016 when they were 12 and 10. They felt compelled to address plastic pollution upon researching the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Hear about their story, motivations, the Plastic Clever Schools initiative and ambitions in this inspiring conversation.

John Grant is Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Construction and Climate Change at Sheffield Hallam University. John has been involved with environmental activism for many years to sound the alarm on the climate emergency and shares his thoughts and experiences of protesting.

Nicolas Raimo is an electric car specialist, host to the YouTube channel, EV Nick, and sales manager for the family business, Luigi Motor Services. Nick tells us everything we need to know about electric cars, including driving experience, range and charging, both at home and out and about.

Simon Tilley is a director and resident at Hockerton Housing project, a small sustainable housing community and host to events and sustainable services. Simon describes how the inspiring project started in 1995, its clever design, energy efficiencies and careful resource management.

Holly McElhone is the press and communications manager for Make My Money Matter, the organisation campaigning to green up pensions for a better world. Holly talks about their progress in raising awareness of pension power, the Green Pensions Charter and applying pressure to pension providers.

Charlie Le Marquand is the data and information officer for the Mammal Society, whose vital role of determining mammal populations and habitats informs conservation. Charlie shares her enthusiasm and knowledge of British mammals and how we can all get involved in recording their whereabouts.

Richard Bunting is the director at Communications & Campaigns International, possessing considerable involvement with organisations prioritising nature. He has much to share on rewilding - what it is, what it looks like, and where it can happen; presenting examples and indicating the many benefits to nature and people.

Richard Bunting is Director of Communications & Campaigns International.

In this episode, Richard covers:

His early career and working with Amnesty International. [Starts at 1:50]Environmental interests and Trees for Life. [Starts at 4:02]What rewilding is, in comparison to conservation. [Starts at 6:45]The rewilding network and where rewilding can take place. [Starts at 10:07]A nature-based solution offering hope and raising ambitions. [Starts at 13:13]Rewilding in practice – intervention and natural regeneration. [Starts at 18:54]Time frames of projects and emerging benefits. [Starts at 25:05]The positive impact of a nature-rich environment. [Starts at 27:55]Individual and community action making a difference; The Langholm Initiative. [Starts at 30:41]A nature-rich landscape in 2050 – beavers, as an example. [Starts at 34:59]Shifting baselines, nature-depletion and what reversing this can mean. [Starts at 42:38]Rewilding at home and recommendations to others. [Starts at 45:37]

Useful links

Communications & Campaigns International

Little Green Space

Green Adventures

Rewilding Britain

Trees for Life

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance