The Life Scientific Tony Juniper on parrots, princes and environmental protection
Jan 20, 2026
Tony Juniper, an environmentalist and chair of Natural England, shares his inspiring journey from saving endangered parrots, including the remarkable Spix's macaw, to advising the Royal Household on sustainability. He discusses the critical link between nature and humanity's future, advocating for a balanced approach that recognizes nature as vital infrastructure. With optimism, he reflects on his efforts in conservation, including landscape recovery projects and the importance of educating children about the environment, while envisioning a hopeful future beyond his current role.
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Nature And Human Future Are One
- Tony Juniper sees the environmental crisis with both terror and optimism, believing rapid change is possible.
- He argues nature protection and human well-being are fundamentally inseparable and must be pursued together.
Embed Nature In National Infrastructure
- Make nature recovery central to economic, health, food and water policy rather than an optional add-on.
- Use ecosystem restoration to enhance national infrastructure, resilience and public well-being.
Teaching Kids In The Outdoors
- Early in his career Juniper worked taking schoolchildren into local woodlands, wetlands and grasslands to build connection with nature.
- He credits that hands-on exposure with inspiring lifelong environmental engagement and improving well-being.
