Why are people so opposed to the term "rewilding" when it can inspire action for nature restoration? How can we communicate conservation issues without alienating the very people we need to reach? And what happens when a creative professional decides to transform four fields in Wicklow into a biodiversity haven while documenting every step for others to follow? In this outdoor episode, we sit down with Jack Morley in his rewilding project in Wicklow to explore these questions and more. Jack brin...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 21 min
How does a wealthy animal welfare organisation, funded by well-meaning donors from Europe and North America, end up relocating hundreds of elephants to an area where some of the world's poorest people live? What happens when two people are killed within 24 hours of the first four elephants arriving, yet the organisation presses on with moving another 259 elephants in just 30 days? Why are over 12,500 people now living in terror whilst those responsible show nothing but arrogance when approached ...
Jun 17, 2025•59 min
Is TB in deer a growing concern for Irish hunters? What happens when you shoot a deer infected with TB, and what are the realities from a hunter's perspective? In this episode of the Conservation and Science podcast, we dive into the contentious topic of bovine tuberculosis in deer - an issue I've attempted to cover for over a year. While scientists seemed reluctant to discuss it publicly, this episode brings boots-on-the-ground truth from expert hunter Ashley Glover, who shares his firsthand ex...
Jun 02, 2025•30 min
Are we being locked out of the countryside, or is the narrative around land access more complex than it seems? How can we navigate the competing demands of farmers, conservationists, and recreational users? In Patrick's new book "Uncommon Ground: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Countryside", he tackles the contentious topic of land access in Britain - revealing perspectives that challenge both sides of the debate. From questioning the famous "8% access" statistic to exploring deeper issues ...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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 countrysid...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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 i...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 18 min
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 observa...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 10 min
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 o...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 23 min
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...
Mar 19, 2025•40 min
Is it possible for humans and large carnivores to share landscapes without conflict? What happens when predators like wolves, bears, and lynx return to areas where they've been absent for centuries? How do we balance the ecological benefits of apex predators with the real concerns of rural communities and farmers? We’re trying to answer these questions with our returning guest Dr Jonny Hanson, author of ‘Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears.’ Drawing on his unique...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Are offshore wind farms detrimental to marine mammals? What happens when we industrialise our seas with massive turbines? Can we balance the urgent need for renewable energy with protecting marine life? These questions take centre stage in our conversation with marine ecologist Dr Stephen Comerford, who is the ORE Marine Biodiversity Officer at the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group . Stephen has years of experience working with both the oil and gas industry and offshore renewables, which makes him t...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 6 min
What makes someone kill an animal and still claim to care deeply about nature? Can the act of hunting foster environmental stewardship? These somewhat provocative questions lie at the heart of my conversation with Thorsten Gieser, an anthropologist studying hunting practices and their deeper meaning in modern society. Our discussion explores the complex emotional landscape of hunting and challenges common misconceptions about hunters taking pleasure in killing. Through personal accounts and rese...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 40 min
What happens when Pacific salmon invade Atlantic waters? How does a Soviet-era experiment from the 1950s continue to impact Norwegian rivers today? We’re answering these questions in conversation with Jude Isabella , founder and editor-in-chief of Hakai Magazine. This episode was inspired by her three-week journey along Norway's border with Russia, documented in her article ‘ Where the Rivers Run Pink ’. The article tells the complex story of pink salmon that have established themselves in Norwe...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Can hunting be an effective way to manage human-wildlife conflict? What happens when well-intentioned wildlife protection measures backfire? I spoke with Jens Ulrik Høgh, a Scandinavian hunting journalist, to find answers to these questions through the lens of Romania's bear management crisis. When hunting was banned in 2016 under pressure from animal rights groups, it led to an unexpected surge in human-wildlife conflict, with 300 people being mauled and 26 killed by bears that had lost their f...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min
The calendar year is coming to an end. Since the episode's scheduled date falls on the last day of the year, I feel it's fitting to publish a 2024 recap episode featuring the most interesting clips from all the episodes published this year - or rather, last year (2024). Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee . Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/books Merch: tommysoutdoors.com/shop Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky , Twitter ...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr
Unlike many podcasters who take a break over Christmas, I'm not taking breaks. Instead, as I do every year, I'm publishing a special episode with seasonal wishes and, most importantly, with a big thank you to all of you for being here with me, subscribing to the podcast whether on a podcast app or YouTube and particularly for signing up to my newsletter. I would also like to welcome new subscribers as well as give big shout-outs to those of you who have been with me for many years. Thank you! In...
Dec 17, 2024•16 min
This episode is a real treat for all those who are interested in bowhunting, bowhunting culture and the ethics of bowhunting compared to rifle hunting. Everything sprinkled with a healthy dose of hunting stories. It feels like I’m one of the only very few who talks about bowhunting with European listeners in mind. Indeed, I would like to see hunting with archery tackle being legalised and popularised on the old continent. In my view, the notions that it’s inhumane or somehow unethical are ill-ad...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 1 min
How much influence do personal experiences of high-ranking officials have on EU environmental policies? What happens when science-based conservation collides with political interests? Can farmers and environmentalists find common ground in nature restoration? In this episode, I talk to Faustine Bas-Defossez, Director for Nature, Health and Environment at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), who provides insights into the complex world of EU environmental policymaking. In our conversation, we...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode I'm joined by Declan Quigley to explore the history of sturgeon in Irish waters. We talk about the recent campaign by the Irish Wildlife Trust to reintroduce this ancient fish. The conversation dives into the history of sturgeon in Ireland, discussing their critical endangerment and the factors that led to their decline, including overfishing and habitat loss. Declan shares his extensive research findings, revealing that while sturgeon haven’t been confirmed to spawn in Irish riv...
Nov 26, 2024•53 min
What exactly is rewilding? Does it simply mean bringing back wolves, lynx and bears, or is there more to it? Can we balance food production and rural community needs with land left to natural processes and wildlife conservation? To answer these questions, I talk with Ian Parsons, editor of "Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and Misunderstandings", a new book that explores common assumptions and misconceptions about rewilding. In our discussion, we address aspects of rewilding that are often ...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 13 min
What drives two friends to create a weekly podcast about fly fishing? How do they manage to keep it fresh and engaging week after week? Ireland on the Fly started as Daire's passion project about four years ago, combining his media background with his newfound love for fly fishing. The podcast took on new life when Tom, an experienced angling guide and former Hardy and Grays sales manager, joined the team two and a half years ago. The show explores the rich culture and history of fly fishing in ...
Nov 12, 2024•15 min
Is the resumption of commercial whaling inevitable? What hidden geopolitical forces are shaping international whale conservation efforts? Let's dive (pun not intended) into the complex world of whale conservation with marine scientist Dr Peter Corkeron. In our conversation, Peter uncovers the surprising connections between military bases, national security, and the fate of the world's largest mammals. From the history of industrial whaling to the current state of whale populations, our guest pro...
Nov 05, 2024•56 min
Listen to my conversation with John Aitchison from the Coastal Communities Network Scotland to learn about the devastating effects of salmon farming on the marine environment and coastal communities. Toxic waste, pesticides, diseases and parasites are just the tip of the iceberg. I knew that salmon farming was bad but I didn’t realise quite how bad it really is. Salmon aquaculture creates massive ecological and welfare issues for the fish. Both farmed fish as well as wild fish populations are ne...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Do you feel climate anxiety? Is it overwhelming you? How do we find peace while being bombarded with dire environmental predictions? In an attempt to answer these questions, I talk with Lynne Sedgmore, a well-known educator, leadership coach, activist and the author of the book "Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety". To set the scene, we start with a discussion about peaceful but disruptive climate protests. We discuss their effectiveness, the reception by the wider public, ...
Oct 22, 2024•57 min
Last week I published a blog post where I set out to answer the question of whether polar bears are facing impending extinction due to climate change or are they, in fact, doing better than ever. Around the time when I was investigating this question, I got in touch with Professor Andrew Derocher from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, who has studied polar bears for over 40 years. He specialises in ecology, conservation, and management of large Arctic mammals wi...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Is scientific publishing broken? How can we make it more accessible and inclusive? And what if peer review could be collaborative and efficient instead of opaque and burdensome? In this episode, we dive into the world of academic publishing with Dr David Green, founder of Stacks Journal . We talk about how the current system is failing researchers and science enthusiasts alike, with over half of all research never getting published and exorbitant costs imposed by a handful of publishers who mono...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min
The European Commission is deliberating on lowering the protection status of wolves in the EU. It seems like this decision has been taken after the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen’s pony was killed by wolves. Is this really the reason for what many have dubbed “a new European wolf hunt”? To unpack this issue I talked to environmentalists, farmers, top-tier scientists and last but not least, hunters. Our guests are a wildlife biologist, Professor John Linnell, a goat breeder, ...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Can farming and conservation coexist harmoniously? How can farmers produce high-quality food while protecting biodiversity? Elise Sutton, a passionate conservationist and livestock manager at Cherry Lodge Farm, shares her experience in balancing food production with nature conservation. Elise talks about conservation grazing using English Longhorn cattle on a 650-acre farm that includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest. She explains how this method maintains biodiversity and produces top-qu...
Sep 24, 2024•53 min
What are the latest advancements in gene editing for crops? How can genetic engineering help plants withstand climate change? Is genetically modified food safe for consumption? To answer these questions, I talk with Ido Margalit, a co-founder and the CEO of BetterSeeds , a plant genetics company focused exclusively on using genome editing/CRISPR technology for their breeding activities. Ido explains the differences between GMOs and gene editing, highlighting how CRISPR allows for precise modific...
Sep 17, 2024•54 min
Can large carnivore conservation coexist with livestock farming? In this episode, environmental social scientist Jonny Hanson and I discuss the complex issue of large carnivore reintroductions in Britain and Ireland. What are farmers' perspectives on sharing landscapes with predators like wolves and lynx? How can we balance conservation goals with the realities of modern agriculture? We explore these pressing questions, drawing from Jonny’s extensive research and firsthand experience as both a r...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 9 min
