Wilder Podcast

No guest this week. Just Tom and Chloe with a drink, a lot to catch up on, and roughly an hour to get through it all.
It's been 18 months since the last proper project update and quite a lot has happened. 4,000 trees planted. A tiny forest that nearly died twice and is now over six feet tall. A market garden. A distillery in the barn. A charity. Four schools through the gate in one week. And an otter, which felt significant.
This is the third update episode - episode 9 was the start, episode 29 was one year in. This one's the most honest of the three.
What We Cover
Restoring More Nature
The trees, the dragon's nests, and what happens when you prepare the ground properly
Why the tiny forest survived a drought, deer, and voles - and is now extraordinary
The wood meadow: a rare habitat, hand-scythed by the community, and why it matters
The pond that failed, then gave us house martins, a kestrel, and an otter
The pig situation (it got complicated)
The cow debate: October, says Chloe. Tom is less sure
Breeding birds: double the species recorded between 2024 and 2025
Naturfa Pathway: one of four sites selected across Wales by the Welsh Government

Producing More Food
From silage grassland to 50-100+ varieties of fruit and veg - and why that matters for food security
The cathedral polytunnel, the duck pond, the new orchard, and chickens planned for under the trees
Courses launching this summer: market gardening, agroforestry, mushroom growing, seed saving and more
What it actually means when the food you grew feeds the people who came to help grow it

Contributing to the Local Economy
From two tractor drivers twenty days a year to six people working on site
Wilder Spirits: pre-orders open 2 April. The first spirit distilled on a rewilding site in Wales, in a paper bottle
Platform Nature: 20 founding partners from Wildlife Trusts to a koala sanctuary in Australia
The Grange Hub, Wilder Away Days, and why Tom talks about money on a nature podcast
Revenue transparency: what the first six months actually generated

Connecting More People to Wilder Nature
Wilder Connections charity: Chloe's co-design phase with schools across Monmouthshire
What happened when a group of teenagers asked if they could hug a tree
Monthly open days: selling out a month in advance
Hopes for the rest of 2026 - and why Tom wants everyone to slow down a little

Timestamps
00:00 - Tom's opening confession
01:31 - What we said on episode 29, and how much has changed
05:44 - The four pillars explained
07:04 - 28,000 listeners, 125 countries, and someone in Cape Town saving for their own rewilding site
07:53 - PILLAR 1: Restoring More Nature
08:12 - 4,000+ trees, dragon's nests, and the saplings finally breaking through
10:43 - Tiny Forest: 98% survival, over six feet tall, future outdoor classroom
13:59 - Hedgerows: planted, lost to drought, replanted
15:36 - Wood Meadow: what it is, why it's rare, and a lot of hand-scything
18:44 - Deer: why culling became unavoidable, and the experiment with over-planting
22:24 - The pond that collapsed - and then gave us house martins, a kestrel and an otter
26:39 - Voles everywhere, and what doubling bird species in one year actually means
27:13 - Pigs: what went wrong, what's coming next, and the ecological case for them
31:21 - The cow debate
33:54 - Welsh Rewilding Alliance: founding members
34:02 - Naturfa Pathway: recognised by the Welsh Government
35:05 - PILLAR 2: Producing More Food
35:37 - How a market garden ended up being run by the people who said they wouldn't run it
37:47 - Ducks, chickens, and the orchard
41:54 - 50-100+ varieties: why growing diversity is also food security
43:29 - From least to most efficient food production on the same land
44:33 - PILLAR 3: Contributing to the Local Economy
44:33 - Wilder Spirits: the distillery, the story, the paper bottle, 2 April
47:13 - Mark, Sandy, and why six people working on site matters
48:18 - Platform Nature: what it is, who's using it, and where it's going
52:31 - The Grange Hub: opened by the Future Generations Commissioner
53:13 - Wilder Away Days: NHS to corporate
55:23 - Why talking about money is part of the project
56:38 - Cabins: off Airbnb, direct only, and why that was the right call
57:34 - Revenue transparency: the real numbers from the first six months
58:39 - PILLAR 4: Connecting More People to Wilder Nature
58:58 - Wilder Connections: what the charity is, and why Chloe built it
01:01:11 - Four schools in one week
01:02:01 - Teenagers, sticks, and what co-design actually looks like
01:04:10 - The oak tree moment
01:05:38 - Open days: what they are, and why April sold out a month early
01:06:35 - Hopes for the rest of 2026
Links and Resources
The Grange Project
grangeproject.co.uk
Wilder Spirits - pre-orders open 2 April 2026
wilderspirits.co.uk
Wilder Connections - Chloe's charity for nature connection in young people
wilderconnections.charity
Wilder Away Days - nature-centred corporate experiences
wilderawaydays.co.uk
Platform Nature - tools for nature restoration projects
platformnature.com
Leave Curious - Rob's rewilding YouTube channel (120,000 subscribers)
https://www.youtube.com/@CuriousLeave
Dayhike Magazine - the magazine Tom said had him turning every page
dayhike.co.uk
Book an open day or open morning at the Grange Project
grangeproject.co.uk
Previous Update Episodes
Episode 9 - Building the Ultimate Mosaic: A Grange Project Update
https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-009-building-the-ultimate-mosaic-a-grange-projectnbspupdate
Episode 29 - Failure and Success: 12 Months of Rewilding at the Grange Project
https://www.grangeproject.co.uk/wilder-podcast/ep-029-failure-and-success-12-months-of-rewilding-at-the-grange-project

🦩 Did you make it to the end?
If you listened all the way through, send us an email with just one word: Flamingo
[email protected]
It tells us you're here, and it means more than you'd think.
Subscribe and Follow
If this episode made you want to see what's happening on the land, get updates on the distillery, or just come for a walk - all the links are above.
To support the podcast: share it with one person who'd genuinely find it interesting. That's it. That's all we ask.

In this conversation, we update you on two big milestones for the Grange Project, the launch of the Welsh Rewilding Alliance and our OECM recognition, before sitting down with Professor Mike Berners‑Lee.
We ask Mike to explain the polycrisis: how climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, food insecurity and geopolitical instability are all interlinked. Mike helps us see why recycling alone won’t cut it: plastics are produced almost entirely from fossil fuels, their emissions could eat up a large chunk of the remaining carbon budget and their additives disrupt hormones.
We also talk about why technology by itself isn’t enough, how misinformation slows progress and what practical steps we can all take-like switching to trustworthy media and supporting a national information campaign to wake up and act.
Episode journey:
[00:05] Introduction and mission. We open the show by explaining why we started the Wilder Podcast: to share our learning about rewilding and the wider forces shaping our world. We remind listeners that we created the Grange Project two and a half years ago to restore nature, grow food, support eco‑businesses and reconnect people with land.
[02:24] Two big updates. We proudly announce the launch of the Welsh Rewilding Alliance and its report A Welsh Way to Wild. We also share that the Grange Project has been recognised by the Welsh Government as an OECM, a big step in confirming that our land management has rigorous governance and real biodiversity benefits.
[07:08] Introducing Professor Mike Berners‑Lee. We explain how we first encountered Mike’s work-reading There Is No Planet B inspired us to buy the farm and start the Grange Project. Mike introduces himself as a professor, consultant and author.
[11:09] What is the polycrisis? Mike explains that the polycrisis is a tangle of interconnected challenges driven by humanity’s unprecedented power. He emphasises that disasters like pandemics and wars no longer happen in isolation; their severity comes from the cascading effects they unleash. For us, it was eye‑opening to see how our economic and political systems amplify these stresses.
[16:58] Examples of cascading crises. We discuss real‑world examples: the COVID‑19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine amplifying food and energy crises. Mike highlights that plastic production has boomed since the 1950s and plastics are a major source of emissions and endocrine disruption. It reinforced for us how everything is connected.
[20:43] Wake‑up call and the National Emergency Briefing. Mike tells us about the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster, where experts covered nine dimensions of the crisis from health and food to national security and no one thought the situation was exaggerated. We both feel this shows how widely the severity of the crisis is recognised and why we need national action.
[23:05] Misinformation and media ownership. We explore how misinformation is blocking progress. Mike challenges the narratives that climate action will leave us poorer and colder, and explains how social‑media algorithms spread disinformation. We urge you to choose trustworthy news sources and recognise manipulation.
[29:14] Techno‑optimism vs. systemic change. Mike says that simply scaling up renewables isn’t enough. He points out that although renewable capacity has grown massively, fossil energy use has also climbed, so overall emissions keep rising. That’s why systemic measures like carbon pricing and fossil‑fuel constraints are critical.
[33:35] Human psychology and leadership. Together we discuss why people aren’t inherently selfish. Neuroscience and social history suggest we can cultivate cooperation and empathy. Mike encourages us to seek leaders who are kind and honest, and we talk about the courage it takes to speak up and push for change.
[47:19] Calls to action. We finish by encouraging you to sign the letter at nebriefing.org, host local screenings of the briefing film and start conversations in your community. Mike notes that facing these issues head‑on feels liberating, we felt it too.
[49:05] Host reflections. After the interview, we reflect on our own nerves and gratitude for Mike’s clarity. We discuss doing a mini‑series on the individual crises and debate whether information alone prompts action. We conclude that people need both facts and relatable stories of hopeful change.
About the guest:
We were honoured to speak with Mike Berners‑Lee, a professor at Lancaster University and founder of Small World Consulting. He advises organisations on sustainability and wrote There Is No Planet B and A Climate of Truth. Mike is known for making complex issues accessible and for advocating systemic solutions to interlinked crises.
Resources and links:
National Emergency Briefing – A national information briefing on the climate and nature crisis with expert videos, action guides and community‑screening resources. Learn more at https://nebriefing.org.
The Welsh Way to Wild report – The Welsh Rewilding Alliance’s report sets out a practical vision for rewilding in Wales. Download the report at https://rewildingalliance.cymru/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Welsh-Rewilding-Alliance-Report-2026.pdf.
Small World Consulting – Mike Berners‑Lee’s consultancy helps organisations understand sustainability challenges and thrive in a volatile world. Visit https://www.sw-consulting.co.uk.
There Is No Planet B – Mike Berners‑Lee’s handbook on climate, biodiversity and practical solutions. Learn more and find retailers at https://theresnoplanetb.net .
A Climate of Truth – Mike’s latest book explores honesty in politics, media and business as a critical lever for tackling the polycrisis. Details and purchase links are at https://climateoftruth.co.uk.
National Emergency Briefing open letter – Add your name to the open letter calling for a televised national emergency briefing at https://nebriefing.org/open-letter-keir.
Screw This, Let’s Try Something Else – A hopeful podcast featuring community-led projects that are changing food, energy and housing systems. Listen on Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screw-this-lets-try-something-else/id1863391095.
The Grange Project – Our own rewilding project in Monmouthshire, where we experiment with nature restoration, food growing and eco‑business. Learn more at https://grangeproject.co.uk.

Why this episode matters
As rewilders, we see how climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, public health and social instability are woven together. This episode shows that tackling one issue in isolation isn’t enough we need to change the systems that drive multiple crises and challenge misinformation. By combining big‑picture analysis with concrete steps, from signing a letter to choosing better media, we hope to inspire you to join us in building a more hopeful, resilient future.

Chloe and Tom speak with Gwenni Jenkins-Jones and Eben Muse from Tir Natur, a Welsh rewilding charity working to establish Wales’s largest rewilding site. The conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities for rewilding in Wales and why this moment represents a turning point for nature recovery in the country.
Tir Natur recently secured a 1,195-acre landscape in the Doethïe Valley in the Cambrian Mountains, creating a rare opportunity to demonstrate what large-scale ecosystem restoration could look like within a distinctly Welsh cultural and ecological context. The discussion moves beyond ecology alone, examining how rewilding intersects with language, rural communities, land ownership, farming identity and the future of the countryside.
This episode is both hopeful and honest. It explores the realities of nature loss in Wales, the misconceptions surrounding rewilding and the importance of community participation in restoring landscapes. At its heart is a powerful idea: that restoring nature is not about removing people from the land, but about rebuilding relationships between people, place and the living systems that sustain both.
Tir Natur Crowdfunder – Support the charity’s fundraising appeal for Wales’s largest rewilding project. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tirnatur
Key topics & chapter markers
[00:05] – Introduction & project updates. Chloe and Tom welcome listeners, recount the story of spotting an unexpected otter on their land, apologise to “Pig Sheep Man Paul” for previous sheep‑related frustrations and announce a series of learning events at the Grange Project.
[06:28] – Meet Gwenni & Eben. Guests introduce themselves: Gwenni recently became Tir Natur’s fundraising manager after volunteering for a year, while Eben volunteers in planning, community engagement and translation in addition to his day job in access conservation. They describe Tir Natur as a volunteer‑powered charity whose name means “nature’s land”.
[08:30] – Why Wales needed Tir Natur. Rewilding projects in England and Scotland inspired action, yet Wales lacked a dedicated rewilding charity. Gwenni recounts that frustration with stalled government action and the desire to create a Welsh flagship site led to Tir Natur’s founding.
[09:40] – What ‘rewilding’ means to Tir Natur. Eben and Gwenni define rewilding as restoring whole ecosystems rather than managing single species. They plan to use hardy grazer, cattle, ponies and pigs to create a mosaic of habitats and make the landscape resilient to climate change.
[13:06] – The Welsh context. Eben outlines sobering statistics: Wales scores around 37 % on the Biological Intactness Index and 90% of its peat bogs are in poor condition. Agricultural pollution has degraded rivers, and political parties are reluctant to prioritise nature. Gwenni notes that shifting baselines mean many people have forgotten what a healthy landscape looks like.
[20:50] – Navigating rewilding’s reputation. Gwenni acknowledges past projects that failed to engage communities and insists Tir Natur will listen to local voices, retain the farmer on the productive part of the land and ensure access rather than exclusion. Eben rejects profit‑driven rewilding and stresses that land should serve communities, not corporate reputations.
[30:00] – A 1 195‑acre canvas for rewilding. Gwenni paints a picture of the Doethïe site: 1 195 acres with two rivers, 160 acres of degraded peat ready for restoration and 55 historic features including ancient farmsteads. The charity plans early interventions such as peatland rewetting and river restoration, followed by the introduction of grazing animals to kick‑start natural processes.
[38:40] – Next steps & call to action. The first priorities after purchase are community engagement, bringing in hardy grazers and restoring peatlands. Gwenni invites listeners to visit the site, volunteer, share expertise or donate. Fundraising continues to finish purchasing the land and begin restoration.
About the guests
Gwenni Jenkins‑Jones is the fundraising manager for Tir Natur. After volunteering for a year, she now leads fundraising and community engagement for the charity, using her professional skills to connect donors with a shared vision for rewilding. Email: [email protected]
Eben Mewes works in access conservation and is an ambassador for Campaign for National Parks. He volunteers with Tir Natur, focusing on planning, community outreach and translation. Motivated by frustration with policy in Wales, he sees the new rewilding site as a chance to show what’s possible and to reconnect people with their landscapes.
Resources & links
Tir Natur – Charity website – Learn about the organisation’s vision for a Wales where wild nature and communities thrive together. https://www.tirnatur.cymru/
Tir Natur – “The Land” – Explore the 1 195‑acre Doethïe site in the Cambrian Mountains, including peatbogs, river corridors and plans for natural grazing. https://www.tirnatur.cymru/the-land
Guardian article – News piece covering Tír Natur’s £2.2 million purchase of the 1 195‑acre site, its restoration goals and plans for hardy grazers. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/15/welsh-charity-buys-more-than-405-hectares-for-rewilding
Tir Natur Crowdfunder – Support the charity’s fundraising appeal for Wales’s largest rewilding project. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tirnatur

Connect with the Wilder Podcast
Listen & subscribe: Follow the Wilder Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite app and leave a rating to help others discover the show.
Support rewilding: Visit the Tir Natur website, volunteer, donate or share the project with friends. Grassroots action and community support will determine the success of this flagship site.

Tom and Chloe sit down with Clare from Planton farm to explore what regenerative agriculture really means. Drawing on Claire’s journey from the conventional food industry into regenerative farming, the conversation explores why our current food system is under strain and how working with nature offers a viable, hopeful alternative.
Together they explore soil health, livestock grazing, culture change in farming, and the realities farmers face when trying to shift away from extractive systems. From cattle as “ecosystem engineers” to the surprising role chickens can play in regeneration, this episode is a grounded, honest look at food, farming and the mindset shifts required to restore landscapes while keeping farms viable.
Key topics & chapter markers
[00:00] – Introduction and context
Clare joins the podcast after visiting the Grange Project, sharing her background and passion for grazing livestock and regenerative farming.
[03:56] – What regenerative agriculture actually means
A clear explanation of regeneration as the opposite of degradation – restoring soil, water, biodiversity and people – and why there is no single “recipe” for doing it well.
[05:24] – Regenerative vs organic farming
How organic and regenerative systems overlap, where they differ, and why organic certification doesn’t automatically guarantee soil regeneration.
[07:05] – The challenge of definition and greenwashing
Why regenerative agriculture lacks certification, how the term can be misused, and the importance of asking one key question as a consumer: what is this regenerating?
[08:48] – Why the current food system is struggling
A look back to post-war agriculture, the drive for volume, the rise of chemical inputs and the unintended consequences for soil health, nutrition, biodiversity and resilience.
[13:16] – Economics of regenerative farming
Why high-input, high-output farming is hitting a ceiling, how rising input costs are eroding margins, and why some farmers turn to regenerative approaches for financial survival as much as environmental reasons.
[15:02] – Culture change and farmer mindset
Farming as identity, pride and tradition – and why regenerative farming challenges deeply held ideas about tidiness, productivity and what “good farming” looks like.
[20:28] – Roots to Regeneration
Clare explains the two-year Roots to Regeneration programme, designed to support farmers and food-system professionals through deep, supported transition rather than surface-level change.
[24:23] – Cattle, climate and eating less but better meat
Why grazing animals can be central to regeneration, how grasslands co-evolved with ruminants, and why cattle can act as ecosystem engineers when managed well.
[29:38] – Chickens in a regenerative system
Exploring pasture poultry, nutrient imbalance, river pollution and why the current chicken industry is structurally broken.
[36:07] – Interconnected roles on the farm
How chickens and cattle support each other through manure management, pest control, fertilisation and orchard grazing.
[38:47] – The future of farming
Regenerative agriculture as a potential fifth agricultural revolution, the rise of eco-literacy and a vision of farming that is more resilient, humane and joyful.
About the guest
Clare is a regenerative farmer and food-system specialist based in Shropshire. She runs Planton Fam, an 80-acre regenerative holding integrating cattle, chickens, trees and perennial crops. With a background spanning the National Farmers Union, major retailers and sustainability consultancy, Claire brings a rare systems-level perspective to farming, food and land use.
She is also co-founder of Roots to Regeneration, a two-year transition programme supporting farmers and food-industry professionals to redesign agricultural systems that work for people, planet and profit.
Resources & links
Plant & Farm – regenerative meat and produce with UK mainland delivery
https://www.plantandfarm.co.uk
Roots to Regeneration – applications open for the next cohort: https://rootsofnature.co.uk/roots-to-regeneration/
Groundswell Agriculture Festival – learning and inspiration for regenerative farming
https://groundswellag.com

Connect with the Wilder Podcast
🎧 Listen & subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast platform
🌱 Share the episode with anyone curious about food, farming or systems change
💬 Join the conversation – what questions do you have about regenerative agriculture?

In this pre‑Christmas episode, hosts Chloe and Tom sit down with Tom Clark and Alex Brocklesby from the National Trust at Purbeck.
Purbeck is one of the UK’s most biodiverse areas, yet many residents remain disconnected from the nature on their doorstep. Tom and Alex explain how varied geology; including Pool Harbour, chalk ridges and heathlands, creates an incredible range of habitats.
They describe how the Purbeck Heaths, the UK’s first super national nature reserve, unites 3500hectares of heathland owned by NGOs, statutory bodies and private landowners. The conversation explores why connecting local communities to this landscape is as important as ecological restoration, highlighting systemic barriers like work pressures and lack of time.
Key topics & chapter markers:
Each bullet below begins with the approximate start time for that segment:
[00:05] Welcome & purpose of the Wilder Podcast. Chloe and Tom explain that the podcast has evolved from documenting their family’s rewilding journey to exploring wider systemic challenges—education, community, economy and eco‑entrepreneurship.
[04:20] Conservation sheep and lessons in rewilding. Chloe and Tom recount borrowing six conservation sheep, difficulties moving them between fields and why most commercial sheep aren’t suited to rewilding. Conservation breeds like the Castlemilk Moorit nibble less and promote diverse grasslands.
[16:55] Introducing Purbeck’s biodiversity. Tom Clark and Alex Brocklesby describe Purbeck as one of the most biodiverse parts of the UK because of its varied geology—harbours, chalk ridges, heathlands and limestone cliffs. They note the long‑standing presence of organisations like Natural England, the National Trust and RSPB.
[19:17] Super National Nature Reserve. The guests explain that the Purbeck Heaths are the UK’s first super national nature reserve. The reserve unites several smaller reserves into a continuous 3500 hectare landscape that includes private landowners, demonstrating collaboration beyond NGOs.
[20:54] – Experiences on the Isle of Purbeck. Visitors can see snakes, lizards, puffins, eagles, beavers and butterflies; picnic in flower‑rich meadows; explore sheltered beaches with seahorses; wander ancient woodlands; watch sunsets; or go coasteering along the Jurassic Coast. Four million people visit each year because the region offers so many ways to connect with nature.
[22:55] – Why local people aren’t more connected to nature. Despite living in a biodiverse landscape, Purbeck residents aren’t any more nature‑connected than people elsewhere. Nearly 40 % of local children start school without ever having been to the beach. Tom and Alex discuss building trust with schools, community groups and businesses and reflect on the need for community‑led approaches, rather than top‑down conservation.
[27:19] – Systemic barriers & opportunities. Modern lifestyles—commuting, low‑paid seasonal work, high numbers of second homes—leave little time for nature connection. Society is structured around nine‑to‑five routines rather than natural rhythms. The guests urge listeners to co‑create solutions that make time in nature accessible to everyone.
About the guests:
Tom Clark Land & Outdoors Manager for the National Trust’s Purbeck portfolio. He leads teams responsible for nature conservation, habitat restoration and visitor engagement across the Purbeck Heaths. Tom is passionate about collaborative, community‑led rewilding and believes the future of conservation depends on partnerships between NGOs and local people.
Alex Brocklesby Community & Volunteering Manager for the National Trust at Purbeck. With a background in community organising, Alex builds relationships with schools, youth groups and local organisations to help residents benefit from the region’s natural assets. She co‑leads the Purbeck Community Project, which aims to make nature connection part of everyday life.
Resources & links:
Purbeck Heaths Super National Nature Reserve learn about the UK’s first “super” NNR, which brings together three existing reserves to create a bigger, more connected landscape. Visit the official site at https://purbeckheaths.org.uk.
National Trust Purbeck the National Trust teamed up with six other landowners to create the Purbeck Heaths super reserve; find top facts, wildlife information and visitor guidance at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/our-cause/nature-climate/nature-conservation/uks-first-super-nature-reserve-at-purbeck-heaths.
The Grange Project Chloe and Tom’s 80‑acre rewilding initiative in Monmouthshire aims to restore wilder nature and inspire people through community involvement. Explore our story at https://www.grangeproject.co.uk.
Nature Connection research the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group studies how people’s relationships with nature affect wellbeing and conservation behaviourderby.ac.uk. Read more and access resources at https://www.derby.ac.uk/research/themes/zero-carbon/zero-carbon-nbs-research-centre/nature-connectedness-research-group/.

Connect with the Wilder Podcast:
Subscribe & review: If you enjoyed this episode, follow the Wilder Podcast on your preferred podcast app and leave a rating. It helps others discover the show.
Join the conversation: Share your thoughts or questions on social media and tag @WilderPodcast. What experiences have inspired your connection to nature?
Support nature restoration: Visit the National Trust Purbeck or your local nature reserve. Consider volunteering, donating or joining a community project to help make landscapes wilder and more inclusive.

Ep Art Image Credit: Purbeck Super NNR in Dorset at Little Sea | © National Trust Images / John Miller