Sean's Wild Life

I chat to Conor Gallagher, founder of AllotMe.co.uk, a brand new online platform linking wannabe food growers with local landowners to start using urban spaces for food production. Think of it as the AirBnB for gardeners and food growers! We discuss the importance of connecting with our food systems, urban agriculture, the demand for and shortage of allotment space in urban areas and new technologies driving more sustainable food production. As well as why it's so important for global health and the environment to grow and shop local for food. Are you looking for a space to grow? Been sitting on an allotment waiting list for years? Don't have much outdoor space so think you'll never be able to grow your own food? Then think again, this episode and AllotMe.co.uk is just what you've been waiting for!Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife or here on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-life.

I chat to the hilarious (and self described eccentric) Hugh Warwick chatting all things prickle pig on the eve of the release of his latest book, The Hedgehog Book. An ecologist, author and passionate hedgehog advocate, Hugh is spokesperson for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and possibly the world's only hedgehog stand up comic!On a serious note, we discuss the reasons for the hedgehog's decline in Britain and what people can do to help. As well as Hugh's incredibly well received petition to make hedgehog highways a standard feature in all new housing developments. It's a fascinating, funny and heartwarming conversation, with some rude jokes thrown in at the end for good measure! There is hope for hedgehogs with people like Hugh in the world.The Hedgehog Book: https://www.graffeg.com/product/the-hedgehog-book/Change.org Hedgehog Highway petition: https://www.change.org/p/help-save-britain-s-hedgehogs-with-hedgehog-highwaysSean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife or here on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-life.

I chat to David Hetherington, author of 'The Lynx and Us' and arguably the UK's foremost expert on Lynx and its proposed reintroduction to Britain. We discuss the issues of land management, the need for reafforestation and peatland restoration in Scotland to combat climate change and the overpopulation of deer and controversially for some, sheep. The lack of any apex predators means an imbalanced ecosystem. So surely reintroduction of apex predators like the lynx (and wolves and bears?) is a no brainer, right?Well, it's a complex topic and there is certainly a healthy level of opposition from various camps. Some for genuinely valid reasons, and some based in an arguably misled fear about having predators back in our landscape. It's a fascinating discussion with David, an engaging and knowledgeable advocate for lynx and their reintroduction to Britain after many centuries of absence.Successful reintroduction projects in Europe are explored as well as the real impact of lynx on sheep farmers. A more nuanced issue than you might assume. Have a listen and decide for yourself. Is it time that the iconic lynx came back to Britain?Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife or here on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-life.

In this episode I talk about unwanted wildlife, the vilified and unwelcome guests to these shores with Jack Baddams, naturalist, ornithologist and wildlife researcher at the BBC Natural History Unit. We discuss the narratives that dominate talk of non native and invasive species, and the discrepancies and at times hypocrisy of how we view certain species against others. Jack share his recent thoughts having read a book that challenged all his strongly held beliefs on native Vs non-native debate, and whether we should celebrate all biodiversity in this day and age, no matter where it originated. Can it be that introduced species actually help us build more diverse ecosystems?Although many conservationists and naturalists are strongly opposed to introduced species – some of our most loved species are introduced – rabbits, hares, little owls (which we're now concerned are decreasing!), mandarin ducks, poppies, sweet chestnuts to name a few. It's a controversial topic, and one which prompts passionate debate. It was certainly a thought provoking chat with Jack and challenged some of my preconceptions too. I hope you too will enjoy it!Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife or here on Acast Supporter.

I had the pleasure of chatting with two bright young naturalists and talented wildlife photographers, Indy and Sennen, to discuss what matters most to them in this time of eco-anxiety, biodiversity loss and widespread disconnection from nature. We talk about their various volunteer/activism roles and what their future aspirations are, get their suggestions on how we can engage more young people with nature and green spaces in the countryside and the city, and explore what it's like to be a young nature geek when often that's not seen as very cool. I reassure them that I know the feeling very well. I once was young too!Indy and Sennen are sickeningly good photographers, a talent I'm quite envious of. So they give me some tips and we talk about their most exciting wildlife encounters and favourite photo moments. The future of nature conservation is bright! Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife or here on Acast Supporter.

A chat with inspiring, passionate marine conservationist, ocean advocate, adventurer and fellow vet Cal Major who is doing some awesome things. A multiple world record record holder, Cal has taken on some pretty epic challenges from stand up paddle boarding around the Isle of Skye to then taking on Land's End to John o'Groats on a stand up paddle board. I know, crazy! All in aid of raising funds, awareness and highlight the problem of plastic pollution in our seas.We also explore what it means to be a vet, as an identity and as a profession, and for us what it means moving away from the traditional idea of what a vet is and does. The vet degree perhaps doesn't explore all the doors a veterinary degree opens for you in your career path. So it's really refreshing to hear from a vet like Cal doing her thing outside of the consultation room.We chat about mental health, our need for the outdoors and nature, how we've become so disconnected as a society and how we've both been coping during lockdown.Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced and edited by Thomas Ntinas. Title track 'A Wild Life' kindly composed and donated by Mark Rose. Production costs are self funded by Sean McCormack, but donations to fund future episodes are welcome at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife or here on Acast Supporter.