Sean's Wild Life

After a long time talking about it, I pay a visit to Ben Andrews' organic farm in rural Herefordshire to get the scoop on organic Vs conventional agriculture, countryside stewardship especially farmers' roles and how we can produce food in a nature friendly way that isn't as harmful to the climate and environment. We also get into a meaty discussion about veganism and food trends, dissect the gluten intolerance myth, explore agroecology and regenerative agriculture, and lots more besides. We're out in a windy field at the start, so there's a little crackling on the audio, but bear with it. We get into the shelter of Ben's buggy soon enough for a tour of the farm and the sound quality gets much better. Ben's intrepid pups Barney and Percy interrupt proceedings once or twice too. Come along for the tour, it's almost like you're down on the farm with Farmer Ben and I in real life! 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 on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-lifeor at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife.Cover photo credit: Ben Andrews.

A fascinating, hilarious and inspiring conversation with Derek Gow, an ecologist, reintroduction specialist, farmer and author of 'Bringing Back the Beaver'. Derek is well known for speaking out on the frustrations of our current systems and organisations in place to protect our natural landscapes and biodiversity. Or should that be to regulate our natural landscapes and attempts to restore biodiversity? In this episode he packs no punches in critiquing the bureaucracy and inertia of our conservation organisations. He suggests that perhaps we need to be bolder and get cracking right now on restoring nature on a larger scale and restore lost species as a matter of urgency.We discuss the psychology of humankind in historically conquering nature, obliterating species deemed harmful or indeed valuable to us, and reshaping the landscape in ways that have been immensely harmful to the natural world. We also explore Derek's varied career in farming, into global wildlife conservation, back to British wildlife conservation and most recently his pioneering role within the UK rewilding movement. Specifically his work from his Devon farm and collaborating with several other organisations in reintroducing threatened or extinct species, from water voles and harvest mice to beavers and white storks. If you're offended by crude language and straight talk, be warned. Personally I found Derek's refreshingly honest and bold approach truly inspiring. It's a compelling and humorous chat from a non-traditional nature conservationist not afraid to take risks or rock the boat! 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 on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-lifeor at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife.Cover photo credit: Magzter.

I sat down to chat about this controversial and often emotive topic with the President of the British Veterinary Association, James Russell and CEO of the Badger Trust, Dominic Dyer. We explored the issues surrounding the eradication of bovine TB, a disease of cattle which also affects wildlife species, most notably the badger. And we tackle the logic, pros and cons of the government's badger cull strategy as part of the plan to eradicate this disease. It's illuminating and at times a little heated, but Dominic and James do a sterling job of setting out the issues, respectfully debating the finer points and making a very complex topic more clear. As we all agree at the end, it's vital to talk and come together from both sides of the debate. The all too common 'them Vs us' attitude that often crops up where difficult conservation or animal welfare issues arise can do more harm than good. I'm very grateful to have had them both on as guests, coming together to bring clarity and explore the middle ground in such a divisive topic.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 on Acast Supporter here:http://supporter.acast.com/seans-wild-life or at www.patreon.com/seanswildlife. Cover photo by Billy Heaney.

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.