Nature"s a Hoot

With another national lockdown in place, we realise again how vital nature is to making us feel better and so in this special episode we ask the question 'What is your favourite thing about nature?'. Listeners send in their best bits about wildlife and we get inspired by all the answers!

Episode 6 of Nature’s a Hoot is all about involving local communities in conservation initiative. Hannah interviews our special guest, Kevin Cumming, from the Langholm Initiative, about the successful community buyout of 5200 acres of the Buccleuch Estate in Scotland. Hannah and Tom chat about why involving the local community is important in conservation, both in developing and developed countries.

Join Hannah and Tom as they discuss the research and dedication that goes into rewilding projects and the benefits they can have on habitats and the ecosystems that rely on them. Tom heads to the Cotswolds to meet Tabitha Rose – a landowner who has decided to turn her 70 acres of farmland and woodland into a haven for wildlife.

It’s easy to feel a bit down in winter as the nights draw in, with shorter days and less time to get outdoors. We discuss the importance of spending time in nature, even in the winter! Hannah also chats to our guest, Dr Kayleigh Wyles, an environmental psychologist from Surrey University, about her work with citizen science and nature connection, and an exciting study we’ve been working on together at the Trust exploring the impact wildlife can have on our well-being.

We give our reaction to the recently televised Extinction: The Facts programme, pondering the state of our natural world,and talk to up-and-coming conservationist and broadcaster, Indy Greene about his experiences as a young wildlife enthusiast.

Join Hannah and Tom as they talk all about some of the most elusive creatures to call our British fields and woodlands home - the owls. Plus find out more about the work the Hawk Conservancy Trust does to support them in the wild. We’ll also be chatting about the successful reintroduction of a mammal to the River Otter in Devon which hasn’t be resident in England for 400 years!

Meet the hosts of Nature's a Hoot, Hannah and Tom, in this - the very first episode! Join us as we talk about what inspires us, how Covid-19 might have impacted wildlife across the world and our very first top tip for helping nature to thrive where you live.