By Grange Project
The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.
For both new and regular listeners, we cover everything you need to know about the Grange Project one year in. Whether you’re interested in the physical changes, how we intend to finance the project or our vision for nature education, we hope you find value in our enthusiasm!
**Sign up for the newsletter at www.grangeproject.co.uk**
Your Hosts:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe set the context of the episode and what they intend to cover over the next 40 minutes.
[00:03:17] Chloe shares the approach that informs the rewilding at the Grange Project: collaboration, experimentation and engagement.
[00:10:38] We highlight some of the amazing volunteers who have supported the Project, as well as some of the rewilding interventions that have occurred on the land.
[00:18:00] Tom introduces his beloved pigs, and their effects on the land.
[00:25:00] We discuss the problems and possibilities of grants, including the one we received for our Tiny Forest.
[00:28:58] Chloe and Tom share the implications of the successful planning application for our Wilder Lodge barn conversion, specifically for corporate partners.
[00:33:57] Tom describes his hopes for ecopreneurship at the Grange Project, including our pending planning application for a micro-distillery, and our beautiful Tiny Homes.
[00:36:56] We share our visions for nature literacy and connectivity from the Project.
In this interview with Simon Roper, we debate the problems and possibilities of technology in rewilding, covering everything from the latest innovations to whether technology ever could, or should, replace boots in the ground. Whether you’re a self described technology geek or living a low tech lifestyle, the debates in this episode offer something for everyone.
Your Hosts:Simon Roper is the Director of Ambios responsible for external networks and vocational training. He leads in project focused grant fundraising and has a specific training role around species reintroductions and mammal ecology. Simon’s outreach work for Ambios includes visiting Universities to give talks about rewilding and helping to facilitate local and national rewilding networks. Simon is passionate about ecology, biodiversity and creating positive learning environments. He co-founded Ambios in 2001, to help people achieve their goals for nature and employment.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-roper-97a989a/?originalSubdomain=uk
Website: https://www.ambios.net/
Resources:https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ - Merlin Bird App
https://www.picturethisai.com/ - Plant Identification App
https://butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/recording-and-monitoring/irecord-butterflies - Butterfly Identification App
Listen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe update on the project, including news of a fallen tree and recent encounters with barn owls.
[00:07:12] Our guest for today, Simon Report, introduces himself, Ambios and his interest in the use of technology in nature.
[00:13:00] Tom asks Simon to describe a practical application of technology use within Ambios, including GIS mapping and drones.
[00:19:50] We debate whether apps and technology can ever replicate ecological expertise.
[00:24:41] We discuss significant moments in nature, with or without technology.
[00:28:30] Simon reflects on a high risk and exciting development within technology in the world of learning, utilising AI.
[00:36:51] Chloe questions Simon about how these technical developments may impact jobs in nature conversation.
[00:39:07] Tom concludes the conversation by inviting Simon to reflect on the future technological developments in this space
[00:42:37] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
In the context of carbon emissions related to imported foods, increasing food insecurity, pollution from intensive farming and corporate monopolies, maybe it's time we reimagined the future of farming in the UK? Duncan Fisher eloquently describes how Our Food 1200 / Ein Bwyd 1200 are working to build a reliable and affordable supply of food for all, focusing on accessible and small scale agroecological farms.
Your Hosts:Duncan Fisher is the Director and Co-Manager of Our Food 1200, he lives in Crickhowell and has a varied background, including extensive experience in child welfare and development and sustainable travel.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncanfisher/?originalSubdomain=uk
https://ourfood1200.wales/ to find out more about the work of Our Food 1200, including the application link for the Future Farms Partnership in Powys.
Listen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe update on the project, sharing the love from our second community day and news of a recently awarded grant.
[00:06:40] Our guest for today, Duncan Fisher, introduces himself and gives an overview of Our Food 1200.
[00:12:05] Tom asks Duncan to elaborate on why we require a new approach to farming, specifically in relation to food security and the affordability of farmland.
[00:16:50] Chloe questions Duncan about the environmental impacts of our current food system, including the carbon impact of imported food, and the profitability of growing fruit and vegetables.
[00:23:14] We discuss the definition of agroecological and what you might expect from a small-scale future farm.
[00:26:16] Duncan introduces their flagship project: The Future Farms Partnership.
[00:31:22] We discuss the perspective of George Monbiot and his ‘protein factories’, considering the importance of decentralisation.
[00:35:58] Chloe reflects on the joy of community connections associated with local and small-scale farming.
[00:39:25] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
James Hitchcock, CEO of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, takes us on a big picture journey in this week’s episode. Covering a range of topics including the role of the Wildlife Trusts, the relationship between Wales and rewilding and the conception of his dream project, Wilder Pentwyn Farm.
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SIGN UP for the VOLUNTEERS DAY: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/volunteers-day
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Your Hosts:James Hitchcock is the CEO of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, he has extensive experience working in applied conservation, specialising in land management and associated skills, from practical management through to leadership roles. Of particular relevance to this podcast, James has a long held passion for restoring nature at landscape scale and believes rewilding to be a practical and holistic scalable solution to the challenges we face in the UK.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hitchcock-a6263790/
https://www.rwtwales.org/ to find out more about the fantastic projects of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, including Wilder Pentwyn Farm.
Listen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe update on the project, including the SEWBReC Recorder’s Day, our work with Youngwilders, the pigs and our summer community day.
[00:07:03] Our guest for today, James Hitchcock, introduces himself and the journey to his current role.
[00:10:26] James describes the role of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust (RWT) and how it works alongside other NGOs such as the National Trust and Natural Resources Wales.
[00:20:18] Tom asks questions about the funding sources for RWT and whether James perceives them to be fit for the future.
[00:26:33] James reflects on what drew him to Wales personally and some of the unique features of this country, including the Wellbeing for Future Generations Act.
[00:29:43] We discuss the relationship between Wales and rewilding and James shares his perspective on the ‘Summit to Sea’ project.
[00:35:39] James talks us through the conception and vision for Wilder Pentwyn Farm.
[00:41:06] We conclude the conversation by thinking about our responsibilities as ‘good ancestors’.
[00:42:30] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
The foundations of this rich episode are a conversation with Laura Fairs, the Lead Facilitator and Co-Creator of the Embercombe Rewilding Training. We discuss the history of the training, the key subjects covered in the training and the importance of inclusivity and diversity. It was then our pleasure to host alumni from the 2023 course: Claudia, Olly and Gerry. They share with us their experiences and the power of the community that’s been created.
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SIGN UP for the VOLUNTEERS DAY: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/volunteers-day
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Your Hosts:Laura Fairs is a conservationist, rewilder, facilitator and speaker. She is the co-creator and lead facilitator for the Embercombe Rewilding Training and the co-founder of Devon Wildland, a network of wilder sites and people across the Haldon Hills, Teign Valley and surrounding areas.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-fairs/
The alumni of the 2023 Rewilding Training were:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerry-o-brien-51007323/
Embercombe Rewilding Training: https://embercombe.org/the-rewilding-training/ Introducing the UK’s first in-depth, blended Rewilding Training. This 9-month learning journey will take you from a curiosity about rewilding to having the confidence, knowledge, skills, ability and contacts to be able to rewild your own site, or another landowner’s.
Listen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe briefly introduce the podcast.
[00:02:55] Our guest for today, Laura Fairs, introduces herself and the history of Embercome.
[00:07:45] We talk about why rewilding training at Embercombe and the content of the training.
[00:17:23] We discuss Laura’s perspective on the impact of the course and the power of community.
[00:22:00] Laura reflects on the 2023 course and her hopes for the future.
[00:26:22] We move to the second half of the episode, speaking to the alumni of the 2023 Rewilding Training course; they introduce themselves and what led them to Embercombe.
[00:37:00] We discuss the experiences of Olly and Claudia, who joined the Rewilding Training from a non-nature based background.
[00:46:04] Chloe asks the alumni about the impact of the training and the importance of community.
[00:57:06] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
Keen for More:Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm
In Wilding, Isabella Tree tells the story of the ‘Knepp experiment’, a pioneering rewilding project in West Sussex, using free-roaming grazing animals to create new habitats for wildlife. Part gripping memoir, part fascinating account of the ecology of our countryside, Wilding is, above all, an inspiring story of hope.
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/wilding-the-return-of-nature-to-a-british-farm-isabella-tree/942604?ean=9781509805105
Why do beavers create dams? How do they enhance the ecosystem around them? What is getting in the way of their return? As a Project Officer with the Welsh Beaver Project, Alicia Leow-Dyke is the perfect guest to introduce us to the beaver and their importance within the British Landscape.
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SIGN UP for the COMMUNITY DAY: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/volunteers-day
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Your Hosts:If you’re interested in finding out more about the HighGround Charity (who Tom supported in his Offa’s Dyke adventure) please go to the following link: https://highground-uk.org
Grange Project Contact & Social Media:Alicia Leow-Dyke has been the Wildlife Trusts Wales (WTW) Welsh Beaver Project Officer since 2016. With over 10 years of experience working with beavers, Alicia is the perfect guest to introduce us to the beaver and the feasibility of re-introducing them to Wales.
Find out more at:
[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe share the latest news from the Grange Project, including the outcome of Tom’s crazy challenge, the next community day and an update on planning!
[00:06:57] We introduce our guest, Alicia Leow-Dyke, and she gives us a beginner’s guide to beavers: what they look like, where they live and how they like to spend their time.
[00:16:10] We then go on to talk about what’s just so special about beavers and the influence they have on the system around them as ‘ecosystem engineers’.
[00:19:39] Alicia shares her knowledge about why beavers were lost from Britain.
[00:22:07] We hear about the Welsh Beaver Project, why it was established, what’s been achieved and where beavers are in Wales.
[00:25:06] Alicia shares some of the concerns that people hold about the reintroduction of Wales and where beavers are currently across the country.
[00:35:12] We discuss the future of beavers in Wales and where you can find out more about the Project.
[00:38:15] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
Rob graciously takes us back to woodland basics in this fascinating episode as we consider the role of trees in addressing the climate and ecological crises. We discuss the unique opportunities presented by the Welsh uplands, the (successful) efforts of bracken to take over the world and the innovative techniques developed by Stump up For Trees as they seek to plant one million trees across the Brecon Beacons.
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Keen to join the WhatsApp community?
Follow this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CrMABch050S1BjiPliTE9h
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Your Hosts:If you’re interested in finding out more about the Highground Charity (who Tom is supporting with his Offa’s Dyke adventure) please go to the following link: https://highground-uk.org
Grange Project Contact & Social Media:Rob Penn is an author, journalist and broadcaster. He has written widely on subjects such as cycling, travel and bread, as well as a number of books about British woodland including the The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees, about the ash tree and Woods: A Celebration, published by the National Trust. He also wrote and presented Tales From the Wildwood, a series for BBC4 about woodland management. As well as being the co-founder and Project Manager of Stump up for Trees, he is patron of the Small Woods Association and set up a local community woodland group.
Find out more at: https://stumpupfortrees.org
Or buy his books at: The Man who Made Things Out of Trees: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-man-who-made-things-out-of-trees-robert-penn/4252570?aid=477&ean=9780141977515&
OR Woods: A Celebration:
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/woods-a-celebration-robert-penn/263376?ean=9781911358114
Listen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe share the latest news from the Grange Project, covering diverse subjects including the pigs (and their ecosystem engineer functions), the Monmouthshire Botany Group and Tom’s latest crazy challenge,
[00:07:55] We introduce our guest, Rob Penn, and start the conversation by considering the importance of trees, including the ecosystem service they provide.
[00:13:50] Rob then explains how we’re doing within the UK in terms of woodland cover (and how that compares internationally) and where we should be planting tees.
[00:21:48] We hear about the attempts of bracken to take over the world, and how it’s being pretty successful within the Welsh uplands.
[00:25:53] Rob then shares with us some of the challenges of planting on the steep bracken banks and the innovative techniques required to address them.
[00:34:54] We discuss what is meant by ‘wood security’ and how this should be considered on an equal footing with food security.
[00:37:27] Chloe asks about sources of funding for tree planting, including government and natural capital.
[00:41:31] We conclude the conversation by hearing about the work of Stump Up For Trees and the joy of working alongside volunteers.
[00:45:22] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
Are you one of the 84.4% of the population that live in an urban setting? In this episode, Elliot and Digby from Citizen Zoo tell us about rewilding projects across London, including the reintroductions of water voles and beavers. We hear about some of the unexpected impacts of these projects, the opportunity to create nature friendly ‘cities of the future’ and some of the opportunities and challenges of urban rewilding.
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Keen to join the WhatsApp community?
Follow this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CrMABch050S1BjiPliTE9h
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Your Hosts:Citizen Zoo is a social enterprise committed to rewilding and conservation, beginning with a group of friends and now ‘rewilding our future, to create a world filled with wildlife’. They currently have a portfolio of projects including: London beavers, Get InVOLEd and Wild Tolworth Farm, with a focus on community and engagement.
Find out more at: www.citizenzoo.org
Listen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe share the latest news from the Grange Project: update on the trees planted in March on the community day, our mixed emotions in the loss of a fallen oak and project pig.
[00:00:00] Elliot and Digby introduce themselves and the mission and structure of Citizen Zoo (including the origins of the name).
[00:00:00] We discuss what is meant by urban rewilding and its importance, with people as the driving force.
[00:00:00] Elliot talks about one of the Citizen Zoo projects launched in 2019: Get InVOLed.
[00:00:00] Elliot and Digby introduce us to one of the flagship projects of the social enterprise: returning beavers to London’s waterways. We particularly reflect on the impact on the local community.
[00:00:00] We talk about the importance of volunteers, nature engagement and the opportunity of cultural diversity in urban settings.
[00:00:00] Tom questions Elliot and Digby about some of the challenges for Citizen Zoo, including the risk of becoming ‘too successful’, the balance between the needs of humans and nature and the importance of flexibility and responsiveness.
[00:00:00] We continue the conversation with a discussion about nature education and engagement, particularly within urban populations.
[00:00:00] Finally, we conclude the conversation by hearing about Wild Tolworth Farm and the opportunity to bring large herbivores into urban settings.
[00:00:00] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
In this inspirational conversation, we start off with the story of the curlew and end up discussing the importance of ‘nature literacy’. Mary’s creativity, passion and determination shine through as we hear about her historic campaign for the curlew, driving forward the natural history GCSE and her hopes for a nature pathway throughout our education system. ‘If you’re prepared to put yourself out there, to be uncomfortable, be vulnerable, do all the hard work, just because you love something, then you will be absolutely amazed about what happens’.
Credit for the curlew call: Merlyn Driver, singer songwriter and nature focused musician, www.merlyndriver.com
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Your HostsMary Colwell is a writer, TV and radio producer and conservationist, whose massive walk across the breadth of the UK in 2016 helped raise the profile of the Curlew, and led her to write the greatly influential Curlew Moon. Mary founded Curlew Action in late-2019 after a series of talks, meetings and forums among experts discussing what was most needed to rescue the rapidly declining UK Curlew population. Mary loves long distance walking, camping, reading and cycling, as well as wildlife and storytelling, and it is her passion for telling the story of the curlew that has helped launch it into the public consciousness in the past few years. If that wasn’t enough, for eleven years, she spearheaded a successful campaign for a GCSE in Natural History.
You can find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-colwell-1202779/?originalSubdomain=uk
Listen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe provide a few quick updates from the Grange Project: planning (again), the arrival of the British Saddlebacks and our collaboration with Youngwilders..
[00:04:16] Mary Colwell joins us and we are introduced to the curlew, why they are so special and we hear an extract of their call.
[00:09:47] Mary helps us reflect on the many factors that are contributing to the decline of the curlew and why Wales has been particularly badly affected.
[00:15:04] Chloe questions Mary about what the systemic solution might be for this systemic problem and how they are indicators of the health of a landscape.
[00:17:59] Mary talks to us about her relationship with curlews and the variety of activities she’s engaged in to help promote their story, as well as how successful this has been.
[00:24:07] We hear about what we can do to address the problems of the natural world; putting yourself out there for what you love.
[00:25:31] Tom and Chloe share their perspective on the importance of education and we hear about Mary’s concern about our lack of nature literacy.
[00:29:10] Mary talks about what she hopes will be achieved as the result of the natural history GCSE and the process of campaigning for its introduction.
[00:37:00] Tom shares his experience of teaching and what he feels might be needed to support teachers in the introduction of this new qualification.
[00:41:59] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
Keen for more:https://www.curlewaction.org to learn about the many projects you could get involved in to help secure the future of the curlew and engage people with nature.
https://teach.ocr.org.uk/naturalhistory for the latest information about the natural history GCSE and its content.
Join the journey of Heal Rewilding as we hear about the mission of the charity, the acquisition of their first site and progress a year later. Jan Stannard, Founder Trustee and Acting CEO, clearly describes the many decisions made by the charity over the last year and the importance of new spaces for nature. We loved the ambition, the insights shared and Jan’s thoughtful reflections.
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Join the Grange Project Community WhatsApp Group. Link here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CrMABch050S1BjiPliTE9h
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Your HostsJan Stannard is a founder-trustee and Acting CEO of Heal Rewilding, which launched in March 2020 to raise money to buy land in England for nature recovery, climate change action and wellbeing. The charity’s goal is to create a new site in every English county, 48 sites in total covering 24,000 acres. Heal acquired its first site, Heal Somerset, in December 2022 which is now open to the public.
Jan moved into the charity sector after 40 years’ experience in business, having served on company boards in the strategic communications and digital marketing sectors. She first became active in campaigning for wildlife in 2015 when she set up a local swift group, which has since organised the installation of hundreds of swift boxes. She also oversaw the largest ever amphibian ladder project in England in 2018, helping to stop migrating toads from drowning in road drains. She has a BA in Geography and a first-class honours degree in Psychology, and while studying for the latter, qualified as an executive coach and trained as a resilience specialist.
[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe provide a few quick updates from the Grange Project: planning (or lack of), our WhatsApp Community Group and Project Pigs.
[00:05:32] We are introduced to Jan Stannard from Heal Rewilding, she describes the inception and mission of Heal and the importance of new spaces for nature.
[00:12:00] Jan describes the process of acquiring their flagship site, Heal Somerset, and the criteria for their sites.
[00:17:55] We talk about one of the experiences offered by Heal - a unique nighttime soundscape experience performance entitled ‘Out of the Darkness’.
[00:21:21] Jan talks about the importance of water on rewilding sites and takes us on a verbal journey around Heal Somerset.
[00:25:27] Chloe raises a question about how to baseline survey a new rewilding project and why it’s important.
[00:29:50] Jan describes what’s happened across the site over the last year and we debate levels of intervention within rewilding.
[00:37:15] Tom questions Jan about the importance of community engagement and the balance of this with nature recovery.
[00:40:09] We conclude the interview with a discussion about the perception of rewilding sites and what people should expect when they come to visit the site, as well as how to get involved with Heal Rewilding.
[00:44:21] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.
Keen for more:The podcast currently has 30 episodes available.