Conservation and Science

• 201: Rewild Your Land with Pádraic Fogarty

  What does it mean to 'rewild' a landscape in Ireland, one of Europe's most nature-poor countries? Can rewilding coexist with traditional farming practices, or must we choose between them? How do we balance the need for biodiversity recovery with the cultural and economic realities of rural communities? These questions are at the heart of this episode as we explore a movement gaining momentum despite misunderstandings about what rewilding actually entails and how it might transform our countryside.Pádraic Fogarty returns to share his new initiative, "Rewild Your Land", a consultancy and growing network helping landowners transition their properties to more natural states. Unlike traditional conservation, which manages ecosystems for specific outcomes, rewilding focuses on kickstarting natural processes and letting nature determine the path forward. Pádraic explains how this approach fits within Ireland's specific context, where, despite our green image, we preserve just 1-2% of our native woodland compared to the 80% forest cover that once existed.We discuss the tensions between farming and conservation, examining how rewilding isn't anti-rural but could diversify economic opportunities in rural areas. Pádraic emphasised the need for community buy-in, scientific backing, and government support to make meaningful environmental change. He outlines his vision for the future: landowners in every county embracing rewilding, NGOs and community groups participating and perhaps most ambitiously, a large-scale rewilding project that proudly declares its intentions rather than hiding behind different terminology.Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook

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• 200: Deer Management in Ireland with Ashley Glover

  Is Ireland ready to tackle its growing deer management challenges? How will the new national deer management programme impact hunters, landowners, and conservation efforts? What role do thermal imaging technologies play in modern wildlife management? In this milestone 200th episode of Conservation and Science, we welcome back Ashley Glover, a conservationist, master huntsman, and long-time friend of the podcast. Recording from Wicklow Wolf Brewery, we celebrate this special occasion by diving into the significant changes coming to Irish deer management. From there, we discuss many more Irish conservation and nature restoration-related topics.Ashley shares valuable insights on the recently introduced national deer management strategy, including the establishment of 15 deer management units across Ireland. We explore the complexities surrounding implementation, from landowner engagement to data collection methods and hunter integration. The conversation highlights ongoing policy conflicts, such as how to manage deer on state lands, and addresses critical issues like deer-vehicle collisions and the humane dispatch programme. Ashley explains how thermal imaging has revolutionised deer counting and tracking, making wildlife management more effective and evidence-based.Beyond deer, we discuss other pressing conservation matters in Ireland, including invasive American mink control and the challenges of predator management for protecting ground-nesting birds. Ashley offers valuable perspectives on balancing conservation needs with hunting traditions and the importance of mentoring new hunters. In our conversation, we examine Ireland's conservation landscape, highlighting both the progress made and the significant work still needed to address policy conflicts in biodiversity management, peatland restoration, and sustainable land use.Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and FacebookMentioned in this episode:DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organisation. The participants are expressing their personal opinions and perspectives.

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• 199: Circumnavigating the Globe for Science with Bert terHart

  Can one person sailing solo around the world contribute to scientific knowledge? What happens when you encounter illegal fishing vessels in the middle of the ocean? How can we address the growing crisis of plastic pollution in our seas? In this episode, we dive into these questions with Bert Terhart, a scientist, explorer and entrepreneur who circumnavigated the globe alone on his sailing yacht, conducting citizen science along the way.During our conversation, Bert shares his first-hand observations of environmental challenges facing our oceans, from illegal fishing fleets operating with impunity to the stark reality of plastic pollution. We discuss how he worked with researchers to track ocean currents, monitor microplastics and count endangered albatross populations during his journey. Bert offers a shocking statistic: for some commercially exploited species of fish, approximately 80% of the commercial catches are illegal or unregulated, highlighting how enforcement remains one of our biggest environmental challenges.Beyond observations, we explore how individuals and businesses can engage positively with environmental issues. Bert emphasises the importance of persistence in creating meaningful change and discusses how new technologies, including AI, might help solve complex environmental problems. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about our future, believing that human ingenuity and our ability to adapt will ultimately outpace our capacity for environmental destruction – if we can combine good science with effective policy and consistent action.Further reading:Bert's Personal Website (bertterhart.com)The 5 Great Capes | Around alone via the 5 Great CapesSubscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook---Bert terHart, self-described as 'soldier, sailor, scientist, adventurer, serial entrepreneur and author', just seems to have a knack for knocking off the impossible. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Explorer in Residence for the BC Historical Society, Founder of the Canadian Interactive Waterways Initiative, CEO of LeadBrain.ai, and author of, among others, the children's book 'Sir Salty Goes to Sea', Bert has sailed solo, non-stop around the world, into the Bering Sea, and out to the Aleutian Islands all in an effort to follow in the wake of some of the world's greatest explorers and cartographers. In the same vein, he paddled solo, across Canada from the Pacific to Atlantic Oceans covering more than 7800kms by foot and canoe. What's coming next is even more extreme. Or crazy. Bert terHart has had a life-long passion for the oceans and oceanography. With advanced degrees in math, physics and physical oceanography, he has studied the role the world's

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• 198: Living with Wolves - The Complete Guide to Coexistence

  I feel like this episode is the ultimate guide to understanding coexistence with wolves. Once again I talk with ecological anthropologist Thorsten Gieser, this time about his excellent book “Living with Wolves: Affects, Feelings and Sentiments in Human-Wolf Coexistence”. In the episode, Thorsten recounts a tense atmosphere during the visit to a wolf kill site. We also talk about understanding emotions that are sparked by wolves, and we discuss the recent decision to lower the protection status of wolves in the EU.During our conversation, Thorsten draws from his extensive fieldwork across Germany where he witnessed firsthand the aftermath of wolf attacks on livestock. He explains the unique psychological impact wolves have on communities, stemming from both their distinctive hunting methods, which he describes in terms of "necroaesthetics", and centuries of cultural conditioning. We examine the political dimensions of wolf management across Europe and explore the often contradictory attitudes within hunting communities, who historically viewed wolves as competitors rather than fellow predators. Thorsten challenges common narratives, addressing how conspiracy theories about wolf reintroduction persist despite clear evidence of natural recolonisation.Moving beyond practical considerations, we discuss Thorsten's concept of “affect-guided thinking” in wildlife management, an approach that acknowledges emotional responses without being driven solely by them. The discussion explores the “queasy feeling” many experience in wolf territories and the emotional resilience required for true coexistence. Rather than focusing exclusively on protection levels or culling quotas, Thorsten argues we must confront more fundamental questions: How do we distinguish between legitimate concerns and fear-mongering? What emotions should we cultivate to share landscapes with these controversial predators? And how might we develop the psychological capacity to live alongside animals that challenge our sense of control over nature?Buy Thorsten's Book 📚 HERESubscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and FacebookTommy’s Outdoors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk

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• Podcasthon: IWDG and IWT

  Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Irish Wildlife Trust.This episode is part of the global Podcasthon initiative, in which podcasters worldwide dedicate one episode to their chosen charity. To maximise impact, all episodes are published in a single week. I’m showcasing two of the most influential Irish environmental charities: the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and the Irish Wildlife Trust.The conversation with Pádraig Whooley from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group reveals the challenges facing marine life in Irish waters. Pádraig explains how they've expanded from focusing solely on sightings and strandings to include welfare issues for living stranded animals. He discusses alarming changes in whale behaviour, linking them to destructive fishing practices where large trawlers target vital forage fish that form the foundation of marine ecosystems. Pádraig emphasises that successful conservation would involve implementing bans on industrial-scale fishing in Irish coastal waters and establishing meaningful marine protected areas—not just 'paper parks' but properly managed conservation zones.Kieran Flood from the Irish Wildlife Trust shares insights into one of Ireland's longest-established nature charities. Founded in 1979, the organisation focuses on protecting and restoring Ireland's natural heritage through education, advocacy, and developing nature reserves. Kieran explains that despite Ireland's green reputation, Irish biodiversity faces serious threats from intensive agriculture, forestry practices, and industrial fishing. The trust is currently focusing on supporting the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law, campaigning for effective marine protected areas through the Fair Seas coalition, and expanding their rewilding projects. He emphasises that perhaps the most important change needed is a fundamental shift in how people understand their connection to nature, recognising that humans are not separate from the natural world but an integral part of it.Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science NewsletterSupport the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee.Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/booksMerch: tommysoutdoors.com/shopFollow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook

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