Conservation and Science

This week, I have two episodes for you. One is the usual release of my podcast and the other is a podcast where I sat in the guest's seat.

In episode 202, I was delighted to welcome back Patrick Galbraith to talk about his second book, 'Uncommon Ground: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Countryside'. You might already have heard about it as it received glowing reviews in the press. Of course, writing about a topic as emotive as land access - sometimes referred to in a simplified manner as 'right to roam' - was bound to create controversy. I expect that some of you might have strong opinions on this subject, in which case I encourage you to press that reply button and share them with me.

The second listen in this newsletter is the episode of the Sustainability Transformations Podcast titled 'Biodiversity, Human-Wildlife Interaction, Conservation'. This time I was answering excellent questions asked by its host Enock Ebbah. More about this podcast and links to the episode below.

Uncommon Ground with Patrick Galbraith

Are we being locked out of the countryside, or is the narrative around land access more complex than it seems? How can we navigate the competing demands of farmers, conservationists, and recreational users? In Patrick's new book "Uncommon Ground: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Countryside", he tackles the contentious topic of land access in Britain - revealing perspectives that challenge both sides of the debate. From questioning the famous "8% access" statistic to exploring deeper issues of engagement with nature, this episode delves beyond the simplistic narratives that often dominate the conversation.

Throughout our discussion, Patrick shares his journey researching this divisive topic, which surprisingly led him to change his own views along the way. We explore the distinction between mere access and meaningful engagement with nature, hearing stories from Romany Gypsies, conservationists, farmers, and access campaigners. Patrick reflects on how many of those calling for unfettered access lack basic knowledge about wildlife, such as ground-nesting birds, whilst some landowners remain disconnected from the very land they own. The conversation reveals how political ideologies often overshadow the practical matters of land management and conservation.

Beyond the polarised debate, we consider what positive change might look like. Patrick suggests that rather than focusing solely on access rights, we should be examining how to create meaningful engagement opportunities - whether through educational initiatives with local schools, community involvement in conservation, or subsidies tied to public engagement. As our countryside faces increasing pressure from a growing population, finding common ground becomes essential. This episode challenges listeners to move past tribal positions and consider how we might better balance the needs of people, wildlife, and the land that sustains us all.

202: Uncommon Ground with Patrick Galbraith

Buy Uncommon Ground by Patrick Galbraith

Sustainability Transformation

I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Sustainability Transformations Podcast. In this conversation, I emphasised the critical importance of biodiversity and the inherent connection between biodiversity loss and climate change - two sides of the same environmental crisis. Furthermore, we discussed the shifting baseline syndrome and how urbanisation affects our relationship with nature. We also explored the challenges businesses face in adopting sustainable practices and the importance of incremental, positive reinforcement.

My central message remains that education about biodiversity and its importance is perhaps our most powerful conservation tool, helping people understand how their daily choices impact the natural world and can create the societal shift we desperately need. If you're interested in these topics, you can find the full conversation below, on Spotify and YouTube.

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

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