Part 1
Stuart Mabbutt can recall the first time he engaged with the natural world and wanted to know more. He was in primary school, came across a dead magpie, and wondered why someone had ringed it. His teacher, meanwhile, was trying to persuade Stuart to leave it alone.
And so began a lifelong involvement, not only in nature, but in being something of a contrarian.
If you've heard of Stuart, it's likely to be through his podcast or Wildman Environmental Learning.
His sensory nature workshops enable people to connect with the natural world, sometimes an unlikely beginning leads to a life revelation.
And when he’s not doing that, Stuart is a wildlife sound recordist and producer, an author, public speaker, radio host and a wildlife gardening consultant.
After years helping other people find themselves through the great outdoors, a decline in Stuart's health and a need to use a wheelchair prompted him to lead the Oxfordshire campaign The Genuine Disabled Countryside Access Task Force. His YouTube videos are eye-opening, highlighting the issues encountered by people with different disabilities. These include how to get a wheelchair through a kissing gate, how to read a map with vision impairments and many other barriers.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Wildman Environmental Workshops
The People’s Countryside Podcast:
YouTube @WildmanEnvironmentalLearning
See also:
AccessAble accessibility guide
If you enjoyed this episode you might like to listen to:
Stuart Mabbutt AKA The Wildman Part 2 S3 Ep 4
Sanjukta Jitendhar, architect, Mikhail Riches S1 Ep 9
Sarah Kessell CEO of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales S1 Ep 5
Rae Wilkinson, award-winning sustainable garden designer S1 Ep 1
About ProGRESS
Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible careers, courses and activities and asks for real-world insights into the paths and decisions that led to them.
Follow us on Instagram @theprogress_podcast
Visit us on the Web: https://www.mypro-gress.co.uk
Original content © Sandra Kessell
Original music © Lyze Kessell Insta @lyzetheartist
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