Chloe and Tom speak with Gwenni Jenkins-Jones and Eben Muse from Tir Natur, a Welsh rewilding charity working to establish Wales’s largest rewilding site. The conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities for rewilding in Wales and why this moment represents a turning point for nature recovery in the country.

Tir Natur recently secured a 1,195-acre landscape in the Doethïe Valley in the Cambrian Mountains, creating a rare opportunity to demonstrate what large-scale ecosystem restoration could look like within a distinctly Welsh cultural and ecological context. The discussion moves beyond ecology alone, examining how rewilding intersects with language, rural communities, land ownership, farming identity and the future of the countryside.

This episode is both hopeful and honest. It explores the realities of nature loss in Wales, the misconceptions surrounding rewilding and the importance of community participation in restoring landscapes. At its heart is a powerful idea: that restoring nature is not about removing people from the land, but about rebuilding relationships between people, place and the living systems that sustain both.

Tir Natur Crowdfunder – Support the charity’s fundraising appeal for Wales’s largest rewilding project. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tirnatur

[00:05] – Introduction & project updates. Chloe and Tom welcome listeners, recount the story of spotting an unexpected otter on their land, apologise to “Pig Sheep Man Paul” for previous sheep‑related frustrations and announce a series of learning events at the Grange Project.

[06:28] – Meet Gwenni & Eben. Guests introduce themselves: Gwenni recently became Tir Natur’s fundraising manager after volunteering for a year, while Eben volunteers in planning, community engagement and translation in addition to his day job in access conservation. They describe Tir Natur as a volunteer‑powered charity whose name means “nature’s land”.

[08:30] – Why Wales needed Tir Natur. Rewilding projects in England and Scotland inspired action, yet Wales lacked a dedicated rewilding charity. Gwenni recounts that frustration with stalled government action and the desire to create a Welsh flagship site led to Tir Natur’s founding.

[09:40] – What ‘rewilding’ means to Tir Natur. Eben and Gwenni define rewilding as restoring whole ecosystems rather than managing single species. They plan to use hardy grazer, cattle, ponies and pigs to create a mosaic of habitats and make the landscape resilient to climate change.

[13:06] – The Welsh context. Eben outlines sobering statistics: Wales scores around 37 % on the Biological Intactness Index and 90% of its peat bogs are in poor condition. Agricultural pollution has degraded rivers, and political parties are reluctant to prioritise nature. Gwenni notes that shifting baselines mean many people have forgotten what a healthy landscape looks like.

[20:50] – Navigating rewilding’s reputation. Gwenni acknowledges past projects that failed to engage communities and insists Tir Natur will listen to local voices, retain the farmer on the productive part of the land and ensure access rather than exclusion. Eben rejects profit‑driven rewilding and stresses that land should serve communities, not corporate reputations.

[30:00] – A 1 195‑acre canvas for rewilding. Gwenni paints a picture of the Doethïe site: 1 195 acres with two rivers, 160 acres of degraded peat ready for restoration and 55 historic features including ancient farmsteads. The charity plans early interventions such as peatland rewetting and river restoration, followed by the introduction of grazing animals to kick‑start natural processes.

[38:40] – Next steps & call to action. The first priorities after purchase are community engagement, bringing in hardy grazers and restoring peatlands. Gwenni invites listeners to visit the site, volunteer, share expertise or donate. Fundraising continues to finish purchasing the land and begin restoration.

Gwenni Jenkins‑Jones is the fundraising manager for Tir Natur. After volunteering for a year, she now leads fundraising and community engagement for the charity, using her professional skills to connect donors with a shared vision for rewilding. Email: [email protected]

Eben Mewes works in access conservation and is an ambassador for Campaign for National Parks. He volunteers with Tir Natur, focusing on planning, community outreach and translation. Motivated by frustration with policy in Wales, he sees the new rewilding site as a chance to show what’s possible and to reconnect people with their landscapes.

1. Tir Natur – Charity website – Learn about the organisation’s vision for a Wales where wild nature and communities thrive together. https://www.tirnatur.cymru/
2. Tir Natur – “The Land” – Explore the 1 195‑acre Doethïe site in the Cambrian Mountains, including peatbogs, river corridors and plans for natural grazing. https://www.tirnatur.cymru/the-land
3. Guardian article – News piece covering Tír Natur’s £2.2 million purchase of the 1 195‑acre site, its restoration goals and plans for hardy grazers. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/15/welsh-charity-buys-more-than-405-hectares-for-rewilding
4. Tir Natur Crowdfunder – Support the charity’s fundraising appeal for Wales’s largest rewilding project. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tirnatur

1. Listen & subscribe: Follow the Wilder Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite app and leave a rating to help others discover the show.
2. Support rewilding: Visit the Tir Natur website, volunteer, donate or share the project with friends. Grassroots action and community support will determine the success of this flagship site.

Tom and Chloe sit down with Clare from Planton farm to explore what regenerative agriculture really means. Drawing on Claire’s journey from the conventional food industry into regenerative farming, the conversation explores why our current food system is under strain and how working with nature offers a viable, hopeful alternative.

Together they explore soil health, livestock grazing, culture change in farming, and the realities farmers face when trying to shift away from extractive systems. From cattle as “ecosystem engineers” to the surprising role chickens can play in regeneration, this episode is a grounded, honest look at food, farming and the mindset shifts required to restore landscapes while keeping farms viable.

[00:00] – Introduction and context

Clare joins the podcast after visiting the Grange Project, sharing her background and passion for grazing livestock and regenerative farming.

[03:56] – What regenerative agriculture actually means

A clear explanation of regeneration as the opposite of degradation – restoring soil, water, biodiversity and people – and why there is no single “recipe” for doing it well.

[05:24] – Regenerative vs organic farming

How organic and regenerative systems overlap, where they differ, and why organic certification doesn’t automatically guarantee soil regeneration.

[07:05] – The challenge of definition and greenwashing

Why regenerative agriculture lacks certification, how the term can be misused, and the importance of asking one key question as a consumer: what is this regenerating?

[08:48] – Why the current food system is struggling

A look back to post-war agriculture, the drive for volume, the rise of chemical inputs and the unintended consequences for soil health, nutrition, biodiversity and resilience.

[13:16] – Economics of regenerative farming

Why high-input, high-output farming is hitting a ceiling, how rising input costs are eroding margins, and why some farmers turn to regenerative approaches for financial survival as much as environmental reasons.

[15:02] – Culture change and farmer mindset

Farming as identity, pride and tradition – and why regenerative farming challenges deeply held ideas about tidiness, productivity and what “good farming” looks like.

[20:28] – Roots to Regeneration

Clare explains the two-year Roots to Regeneration programme, designed to support farmers and food-system professionals through deep, supported transition rather than surface-level change.

[24:23] – Cattle, climate and eating less but better meat

Why grazing animals can be central to regeneration, how grasslands co-evolved with ruminants, and why cattle can act as ecosystem engineers when managed well.

[29:38] – Chickens in a regenerative system

Exploring pasture poultry, nutrient imbalance, river pollution and why the current chicken industry is structurally broken.

[36:07] – Interconnected roles on the farm

How chickens and cattle support each other through manure management, pest control, fertilisation and orchard grazing.

[38:47] – The future of farming

Regenerative agriculture as a potential fifth agricultural revolution, the rise of eco-literacy and a vision of farming that is more resilient, humane and joyful.

Clare is a regenerative farmer and food-system specialist based in Shropshire. She runs Planton Fam, an 80-acre regenerative holding integrating cattle, chickens, trees and perennial crops. With a background spanning the National Farmers Union, major retailers and sustainability consultancy, Claire brings a rare systems-level perspective to farming, food and land use.

She is also co-founder of Roots to Regeneration, a two-year transition programme supporting farmers and food-industry professionals to redesign agricultural systems that work for people, planet and profit.

1. Plant & Farm – regenerative meat and produce with UK mainland delivery
2. https://www.plantandfarm.co.uk
3. Roots to Regeneration – applications open for the next cohort: https://rootsofnature.co.uk/roots-to-regeneration/
4. Groundswell Agriculture Festival – learning and inspiration for regenerative farming
5. https://groundswellag.com

1. 🎧 Listen & subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast platform
2. 🌱 Share the episode with anyone curious about food, farming or systems change
3. 💬 Join the conversation – what questions do you have about regenerative agriculture?

In this pre‑Christmas episode, hosts Chloe and Tom sit down with Tom Clark and Alex Brocklesby from the National Trust at Purbeck.

Purbeck is one of the UK’s most biodiverse areas, yet many residents remain disconnected from the nature on their doorstep. Tom and Alex explain how varied geology; including Pool Harbour, chalk ridges and heathlands, creates an incredible range of habitats.

They describe how the Purbeck Heaths, the UK’s first super national nature reserve, unites 3500hectares of heathland owned by NGOs, statutory bodies and private landowners. The conversation explores why connecting local communities to this landscape is as important as ecological restoration, highlighting systemic barriers like work pressures and lack of time.

Each bullet below begins with the approximate start time for that segment:

[00:05] Welcome & purpose of the Wilder Podcast. Chloe and Tom explain that the podcast has evolved from documenting their family’s rewilding journey to exploring wider systemic challenges—education, community, economy and eco‑entrepreneurship.

[04:20] Conservation sheep and lessons in rewilding. Chloe and Tom recount borrowing six conservation sheep, difficulties moving them between fields and why most commercial sheep aren’t suited to rewilding. Conservation breeds like the Castlemilk Moorit nibble less and promote diverse grasslands.

[16:55] Introducing Purbeck’s biodiversity. Tom Clark and Alex Brocklesby describe Purbeck as one of the most biodiverse parts of the UK because of its varied geology—harbours, chalk ridges, heathlands and limestone cliffs. They note the long‑standing presence of organisations like Natural England, the National Trust and RSPB.

[19:17] Super National Nature Reserve. The guests explain that the Purbeck Heaths are the UK’s first super national nature reserve. The reserve unites several smaller reserves into a continuous 3500 hectare landscape that includes private landowners, demonstrating collaboration beyond NGOs.

[20:54] – Experiences on the Isle of Purbeck. Visitors can see snakes, lizards, puffins, eagles, beavers and butterflies; picnic in flower‑rich meadows; explore sheltered beaches with seahorses; wander ancient woodlands; watch sunsets; or go coasteering along the Jurassic Coast. Four million people visit each year because the region offers so many ways to connect with nature.

[22:55] – Why local people aren’t more connected to nature. Despite living in a biodiverse landscape, Purbeck residents aren’t any more nature‑connected than people elsewhere. Nearly 40 % of local children start school without ever having been to the beach. Tom and Alex discuss building trust with schools, community groups and businesses and reflect on the need for community‑led approaches, rather than top‑down conservation.

[27:19] – Systemic barriers & opportunities. Modern lifestyles—commuting, low‑paid seasonal work, high numbers of second homes—leave little time for nature connection. Society is structured around nine‑to‑five routines rather than natural rhythms. The guests urge listeners to co‑create solutions that make time in nature accessible to everyone.

Tom Clark Land & Outdoors Manager for the National Trust’s Purbeck portfolio. He leads teams responsible for nature conservation, habitat restoration and visitor engagement across the Purbeck Heaths. Tom is passionate about collaborative, community‑led rewilding and believes the future of conservation depends on partnerships between NGOs and local people.

Alex Brocklesby Community & Volunteering Manager for the National Trust at Purbeck. With a background in community organising, Alex builds relationships with schools, youth groups and local organisations to help residents benefit from the region’s natural assets. She co‑leads the Purbeck Community Project, which aims to make nature connection part of everyday life.

1. Purbeck Heaths Super National Nature Reserve learn about the UK’s first “super” NNR, which brings together three existing reserves to create a bigger, more connected landscape. Visit the official site at https://purbeckheaths.org.uk.
2. National Trust Purbeck the National Trust teamed up with six other landowners to create the Purbeck Heaths super reserve; find top facts, wildlife information and visitor guidance at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/our-cause/nature-climate/nature-conservation/uks-first-super-nature-reserve-at-purbeck-heaths.
3. The Grange Project Chloe and Tom’s 80‑acre rewilding initiative in Monmouthshire aims to restore wilder nature and inspire people through community involvement. Explore our story at https://www.grangeproject.co.uk.
4. Nature Connection research the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group studies how people’s relationships with nature affect wellbeing and conservation behaviourderby.ac.uk. Read more and access resources at https://www.derby.ac.uk/research/themes/zero-carbon/zero-carbon-nbs-research-centre/nature-connectedness-research-group/.

1. Subscribe & review: If you enjoyed this episode, follow the Wilder Podcast on your preferred podcast app and leave a rating. It helps others discover the show.
2. Join the conversation: Share your thoughts or questions on social media and tag @WilderPodcast. What experiences have inspired your connection to nature?
3. Support nature restoration: Visit the National Trust Purbeck or your local nature reserve. Consider volunteering, donating or joining a community project to help make landscapes wilder and more inclusive.

Ep Art Image Credit: Purbeck Super NNR in Dorset at Little Sea | © National Trust Images / John Miller

Guest: Tom Johnstone – Founder of We Are Nature Based

Host: Tom Constable (co‑founder of The Grange Project)

In this special episode, Tom Constable talks to flood‑management expert Tom Johnstone about the catastrophic flooding that recently hit Monmouthshire and large parts of Wales. We explore what drove the event, whether it was simply a natural flood or part of a climate‑induced trend, and what practical solutions exist to reduce future risk.

This conversation is grounded in both data and lived experience; it also responds to a social‑media debate where some posts dismissed any link between climate change and flooding.

• Founder of We Are Nature Based, a community interest company that helps water companies, local authorities and land managers adopt natural flood management techniques.
• Works across the UK integrating nature‑based solutions with traditional (grey) infrastructure, including leaky woody dams, tree planting and wetland creation.
• Previously collaborated with the Grange Project to install around 50 leaky woody structures in their stream – an effort that Tom Constable credits with slowing water on the farm.

[00:00] Introduction & purpose – Host Tom Constable explains the devastating floods that struck Monmouthshire and his aim to explore whether the floods are climate‑induced or natural.

[01:50] Acknowledging the impact – Guest Tom Johnson sends sympathies to affected communities, noting the hardship and setting the tone for a thoughtful discussion.

[03:20] Why Tom Johnstone? – Tom Johnstone outlines his credentials as the founder of We Are Nature Based and his expertise in natural flood management.

[04:30] What happened? Rainfall & river levels – The conversation turns to the flood statistics: nearly 120 mm of rain fell in 12 hours (more than 10 % of the annual average) and the River Monnow’s defences were overtopped.

[06:30] Are floods climate‑induced? – Tom Johnson explains that while floods are natural, the frequency of heavy rainfall and droughts is increasing due to climate change.

[09:00] Land use, soils & runoff – They discuss how centuries of land drainage, river straightening and intensive farming have compacted soils and accelerated runoff; Tom uses a dried‑out sponge analogy to describe baked soils repelling water.

[13:00] Dredging vs. slowing the flow – A pragmatic discussion on dredging where it’s needed and why slowing the flow with leaky dams, ponds and vegetation is often a better approach.

[16:00] Grange Project anecdote & climate projections – Tom Constable shares how hedgerows, tussocky grass and woody debris have slowed runoff on his farm; Tom Johnson discusses predictions of more flash‑flood events in Wales.

[19:00] Beyond higher walls: budgets & catchments – They question the wisdom of endlessly raising flood walls and advocate investing some flood‑defence budgets in catchment‑wide natural solutions.

[22:00] Policy & planning recommendations – Tom Johnstone suggests permeable paving for new developments, smart rainwater butts, incentives for farmers to hold water on their land, and integrated catchment planning.

[25:00] Closing thoughts & call to action – Tom Constable thanks his guest and encourages listeners to learn more, support affected communities and push for systemic change.

• We Are Nature Based: Tom Johnstone’s organisation specialising in natural flood management.
• The Grange Project: grangeproject.co.uk – Tom and Chloe’s nature‑restoration project in Monmouthshire.

Ep Art Image acknowledgement: GETTY IMAGES

In episode 46 of The Wilder Podcast, hosts Chloe and Tom explore how wild places heal people and ecosystems. Their guest is Jo Roberts, CEO of the Wilderness Foundation UK. Jo shares how her childhood in South Africa fostered a deep respect for wilderness, how trauma influenced her career path, and why she believes access to nature should be a basic public health right. The conversation covers the Grange Project’s latest updates (volunteers, community‑days and new Berkshire pigs), the difference between parks and true wilderness, and the Wilderness Foundation’s programmes for survivors of domestic abuse, young people experiencing mental‑health challenges and at‑risk youth. Together they discuss why being outdoors with others, facing manageable challenges and reconnecting with non‑human nature can transform mental and emotional health.

Jo Roberts – CEO, Wilderness Foundation UK

Jo has been Chief Executive of the Wilderness Foundation since 2004 and previously worked as Projects Director and Project Coordinatorwildernessfoundation.org.uk. A South African by birth, Jo was shaped by wild places across Africa and studied social anthropology during apartheid. She moved to the UK in 1984 and later merged her global network of wilderness practitioners into programmes that use nature to promote wellbeing and behavioural changewildernessfoundation.org.uk. Jo is a master NLP practitioner and psychotherapeutic counsellor who leads wilderness therapy programmes, with research interests in how immersion in nature affects mental healthwildernessfoundation.org.uk. She also serves on the Essex Climate Action Commission and champions the idea that “we help nature and nature helps us”wildernessfoundation.org.uk.

[00:00] Introductions & Grange Project update

[08:00] Jo Roberts’ background

[16:00] What counts as wilderness?

[28:00] Why wilderness heals

[36:00] Programmes & therapeutic work

[45:00] Access to nature as a public health right

[55:00] Reflections & takeaways:

• Wild places are medicine. Research on the Wilderness Foundation’s TurnAround programme shows that spending time in wilderness and receiving long‑term support improves emotional wellbeing for most participants and helps them into education, training or worksmileymovement.org.
• Nature‑based therapy blends challenge and care. Programmes like Blossom and Brave Futures combine bushcraft, outdoor cooking and art therapy with trauma‑informed counsellingwildernessfoundation.org.ukwildernessfoundation.org.uk. Participants learn boundaries, resilience and self‑care in a supportive group.
• Volunteers and community matter. The Grange Project’s success owes much to volunteers and WWOOF‑ers who contribute energy and ideas; the hosts underline that community days not only help the land but also energise the hosts.
• Access to nature is a social issue. Jo argues that nature immersion should be a public health right, and points to transport, funding and education policy as barriers. She calls for greater investment in outdoor education and for teachers and parents to model curiosity about nature.
• Three ingredients for healing: a diverse, “wild” environment; a supportive group or tribe; and a challenge that develops mastery and resilience.

• Wilderness Foundation UK: Main charity page with information on programmes, events and volunteering opportunities – https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk.
• Blossom Programme: Nature‑based therapy for survivors of domestic abuse; meets for ten weeks in woodland near Chelmsfordwildernessfoundation.org.uk – https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/domestic-violence-recovery/.
• Brave Futures: Eight‑week group‑therapy programme for children, teens and adults experiencing mental‑health challengeswildernessfoundation.org.uk – https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/brave-futures/.
• TurnAround: A year‑long wilderness‑therapy programme for vulnerable young people; includes a Scottish expedition and mentoringsmileymovement.org – https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/turnaround/.
• Grange Project: Tom and Chloe’s 80‑acre nature‑restoration site in Wales; volunteer opportunities and podcast archive – https://grangeproject.co.uk.
• WWOOF UK: Information on Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), the volunteering network mentioned in the episode – https://wwoof.org.uk.

• Volunteer or donate: The Wilderness Foundation relies on volunteers and donations to run programmes; opportunities range from mentoring to conservation work. Details are on the Foundation’s volunteer page.
• Explore your local wild spaces: Whether it’s a city park or a remote forest, take time to notice birdsong, plant patterns and the feel of the wind. Even small pockets of wildness can soothe the mind.
• Share this episode: If you know someone who might benefit from wilderness therapy or who is interested in rewilding and mental health, share this episode of the Wilder Podcast.

• Wilderness Foundation UK – email [email protected]; phone 0300 123 3073wildernessfoundation.org.uk.
• The Grange Project – email [email protected] for volunteering or to attend future community days.

This week on the Wilder Podcast, we sit down with Chris Blake to explore how communities can steward land through collaboration, long-term vision and trust between local people and public bodies. We also share Grange Project updates (bumper apple harvest, the market garden & "cathedral-scale" polytunnel!), two recent courses, and announce Wilder Away Days - our nature-based corporate retreats.

• Community land stewardship ≠ one model. Freehold, long leasehold, management agreements and co-production each offer different ways for local values to shape land.
• Co-production works when power is shared. Start with a blank page, bring evidence-givers (forestry, ecology, education), and let a mixed panel turn evidence into values & principles - not expert-written plans.
• Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) can beat clear-fell on 100-year horizons: better soils, flood risk, vistas - and local, steady jobs from ongoing thinning rather than boom-and-bust harvesting.
• Public bodies win too. Communities unlock grants, volunteers and entrepreneurial energy that agencies often lack - delivering outcomes already in policy (biodiversity, access, carbon).
• Trust is the glue. A year-long, facilitated process built mutual respect between Natural Resources Wales managers and residents; FSC certification also helps keep plans on track.
• Practical first steps. If transfer isn’t feasible, explore long leases or co-produced forest/resource plans; talk to national support orgs early (see "Resources").

00:06 — Welcome & what’s ahead

00:30 — Grange Project update: community day, record apple harvest & juice pressing

06:50 — Announcement: Wilder Away Days (purposeful team retreats in wild nature)

10:15 — Guest intro: Chris Blake & the journey to community stewardship

13:05 — What is “community land stewardship”? Why it matters

15:40 — Lessons from Scotland’s community buyouts (Noidart, forestry, hydro, housing)

19:40 — The co-production model in the Rhondda: who’s in the room & how it ran

27:55 — Designing for Continuous Cover Forestry & local jobs over decades

30:00 — Why agencies benefit: capacity, risk culture, and policy delivery

34:35 — Accountability: FSC, public scrutiny & relationship-based safeguards

37:55 — Inside the room: creative methods, expert “witnesses,” values > wish-lists

47:50 — Where to go for help (nation-specific orgs)

49:47 — Closing reflections: changing the values that shape landscapes

50:02 — Hosts’ debrief: win-wins, optimism, and where else co-production fits

Chris Blake - social entrepreneur focused on community energy and land stewardship; founding director at The Green Valleys, long-term work in the Rhondda on co-produced forest visions; chair & founding trustee at Black Mountains College; volunteer director at Co-production Network for Wales and Global Action Plan.

• Natural Resources Wales (NRW) - public forest & land manager in Wales
• Welcome to Our Woods - community woodland group in Treherbert
• The Green Valleys - community renewable energy & stewardship
• Black Mountains College - climate-focused higher education
• Co-production Network for Wales - facilitation & training
• FSC certification - forest management standards & accountability

Getting started / advice:

• England: Locality
• Wales: Development Trusts Association Wales (DTA Wales)
• Scotland: Community Land Scotland
• Northern Ireland: Development Trusts NI
• (Note: legislation and routes differ by nation - start with your country’s body above.)

Ditch the windowless hotel. Come to our architect-designed hub in wild nature for strategy, communication and team-bonding days - with facilitation by a clinical psychologist, purposeful conservation activities, and seasonal food grown metres from the table. Profits support Wilder Connections (youth nature-connection charity).

Enquiries: wilderawaydays.co.uk

Chloe Constable - clinical psychologist & systemic psychotherapist; facilitator of reflective, nature-based work with organisations, co-leads the Grange Project and the Wilder Podcast.

Tom Constable - veteran, producer and entrepreneur; co-leads the Grange Project and the Wilder Podcast.

The Wilder Podcast explores nature connection, rewilding and the practicalities of building people-and-planet-positive projects - told from the ground at our 80-acre Grange Project in Wales, plus conversations with practitioners, researchers and community leaders.

• Subscribe & review: it really helps others find the show
• Share this episode with someone working in land, community or local government
• Book a Wilder Away Day for your team: wilderawaydays.co.uk
• Follow the Grange Project for course dates, volunteer days & market-garden news: grangeproject.co.uk

In this episode, Tom and Chloe sit down with chef-turned-homesteader Gaz Oakley to explore his remarkable journey from the high-pressure kitchens of Cardiff and London to a more grounded life growing food and foraging in the Welsh hills. With 1.8 million YouTube followers, five cookbooks, and a deepening connection to land, Gaz shares how food, nature, and simplicity became the foundation of his transformation.

This honest conversation explores the systemic challenges of modern living, the healing power of growing your own food, and how small acts like growing herbs on a windowsill can become a radical form of resistance.

Nature deficiency is real. Gaz describes the anxiety and disconnection he felt in city life — and how growing his own food and spending time outdoors radically improved his wellbeing.

Food is medicine. From fermenting tomatoes to foraging yarrow, Gaz has reimagined food not just as fuel but as nourishment for body, soul, and soil.

Start small, grow meaningfully. Whether it's a tomato plant on a windowsill or an allotment plot in the city, Gaz encourages listeners to take accessible first steps towards food autonomy.

Authenticity over aesthetics. Despite his large digital following, Gaz speaks candidly about the tension between online influence and offline peace, and his longing to connect with people in-person through real-world projects.

Music, clothing, and relationships change. When you reconnect with nature, everything else aligns — even your Spotify playlist.

00:00 – A sip of hibiscus and a warm welcome

01:00 – Setting the tone: hospitality, herbs, and grounding rituals

03:00 – What’s The Grange Project? An intro for new listeners

06:00 – Upcoming community day highlights (apple pressing, polytunnel building, wood meadows)

08:00 – Meet Gaz Oakley: chef, YouTuber, homesteader

11:30 – From burnout to foraging: Gaz’s turning point during COVID

15:00 – How growing food changed Gaz’s entire relationship with cooking

18:00 – The deeper meaning of foraging, soil health, and nourishment

22:00 – From beats to birdsong: how Gaz’s music taste reflects his transformation

25:00 – Systemic critique and compassion for city dwellers

28:00 – Social media, influence, and the silent revolution of self-sufficiency

34:00 – How self-sufficient is Gaz? The ups and downs of growing most of your food

38:00 – Time, joy, and the rhythm of gardening

41:00 – Herbalism, slow living, and detoxing from industrial life

46:00 – Gaz’s advice: practical steps for rewilding your life — even in the city

50:00 – Final reflections and future plans

52:00 – Postscript chat: bromances, polytunnels, and McDonald’s metaphors

Gaz Oakley is a chef, author, YouTuber, and passionate homesteader based in Wales. Best known for his plant-based recipes and hugely popular channel "Avant Garde Vegan", Gaz is now on a mission to grow his own food, live more naturally, and inspire others to reconnect with the land.

• Gaz Oakley on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/avantgardevegan
• The Grange Project: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk
• Join the WhatsApp Community: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/whatsapp
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Mentioned in this episode:

Visit & Stay at the Grange Project

Would you like to escape the trappings of the modern world and wake-up in the morning to one of the best views in South Wales, where only the birds are noisy? We have two beautiful and sustainably built ‘tiny homes’, carefully located in secluded locations across our 80 acre rewilding project.

Visit Grange Project

In this episode of the Wilder Podcast, we sit down with Ben Goldsmith, financier, conservationist, and passionate rewilding advocate, to explore the deeply personal and global dimensions of nature restoration.

Ben shares how the tragic loss of his daughter, Iris, became the catalyst for rewilding his Somerset farm, transforming grief into a living love letter to her wild spirit. We also explore his belief in the healing power of nature, both for individuals and for landscapes, and why reconnecting young people with the natural world is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

From there, we broaden the lens to global rewilding projects and the emerging role of nature credits, from carbon and biodiversity credits to water quality markets, in funding large-scale ecological recovery. Ben explains the opportunities, risks, and integrity challenges of these markets, and why, despite their imperfections, they may be one of the most powerful tools available to scale restoration at speed.

• How the loss of Ben’s daughter Iris inspired his family’s rewilding journey.
• The healing role of nature in times of deep grief.
• Why rewilding can happen on any scale, from a window box to thousands of acres.
• The promise and pitfalls of nature credits, from carbon markets to biodiversity net gain.
• Why reconnecting young people with nature is essential for our collective future.
• How hope, optimism, and pragmatic financing can fuel a wilder world.

• 00:00 – Weather, drought, and the Grange Project’s changing landscape
• 09:30 – Introducing Ben Goldsmith and his lifelong passion for nature
• 16:00 – Rewilding in memory of Iris: grief, love, and transformation
• 27:00 – Nature connection, childhood, and ecological identity
• 33:00 – The return of beavers and winning hearts for rewilding
• 36:00 – Nature credits explained: carbon, water, biodiversity
• 46:00 – Risks, integrity, and scepticism in new nature markets
• 52:00 – The future of Welsh farming and policy courage
• 01:00:00 – Reflections on accountability, funding gaps, and next steps

Ben Goldsmith is an environmentalist, investor, and writer. He chairs the Conservative Environment Network and is the founder of Rewilding the World, a podcast sharing stories of global restoration. His memoir, God is an Octopus, documents his journey through grief and the solace he found in rewilding his Somerset farm after the tragic loss of his daughter Iris. Ben has also worked extensively in green investment, particularly in natural capital and renewable energy, seeking ways to channel finance into large-scale ecological recovery.

Tom & Chloe Constable are the founders of the Grange Project, an 80-acre rewilding initiative in Monmouthshire, Wales. Through the Wilder Podcast, they document their journey in restoring nature, raising a young family, and exploring the wider rewilding movement with leading voices from around the world.

The Wilder Podcast explores the people, ideas, and projects driving the rewilding movement. From family farms to global landscapes, we share honest conversations about restoring nature, finding hope, and building a wilder future.

🌱 Visit the Grange Project: www.grangeproject.co.uk

🌿 Follow on Instagram: @grangeprojectwales

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In this episode of the Wilder Podcast, Chloe and Tom discuss the recent opening of the Grange Hub and explore two significant restorative practices: Natural Flood Management (NFM) and Nature Guardianship. Tom Johnston from We Are Nature Based CIC explains how NFM utilises natural processes to manage water flow, contrasting it with traditional gray infrastructure. The conversation also explores Nature Guardianship, a concept that integrates the voice of nature into decision-making processes. The episode highlights the need for a mindset shift in water management and the potential for these practices to create our 'wilder world'.

Community discount for the Grange Project's Wilder Cabins: 'COMMUNITY10'. Click here.

• Tom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/
• Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/
• Website: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk
• Podcast Journey Page: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeproject
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProject
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/

• The Grange Hub opening marks a significant milestone for the project.
• Natural Flood Management (NFM) uses natural processes to manage water flow.
• NFM can prevent flooding and enhance biodiversity.
• Nature Guardianship brings the voice of nature into decision-making.
• Restorative practices reconnect humans with nature.
• Community engagement is crucial for successful environmental initiatives.
• Cumulative small interventions can have a large impact on water management.
• Mindset shifts are necessary for effective water management.
• Nature Guardianship can help shift cultural attitudes towards nature.
• Investing in nature-based solutions is essential for sustainability.

00:00 Introduction to the Wilder Podcast and Grange Hub Opening

12:23 Natural Flood Management: Understanding the Concept

42:07 Nature Guardianship: A New Approach to Decision-Making

54:25 Restorative Practices: Reflections from the interview.

Summary

In this episode of The Wilder Podcast, hosts Chloe and Tom explore the concept of nature connection, discussing its importance for mental health and wellbeing, the barriers that prevent it, and the pathways to rekindling our relationship with the natural world. They explore the significance of understanding nature connection, particularly among adolescents, and stress the need for systemic change to encourage deeper engagement with nature. The conversation underscores the reciprocal relationship between people and the environment, calling for a shift in language and policy to strengthen nature connection across society.

Prof Miles Richardson's books

• Website
• The Blackbird's Song
• Reconnection

Nature Connection Research Group

Takeaways

• Nature connection is vital for mental health and wellbeing.
• The UK ranks low in both nature connectedness and biodiversity.
• Urbanisation and technology are major contributors to disconnection from nature.
• Emotional engagement and education can foster stronger nature connection.
• Adolescents often experience a notable dip in nature connection during their teenage years.
• Research shows a strong correlation between nature connection and pro-environmental behaviour.
• Engaging the senses is a powerful way to deepen nature connection.
• Community involvement plays a key role in successful nature restoration projects.
• Nature connection should be seen as a reciprocal relationship.
• Systemic changes are essential to improving access to nature for everyone.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

10:49 – Understanding Nature Connection

16:01 – Defining Nature Connection

21:25 – Nature Connection and Wellbeing

32:55 – Barriers to Nature Connection

45:43 – Pathways to Nature Connection

50:48 – Engaging Adolescents in Nature Connection

55:54 – Reflections and Future Directions