Wilder Podcast

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. *********SIGN UP for the VOLUNTEERS DAY: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/volunteers-day*********Your Hosts:Tom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/Grange Project Contact & Social Media:Email: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our Guest: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.Mentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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

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.*********SIGN UP for the VOLUNTEERS DAY: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/volunteers-day*********Your Hosts:Tom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/Grange Project Contact & Social Media:Email: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our Guests: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:Claudia Elliot, who provided comms and media consultancy for organisations and individuals working for social, economic or environmental justice. https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-elliot-884b811b/Gerry O’Brien, a nature connection specialist who is currently working as a environmental education at forest ranger in the Forest of Dean.https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerry-o-brien-51007323/OllyEmbercombe 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 FarmIn 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=9781509805105Mentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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

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. *********SIGN UP for the COMMUNITY DAY: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/volunteers-day*********Your Hosts:Tom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/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.orgGrange Project Contact & Social Media:Email: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our Guest: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: https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/welshbeaverprojecthttps://www.facebook.com/beaverafancListen out for:[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.Mentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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

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. *****************************************************Keen to join the WhatsApp community?Follow this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CrMABch050S1BjiPliTE9h*****************************************************Your Hosts:Tom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/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.orgGrange Project Contact & Social Media:Email: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our Guest: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.orgOr 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=9781911358114Listen 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.Mentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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

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. *****************************************************Keen to join the WhatsApp community?Follow this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CrMABch050S1BjiPliTE9h*****************************************************Your Hosts:Tom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/Grange Project Contact & Social Media:Email: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our Guests: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.orgListen 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.Mentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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 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*****************************************************Interested in becoming a Wild Steward?Reach out to jack@youngwilders.uk*****************************************************Your HostsTom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/Grange Project Contact & Social MediaEmail: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our GuestMary 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.Mentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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

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.*****************************************************Join the Grange Project Community WhatsApp Group. Link here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CrMABch050S1BjiPliTE9h*****************************************************Your HostsTom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/Grange Project Contact & Social MediaEmail: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our Guest:Jan 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.You can find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janstannardListen out for:[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:https://www.healrewilding.org.uk for information about the charity and the Heal 3x3 sponsorship scheme.https://www.healsomerset.org.uk for details of the Heal Somerset site, as well as local events and volunteering opportunities.Wonderful video documenting the installation of a wildlife pond and the ecosystem created: https://youtu.be/4LvaX748pVI?si=RVeGBj1qZizRdvFoMentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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 delightful chat with Frank, we start to make sense of why our relationship to food is so critical for the climate. We explore a range of topics including the scary impact of food waste, the challenge of our meat and dairy consumption and the role of social tipping points. As well as the science, Frank also shares with us his vision of the ‘good life’ and the benefits of this for our wellbeing and the planet.Your HostsTom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/Grange Project Contact & Social MediaEmail: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our GuestFrank Holleman is the co-founder of the Fork Ranger, which creates beautiful products to help us eat more sustainably, including a cookbook, seasonal calendar and a wonderfully engaging app. Frank has a background in communications before beginning Fork Ranger in 2019, you can follow him on Linkedin or learn more about Fork Ranger via their website, links below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollemanfrank/?originalSubdomain=nlListen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe share their reflections on the success of the Grange Project’s first volunteers day (more in the article link below).[00:] Frank introduces himself and his rationale behind starting the Fork Ranger, specifically the critical role food can play in addressing climate change.[00:] We begin to explore the impact of food waste, including the differences between avoidable, partly avoidable and unavoidable waste.[00:] Frank shares the importance of not heading for ‘perfection’ in our sustainable food choices.[00:] We then begin a conversation about the relationship between livestock and sustainable eating, specifically considering the role of land use. [00:] Tom questions Frank about our nutritional needs and whether they can be met by an entirely plant based diet.[00:] Frank highlights the difference between food consumption and production and we talk about the hope he holds for the future in our relationship to food.[00:] We consider whether we can make a difference at an individual level and how food really matters.[00:] Frank shares some research around social tipping points and Chloe and Tom share an example of their journey, with meat and diary becoming ‘luxury products’.[00:] We conclude the interview with Frank’s vision of the ‘Good Life’; less flying, more adventures, less stuff and more memories.[00] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.Keen for more:www.forkranger.com for all of the Fork Ranger products, don’t forget to use our 10% discount code of ‘Grange’ when you make your purchases!https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/articles/the-five-things-to-avoid-when-hosting-a-volunteers-day for our article reflecting on the volunteers day.Mentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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

As the majority of the UK population lives within an urban environment, it’s critical that ‘wilder nature’ is not the privilege of the rural landscape. Stephen Mason, Community Parks Officer at Cheltenham Borough Council, shares practical examples of what rewilding can look like in a semi-urban context, how to bring people along with the journey and the benefits for people, places and nature alike. ************SIGN UP for the VOLUNTEERS DAY: https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/volunteers-day************Your HostsTom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/Grange Project Contact & Social MediaEmail: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our GuestStephen Mason is the Community Parks Officer for Cheltenham Borough Council. He is passionate about nature, rewilding, volunteering and engaging communities, and is delighted to be paid for doing the work he loves!https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mason-926893259/https://www.facebook.com/cheltenhamparksListen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe share a lengthy update on the Grange Project, discussing the plan for the volunteers day, the dilemmas of health and safety, and what they’ve learnt about native trees and tree protection.[00:] Stephen introduces himself and the role of a Community Parks Officer.[00:] We discuss the importance of context and what ‘rewilding’ means in a semi-urban to Cheltenham Borough Council, for example the creation of a wild-flower meadow in a heritage park within the town.[00:] Stephen shares the consultation process involved with making changes to community green spaces and how the council are working to engage and educate people.[00:] We then talk about a community orchard project, including a scrape, and the benefits for nature and the local residents.[00:] Chloe talks about her experiences working in mental health and the value of green prescribing and engaging young people with nature. [00:] Stephen shares more examples including veternising a mature sycamore tree in order to create wildlife habitats and the importance of a mosaic of habitats. [00:] We end the interview with Stephen by discussing the challenges of dispersal and wildlife corridors within a semi-urban environment.[00] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.Keen for more:https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/info/33/parks_and_open_spaces/1816/weavers_field - the link for Weavers Field, Community Orchard ProjectMentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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

Chantal’s passion for the wild boar exudes throughout this interview as we discuss the role the boar plays in habitat-regeneration, the challenge they present for their human neighbours and how they might just be rewilding us? Following the success of her recently published book ‘Groundbreakers - The return of Britain’s wild boar’, Chantal indulged our stories from the forest as we reflected on the myths, the debates and the opportunities of living alongside these complex animals.Your HostsTom Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Chloe Constable: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-constable-24155821b/Grange Project Contact & Social MediaEmail: hello@grangeproject.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grange.project/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/grangeprojectYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrangeProjectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-constable/Our GuestChantal is a naturalist, writer and science communicator. Having grown up in the tidy countryside of Kent, her encounters with the growing rewilding movement opened her eyes to the potential for restoring nature in Britain, and inspired her to study the relations between people and wild boar in the Forest of Dean. She currently lives in Cheltenham, never too far from the boar. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantallyons/https://chantallyons.ukListen out for:[00:00:00] Tom and Chloe share an update from the Grange Project, specifically Tom’s first experience of a local community council meeting.[00:05:22] We welcome Chantal to the podcast and she describes her background and how found herself writing a book about wild boar.[00:09:08] Chantal gives us a history of wild boar in the UK and how they contribute to our ecosystems.[00:17:05] Tom describes the effects of wild boar disturbance and the hazards of running in the forest.[00:21:42] Chloe questions Chantal about some of the challenges of humans coexisting alongside wild boar, including disturbance and the ‘threat’ they present.[00:28:00] Chantal reports how the wild boar have started to ‘rewild’ people. [00:35:20] We discuss how Forestry England have worked to achieve a balance between the boar, the ecosystem and the people that live alongside them.[00:38:35] Chantal describes two possible futures for our relationship with the wild boar.[00:43:42] Chloe and Tom reflect on the interview and what resonated most for them.Keen for more:To purchase Chantal’s wonderful book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/groundbreakers-the-return-of-britain-s-wild-boar-chantal-lyons/7453304?ean=9781399401630Mentioned in this episode:Visit & Stay at the Grange ProjectWould 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