Nature Magic (Mary Bermingham)
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Dive into the complete episode list for Nature Magic. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09 Apr 2020 | Episode 1 Mary Reynolds on building an Ark | 00:24:47 | |
Mary Reynolds talks about meeting plant spirits in her childhood in rural Ireland, her inspiring project 'We Are The Ark', her magical book 'The Garden Awakens' and what we can do to help save the planet. Find contact details for Mary and information on ‘We are the Ark’ at http://marymary.ie Buy her book ‘The Garden Awakens’ – Designs to nurture ourselves and our land. https://bit.ly/2UKBMxa Recommended Books Doug W Tallamy Natures Best- A new approach to conservation that starts in your yard https://amzn.to/3aIz54U Isabella Tree Wilding- Returning nature to our farm https://amzn.to/3dQefCN Benedict MacDonald Rebirding- Rewilding Britain and its birds https://amzn.to/3bRq0a5 | |||
| 20 Apr 2020 | Episode 2 Costas Christ putting the eco back in the economy | 00:23:46 | |
Costas Christ talks about sea turtles, organic blueberry farming and how we need to reframe our relationship with nature. Learn more about ecotourism and contact Costas at https://www.beyondgreentravel.com/what-we-do Recommended books Urashim Taro, The Fisher Lad- audio https://historyofjapan.co.uk/wiki/urashima-taro-the-fisher-lad/ The works of Ralph Waldo Emmerson Paul Theroux Robert Frost My Side of the Mountain By: Jean Craighead George Living The Good Life: How to Live Simply and Sanely in a Troubled World. By: Helen and Scott Nearing www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 27 Apr 2020 | Episode 3 Jonathan Porritt on loving the Lorax | 00:21:25 | |
Jonathan talks about his love for rainforests and Slime mould! He is an environmental activist, and has been fighting for nature since the 1970s. He was a prominent leader of the Green Party, formerly the Ecology Party, in the UK, and was the inspirational Director of Friends of the Earth until 1990. In 1996, he founded Forum for the Future, advising leading organisations in both the public and private sector on sustainability issues. He’s passionate about promoting solutions to today’s multiple problems, and working with young people – which is the one thing above all else that keeps him hopeful today! Recommended books The Lorax By: Dr Suess The Peregrine By: J.A. Baker (read by David Attenborough on Audible) Contact Jonathan through his website at http://www.jonathonporritt.com/ Visit Burren Nature Sanctuary at http://www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 04 May 2020 | Episode 4 Dr Noeleen Smyth- mad about Moss | 00:20:32 | |
Noeleen talks about the tricks plants play, her love of moss and its importance in controlling flooding. She speaks about being deeply connected to the ancient spiritual landscape of Ireland, her efforts to conserve plant species and combat 'plant blindness.' She is currently Conservation Botanist at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin, where she is working on launching the new National Seed Bank for Irish native flora. She also continues her work in invasive species control, island endemic species recovery, along with conservation research into Ireland's rare and threatened fern and bryophyte species. Recommended book The Song of the Dodo BY: David Quammen Check out the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin at www.botanicgardens.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 11 May 2020 | Episode 5 Joshua Styles is the cure for plant blindness! | 00:18:40 | |
Joshua talks about being ‘a plant obsessive’ and taking over his mother's back garden at an early age to grow wildflowers. Joshua is a 24 year old botanist with a BSc in Ecology and a passion for plants that is irresistible. His work since gaining his first-class degree in 2017 includes founding and coordinating the North West Rare plants initiative. The NWRPI is a conservation programme based in NW England, funded primarily by Chester Zoo and Lancashire Wildlife Trust that aims to reverse the fortunes of over 40 target plant species on the brink in the region, including plants like the Great Sundew. He is currently studying for an MSc in Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring at MMU. He is dedicated to protecting and reintroducing rare and endangered species. Apart from his skills and achievements Joshua is a wonderful, engaging human being who is guaranteed to pull you along in the slipstream of his obsession! If I was a TV producer, I would snap him up immediately as the David Attenborough of the plant kingdom. Check him out on You Tube or connect with him on LinkedIn. Recommended book: Collins Photographic Wildflower Guide By: David Streeter The North West Rare Plants initiative www.nwrpi.weebly.com Plants before Pandas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW_XnT-MjtU Contact Joshua https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-styles Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Donate to the Burren Flora Seed Bank Project at https://www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie/product/burren-flora-seed-bank-project/ | |||
| 18 May 2020 | Episode 6 Pádraic Fogarty fights for whales and wolves | 00:31:04 | |
Pádraic talks about loving the Humpback Whale and the controversial concept of reintroducing Wolves to the Island of Ireland. Pádraic is an ecologist and also the Campaigns Officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust. The Trust aims to conserve wildlife and the habitats they depend on throughout Ireland while encouraging a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the need to protect it. Pádraic is author of the successful nature book ‘Whittled Away – Ireland’s Vanishing Nature.’ In his book Pádraic issues a provocative call to arms and presents an alternative path to lead us to a brighter future. He calls for the return of long-lost species like wild boar, cranes, and wolves, showing how nature and wildlife can recover hand in hand. Find the Irish Wildlife Trust at www.iwt.ie Buy the book Whittled Away in the Irish Wildlife Trust shop or on Amazon (5 star rating) Recommended books: The Sea Around Us By: Rachel Carson The Unnatural History of the Sea By: Callum Roberts Recommended film: The Silver Branch Featuring: local farmer Patrick McCormack http://www.seafeverproductions.com/#buy-dvds- Contact Pádraic through his website at: http://www.openfield.ie Find him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/padraic-fogarty-95b30a1b Follow him on Twitter at: @whittledaway Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 25 May 2020 | Episode 7 Eamon Ryan on snorkelling off Inishbofin and meeting poets in The Burren | 00:23:50 | |
Eamon talks about snorkelling and kayaking in Inishbofin, writers and poets that inspired him, finding nature along the River Dodder and connecting to the natural world in his allotment. Eamon served as Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources from 2007-2011 and since then has been the leader of the Green Party in Ireland. With the European Green Deal announced this week with a €20 billion a year budget it is even more important than ever that we have strong voices in Government to insure these measures are implemented. They include reducing chemical pesticides by 50%, planting 3 billion native trees and protecting 30% of our land and marine areas by 2030. Recommended books Gaia By: James Lovelock Silent Spring By:Rachel Carson The Sea Around Us By:Rachel Carson Nostos By:John Moriarty The One Straw Revolution By: Masanobu-Fukuoka Limits to Growth By: Donella H. Meadows Cycling holidays in Ireland https://cyclingsafaris.com E.O. Wilson: Half the Earth Project https://www.half-earthproject.org Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Contact me at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 01 Jun 2020 | Episode 8 Professor Jane Stout on awesome ants, solitary bees and Ireland's Pollinator Plan | 00:26:23 | |
Professor Jane Stout talks about her love for ants and solitary bees and her role in setting up the All Ireland Pollinator Plan. Jane is a professor in Botany in the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin. She leads the Plant-Animal Interactions research group and is Ireland’s leading expert on bees and pollination ecology. She is co-founder of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, and deputy chair of its Steering Group, as well as co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Irish Forum on Natural Capital. Check out the All Ireland Pollinator Plan here: https://pollinators.ie Check out the Irish Forum on Natural Capital here: https://www.naturalcapitalireland.com Recommended books: Richard Dawkins – The Selfish Gene Richard Dawkins – The Blind Watchmaker Zoe Devlin – The Wildflowers of Ireland Steven Falk – Bees of Britain and Ireland Bryan Danforth et al – The Solitary Bees Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson – Extraordinary Insects Email me at: mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at: www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 08 Jun 2020 | Episode 9 Laura Powers- lessons on lockdown | 00:25:39 | |
Laura talks about lessons from lockdown, being nice to spiders and the intelligence of plants. As well as being a nature lover, Laura is a celebrity psychic, a business coach, an author of 7 books, a chart topping podcaster, an actor, model, singer and a movie award judge! Laura invited me as a guest on to her health podcast ‘Healing Powers’ on the subject of the healing power of nature and then encouraged me, forcefully, to start this podcast! She was right of course! and it has been a very rewarding experience. So grab a cup of tea, find out how plants and animals wish to connect to us. When on the nature walk Laura told us that Vincent our year old mini pony is very psychic, how fun is that! Recommended books: Secret Life of plants By: Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird Be Nice to Spiders By: Margaret Bloy Graham Contact Laura at https://www.healingpowers.net/laurapowers Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 16 Jun 2020 | Episode 10 Catherine Farrell is accounting for conservation | 00:46:14 | |
Catherine talks about the INCASE project, (Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable Environments) her love of bogs and her new novel The Easter Snow. Dr Catherine Farrell is an ecologist, specialising in restoration ecology and how to revive degraded natural systems. Catherine has worked on wetland and woodland systems across Ireland and internationally, with a particular focus on how to bring industrially used peatlands back to life. She is currently working as a research fellow in Trinity College Dublin with her attention now fixed on how to develop natural capital accounting through the lens of the Water Framework Directive (at catchment level) in the Irish context. Catherine is a founding member of the Irish Forum on Natural Capital and works with businesses and nature agencies to bring the role of nature into broader discussions around ecosystem health, ecosystem services, natural capital and natural capital accounting, and sustainable environments. Catherine is also a published author and likes to dabble in the arts under her married name of Catherine Wilkie. Her novel The Easter Snow was published and launched in May 2019. Check out Catherine’s research on natural capital accounting here: www.incaseproject.com Check out Catherine’s novel The Easter Snow here: www.catherinewilkie.ie https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/reuniting-and-remembering-two-souls-who-left-nothing-after-them-but-their-names-1.3946830 Catherine’s recommended books: James Lovelock - Gaia Fritjof Capra – The Web of Life Paddy Woodworth - Our Once and Future Planet Aldo Leopold – A Sand County Almanac Mary Oliver - Swan: Poems and Prose Poems Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie John Feehan on Offaly Heritage https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYNptVFV3jzT7TBFGSWFr4g Link to forest bathing information Diana Beresford Kroeger- To Speak for the Trees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBOVet8Ki4g | |||
| 29 Jun 2020 | Episode 11 Gonçalo Santos - in love with wild orchids | 00:26:13 | |
Gonçalo Santos is a 27-year-old chemist and amateur botanist from Portugal. His passion for plants started in 2014 when he created a garden from wasteland around his apartment block. It now counts over 500 native species and is enjoyed by all his neighbours! He is living in Dublin since 2018 and since then has been recording Irish wildflowers. Recommended books A field guide to the Orchids of Europe and the Mediterranean By: Rolf Kuhn, Henrik Pedersen and Phillip Cribb Collins Wild Flower Guide By: Davide Streeter, C. Hart-Davies, A Hardcastle F. Cole and L. Harper Ireland's Wild Orchids By: Brendan Sayers and Susan Sex Wild Plants of the Burren and the Aran Islands By: Charles Nelson Contact Goncalo at: blog: http://somethingintheyard.blogspot.com/ Instagram (id: somethingintheyard): https://www.instagram.com/somethingintheyard/?hl=pt Twitter: @goncalosbotany Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Goncalo_Santos6 Linkdin: www.linkedin.com/in/gonçalo-lab-santos Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 13 Jul 2020 | Episode 12 Patrick McCormack on preparing the ground | 00:35:52 | |
Patrick McCormack is an organic farmer from the Burren, Co Clare, in the West of Ireland. If you are lucky you can join one of his occasional guided walks and learn about the history, biodiversity and culture of this special landscape. Patrick is one of the strongest voices in Ireland speaking for nature and a return for sustainable land management. He also lives, with Cheryl his wife and family, in Father Ted's house! Recommended books So Shall We Reap By: Colin Tudge Arctic Dreams The Crow and the Weasel By: Barry Lopez Anam Cara By: John O Donohue The author John Moriarty. | |||
| 27 Jul 2020 | Episode 13 Sean McCormack is jumping off his lawnmower! | 00:21:35 | |
Today I am talking to Sean McCormack. Sean is a life long naturalist, a vet by profession and a self-confessed nature nerd. He studied Animal Science at Agricultural College in Essex followed by Veterinary Medicine as a graduate in Dublin at UCD. Having been involved in wildlife conservation in various volunteer capacities over the years, Sean set up his own local conservation organisation where he lives in West London, Ealing Wildlife Group. He regularly leads bat and bird walks, speaks on nature conservation and biodiversity and runs volunteer-led habitat creation and management task days in key local habitats. He's particularly fond of reptiles, amphibians, bats and birds of prey. Excitingly EWG has just received funding to develop their very own nature reserve on a derelict allotments site, work on which will be starting as soon as lockdown lifts. Sean also hosts his very own podcast, Sean's Wild Life where he discusses wildlife, farming, sustainability, rewilding and our connections to nature. He has ambitions to start a new rewilding project in future." Recommended book Wilding By: Isabella Tree Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatvetsean Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatVetSean Ealing Wildlife Group: https://ealingwildlifegroup.com/ Sean's Wild Life podcast: https://shows.acast.com/seanswildlife/ also available on Spotify and iTunes Media bookings: https://www.mjmmgmt.co.uk/talent/sean-mccormack | |||
| 10 Aug 2020 | Episode 14 Gordon Darcy asks us to treat the planet as a gift | 00:19:43 | |
We talk to Gordon about treating the planet as a gift, planting trees and his recent book The Breathing Burren. Gordon is a civil engineer but has spent most of his working life as a freelance environmental author, artist and educator. He has had 17 exhibitions featuring his nature artwork, has contributed to many magazines and has published 9 books: The Birds at Lough Beg, The Guide to the birds of Ireland, The Pocket guide to the birds of Ireland, The Pocket guide to the animals of Ireland, The Natural history of the Burren, Irelands lost birds, The Burren Wall, Narture- a nature art manual for primary schools and most recently through Collins press The Breathing Burren which has been so successful it is currently going to reprint. He has also taught many educational programmes and designed concepts for visitor centres and nature display boards in 20 venues in Ireland. Recommended books Padraic Fogarty- Whittled Away Gordon Darcy - The Breathing Burren James Fairley – An Irish Beast Book 1975 Blackstaff Press Contact Gordon through his website at http://gordondarcynature.com/ Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 24 Aug 2020 | Episode 15 Mary Bermingham on the Nature Magic book | 00:19:05 | |
Mary Bermingham, cofounder of Burren Nature Sanctuary and host of the podcast Nature Magic- A positive voice for nature from Ireland- talks to Simon Cocking of Irish Tech News about the new Burren Nature Sanctuary book-Nature Magic- How you can engage everyone with biodiversity. The kindle version was best seller on launch day in many categories on Amazon including Green Business and Botany. The print version is due out on Amazon on 1 September Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Contact Simon at simoncocking3@gmail.com | |||
| 07 Sep 2020 | Episode 16 Raquel Noboa is allergic to single use items! | 00:21:31 | |
Today Mary is chatting to Raquel Noboa from Fifty Shades Greener. Raquel has worked in the Hospitality industry for the past 23 years, working in hotels around the world since the age of 17. She knows the industry well, the challenges it faces and the mind-set barriers to greening a Hospitality business. Raquel started her own green journey at Hotel Doolin, in Ireland. She was working there as the Sales & Marketing Manager in 2012 when the Hotel decided to start a Green Hospitality programme and Raquel was chosen as the new Hotel Green Manager. Within 2 years of implementing Raquel’s green actions, they reduced their energy by 30%, waste by 40% and water by 25%. They also won every green award in Ireland and she positioned the Hotel as a leader in the Sustainable travel market. Raquel believes in small wins, and going at your own pace, because greening should not make people jump through hoops, it is about knowing the environmentally sound options that are available and applying those actions that make sense to each business. Starting small, get the big wins, and then look at possible investment projects to become even greener. She is a fountain of common sense! Recommended book Ethical Business- Fifty ways you can help protect people, the planet and profits by Sarah Duncan Contact Raquel at www.fiftyshadesgreener.ie Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 21 Sep 2020 | Episode 17 Dr Jenny Lloyd-Strovas loves the horny toad! | 00:24:49 | |
Mary talks to Jenny Lloyd-Strovas about getting children off their devices and outside learning about nature. Dr. Jenny is a biologist, researcher and educator. Her passion is connecting people with nature so they become stewards of our natural resources. She does this by helping parents get their kids off screens, outdoors, and learning about nature in their own backyards while building STEM skills and confidence. Her program, Nature Matters Academy, embodies the moto “You love what you know. You care for what you love.” Through Nature Matters Academy she provides STEM-based nature curricula and online programming to give parents the tools and resources they need to confidently get their kids outside and learning about the world around them. App recommendation: iNaturalist Book recommendations: Any books By: Richard Louv Desert Solitaire By:Edward Abbey Contact Dr Jenny at https://www.naturemattersacademy.com Facebook at 'Getting kids outside and learning about nature.' Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 05 Oct 2020 | Episode 18 Irene Graham and the magical Irish hare | 00:28:51 | |
Today Mary is chatting to the super talented, Kinvara local, Irene Graham. Irene is a writer, story editor and photographer. From 1998 to 2008 she was a full-time photographer signed to Getty Images in NY, with an image speciality in portraits, nature and architecture. In 1991 she founded The Creative Writer’s Workshop, which has become an international success in fiction and memoir writing. Irene’s writing workshops and courses provide innovative writing techniques based on right-brain/left-brain learning exercises that evoke recall and enhance creativity. She is Author of The Memoir Writing Workbook and I Am A Hare! Hanna and the Hop Family. Irene lives in the West of Ireland, writing, taking photographs and tending her rock filled Burren garden! Recommended book My Heart Soars By:Chief Dan George Connect with Irene Graham Website: I Am A Hare! https://www.thecreativewritersworkshop.com/i-am-a-hare/ Website: The Creative Writer’s Workshop https://www.thecreativewritersworkshop.com/ Website: The Memoir Writing Club website https://www.thememoirwritingclub.com/ Connect with Mary mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.com Instagram, Facebook and Twitter | |||
| 22 Oct 2020 | Episode 19 Susan Kerwin builds a bat hospital | 00:29:25 | |
Today Mary is chatting to the inspirational Susan Kerwin. Susan is a wildlife Rehabilitater based in County Limerick with a special focus on bats. She found her love for bats when suffering from insomnia after her cancer treatment. She is founder of Bat Rehabilitation Ireland and has just opened a fully dedicated bat hospital. Happy Halloween! Connect with Susan on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Bat-Rehabilitation-Ireland-112126603812172/ Recommended book Wild Ireland By: Eamonn de Buitlear Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Ireland's eden at Connect with Mary at: mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 23 Nov 2020 | Episode 21 Melanie Croce is saving seals | 00:38:08 | |
Today I am speaking to Melanie Croce, Melanie is the executive Director of Seal Rescue Ireland. Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) is a charity organisation that works around the clock to rescue, rehabilitate and release native seals found sick, injured or orphaned from across the coast of Ireland. Melanie studied environmental science at Virginia tech university and went on to do environmental consulting work on the BP Oil Spill Response on the Gulf Coast, before becoming an Animal Care and Education Intern for SRI back when it was known as ‘Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary’ in 2013. From there, she went on to gain further wildlife nonprofit experience as Research Associate for the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, followed by a long term post doing sea turtle and endangered primate conservation and ecotourism work on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. With this new diversity of international skills, she was invited back to Ireland as SRI’s Operations Manager in April 2017, later to become Executive Director, a role she has held since. Her passion for wildlife and environmental conservation and tireless commitment to SRI has been fundamental to the organisation’s growth. Recommended book Gorillas in the Mist By: Dian Fossey Check out Seal Rescue Ireland https://www.sealrescueireland.org/ Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 09 Nov 2020 | Episode 20 Edward Dee speaks up for the badgers | 00:39:07 | |
Today Mary is chatting to Edward Dee. This was the hardest interview to set up as Eddie was not keen to get in front of the microphone! Eddie is the phenomenal plantsman at Burren Nature Sanctuary. A truly passionate nature lover he has been planting a forest garden at his home for the last 33 years and in 2012 became the gardener at Burren Nature Sanctuary. Eddie has single handedly developed the collection of Burren Flora in the Burren Botany Bubble, which is now an important resource for the new National Native Seed Bank in the National Botanic Gardens, in Glasnevin. With initial forecasts of success thin on the ground he has propagated and managed to display even the most fragile of our Burren Orchids. The collection is important for conservation and education and in 2019 over 30,000 people visited the Burren Botany Bubble to learn about and experience, in a 'Leave No Trace' fashion, the flora of the Burren- the most biodiverse place in Ireland. Recommended book The Great British Year By: Stephen Moss Recommended video: Reversing desertification By: John D Liu Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Email screenshot of your review to enter the competition to mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 07 Dec 2020 | Episode 22 Brigid Barry is farming for nature | 00:40:23 | |
Today Mary is talking to Brigid Barry. Brigid coordinates Farming for Nature since its inception in 2018. This was set up to encourage and inspire farmers that farm or wish to farm more for nature. Prior to this initiative, she was the manager of the landscape charity Burrenbeo Trust for 9 years, biodiversity officer for Clare County Council and a project officer on numerous conservation projects abroad for the previous 10 years in the Amazon, West Africa and the Zoology Dept in Cambridge. Brigid lives in Kinsale, Co.Cork. She can be contacted on info@farmingfornature.ie Recommended book Wilding By Isabella Tree Check out farming for nature at www.farmingfornature.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 11 Jan 2021 | Episode 24 (Nature Educators No 1) Michelle Lawton stretches the imagination | 00:34:54 | |
Welcome to 2021 and a Happy New Year to our listeners! Today is the start of a series of Nature Magic podcasts talking to inspirational people who are dedicated to nature education. Today Mary is speaking to Michelle Lawton. Michelle founded Stretch the Imagination in 2002. Stretch is a program where children are free to explore and delve deeply into their experiences. Michelle has a passion for connecting children to the natural world and she started the Natural Classroom in 2010 bringing children out of the classroom and into nature during their weekly school days. Over the past 10 years, the Natural Classroom has developed into a respected preschool program grounded in nurturing children’s development through creativity, inquiry and connecting to the natural world. Michelle is also invested in supporting professional development and encouraging the growth of educators who come to work at Stretch. She continued her own education in 2014 by studying with Jon Young and the educators of the 8 Shields Institute and she recently finished studying with Dan Siegel at the Mindsight Institute in Los Angeles. We were so lucky to speak to Michelle who has such a deep understanding of the hands on approach to engaging children with nature and also the logistics of setting up programs such as the Natural Classroom. Thank you for listening to Nature Magic. Please subscribe to the podcast to help with our reach and give us a rating. Each month in 2021 we are running a draw and the prize this month is a selection of beautiful Irish gifts from the Burren Nature Sanctuary gift shop including a stunning original Burren Flower Fairies print by local artist Susan Meaney. To be in the draw simply review the podcast and send a screenshot to mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie. Recommended Books: Our Wild Calling By Richard Louv Braiding Sweetgrass By Robin Wall Kimmerer Connect with Michelle Lawton at: michelle@stretchtheimagination.com Check out the website at: www.stretchtheimagination.com | |||
| 25 Jan 2021 | Episode 25 (Nature Educators No 2) Dr Paddy Madden speaks up for the woodlouse | 00:36:01 | |
Today Mary is talking to Dr Paddy Madden. "How far we adults have retreated from childhood" Paddy worked as a primary school teacher for three decades before becoming a lecturer in SESE education. He presently works as a Heritage in School Specialist and delivers CPD courses. He constructed the first school wildlife garden in Ireland in 1984 on which his thrice printed book Go Wild at School is based. In 2010 he co-founded SEED, an organisation which seeks to promote school gardening on the island of Ireland. To date, SEED has organised 6 school garden conferences and has planned and constructed 7 school gardens at Bloom. In 2019 Des Murtagh and Paddy launched a new website www.engagewithnature.ie He owes his interest in nature to his parents and a primary school teacher in Lakyle N.S, Whitegate, Co. Clare. Links Listen to Paddy on the Inside Education podcast http://bit.ly/2KJJgyz Paddy's website www.engagewithnature.ie Videos on gardening and information on nature in general and Paddy's weekly blog. An Exploration of the state and status of nature awareness, appreciation and education in the Irish primary school system by Paddy Madden. Available at http://rian.ie/en/item/view/164446.html SEED (www.schoolearthed.ie) Opening the World through Nature Journaling by John Muir Laws, Emily Breunig, Emilie Lygren, Celeste Lopez. Available to download free at https://bit.ly/2M3xn73 Recommended books: Go Wild at School By Paddy Madden. Available from engagewithnature@gmail.com www.engagewithnature.ie Looking at Nature By: Elsie Proctor Wildflowers of Offaly By: John Feehan Gardeners World By: Geoff Hamilton Last Child in the Woods By: Richard Louv How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention By: John Muir Laws. Poems By: Wordsworth The Living Countryside Magazine (out of print) Connect to Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Follow Nature Magic Podcast on Instagram | |||
| 08 Feb 2021 | Episode 26 Sy Montgomery has the soul of an Octopus | 00:34:05 | |
Today Mary is talking to New York Times bestselling author Sy Montgomery. Sy is a multi-award winning nature writer and author of 28 books including ‘The Soul of an Octopus- A surprising exploration into the wonder of consciousness.' It is a deeply touching and enlightening personal story Sy writes for adults and children, for print and broadcast, in America and overseas in an effort to reach as wide an audience as possible at what she considers a critical turning point in human history. “We are on the cusp of either destroying this sweet, green Earth—or revolutionizing the way we understand the rest of animate creation,” she says. “It’s an important time to be writing about the connections we share with our fellow creatures. It’s a great time to be alive.” She speaks frequently at schools and museums, libraries and universities. Sy’s 28 books for both adults and children have garnered many honors. The Soul of an Octopus was a 2015 Finalist for the National Book Awards. The Good Good Pig, her memoir of life with her pig, Christopher Hogwood, is an international bestseller. She is the winner of the 2009 New England Independent Booksellers Association Nonfiction Award, the 2010 Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award, the Henry Bergh Award for Nonfiction (given by the ASPCA for Humane Education) and dozens of other honors. Her work with the man-eating tigers, the subject of her book Spell Of The Tiger, was made into in a National Geographic television documentary she scripted and narrated. Also for National Geographic TV she developed and scripted Mother Bear Man, about her friend, Ben Kilham, who raises and releases orphaned bear cubs, which won a Chris award. Contact Sy and buy her books at: http://symontgomery.com/ Buy the book Nature Magic- How you can engage everyone with biodiversity By Mary Bermingham at: https://amzn.to/3auz19U Connect with Mary at: mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at: www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 22 Feb 2021 | Episode 27 (Nature Educators No 3) Professor Jan White makes a mud kitchen | 00:55:49 | |
Today Mary is talking to Professor Jan White. Jan is a leading thinker and writer on outdoor play and advocate for nature-rich outdoor provision for services for children from birth to seven. She works as an early childhood consultant across the UK, Ireland and internationally Jan has over thirty-eight years’ experience in education and has developed a deep commitment to the consistently powerful effect of the outdoors on young children. With a childhood love of rocks and soil, leading to a degree in Soil Science, a masters in Ecology and post-graduate teaching certificate in Science and Outdoor Education, she realises that she has always been, at heart, a committed mudologist! Jan co-authored the globally influential booklet Making a Mud Kitchen (available in 12 languages) and is author of Playing and Learning Outdoors, now in its 3rd edition. She is honorary Professor of Practice with the University of Wales Trinity St David, and founder/co-director of Early Childhood Outdoors, the national organisation for play, learning and wellbeing outdoors. Making a Mud Kitchen can be downloaded as a free PDF from Muddy Faces’ Outdoor Hub at https://muddyfaces.co.uk/outdoor-hub/mud/mud-kitchen-book Sign up for the weekly ECO blog at https://www.earlychildhoodoutdoors.org/blog/ Recommended books: My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell Tarqa the Otter by Henry Williamson Sharing Nature with Children by Joseph Bharat Cornell Grandfather Twilight by Barbra Berger Frederick by Leo Lionni Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel Ears and the Secret Song by Meryl Dolley Biophilia by E.O. Wilson The Goodness of Rain by Ann Pelo Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Quotation by Kahlil Gibran: “Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair” Contact Jan at www.earlychildhoodoutdoors.org Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary, the home of Nature Magic at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Buy the book Nature Magic- How you can engage everyone with biodiversity at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nature-Magic-Engage-Everyone-Biodiversity/dp/1838105336 | |||
| 08 Mar 2021 | Episode 28 Professor Temple Grandin on the bovine mind | 00:30:09 | |
Professor Temple Grandin is professor of Animal Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University. She is a prominent proponent for the humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and author of more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior. She is a consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, and an autism spokesperson. She is one of the first individuals on the autism spectrum to document the insights she gained from her personal experience of autism. In the 2010 Time 100, an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, she was named among those in the "Heroes" She was the subject of the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning semi-biographical film Temple Grandin. Professor Grandin has been an outspoken proponent of the autism rights and neurodiversity movements. website https://www.templegrandin.com Some of the recommended books by Professor Grandin: Improving animal welfare- a practical approach- 3rd edition Animals in Translation The Autistic Brain Animals make us human Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 22 Mar 2021 | Episode 29 (Nature Educators No 4) Professor David Sobel is otterly delightful | 00:41:04 | |
Today Mary is talking to Professor David Sobel as a contributor to the nature educators series within Nature Magic. David is a Professor in the Education Department at Antioch University New England. He consults and speaks widely on child development and place-based education with schools, environmental organisations and the National Park Service in the US. He has authored eight books and more than 70 articles focused on children and nature for educators, parents, environmentalists and school administrators in the last 30 years. His published books include Beyond Ecophobia and Place-based Education:: Design Principles for Educators and Wild Play, Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors,. His most recent book is Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens published by Redleaf Press. He was recognized as one of the Daring Dozen educational leaders in the United States in 2007. This interview investigates David’s deep connection with nature and how he believes we can foster the innate spiritual connection that children have with the natural world and how this benefits humanity and our planet. Recommended books The Last Beautiful Days of Autumn By: John Nichols The Ecology of Imagination in Childhood By: Edith Cobb The Magical Child By: Joseph Chilton Pearce An Indian Boyhood By: Charles A. Eastman The Tender Carnivore and the Sacred Game By: Paul Shepherd Find books by David Sobel here: https://www.davidsobelauthor.com/davidsobelbooks Contact David: mailto:dsobel@antioch.edu Contact Mary: mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 05 Apr 2021 | Episode 30 Warwick Schiller - What horses teach humans | 00:56:28 | |
Today Mary is speaking to Warwick Schiller. Warwick is a You tube superstar with over 20 million views of his horse training videos. Warwick moved from his home country of Australia in his 20s to the United States. He became NRHA Reserve World Champion representing Australia at the 2010 & 2018 World Equestrian Games. Warwick's ever-evolving training philosophy places the horse's mental well-being at the forefront of every interaction. He now spends his time helping people create deep and meaningful relationships with their horses, by helping them to change their perceptions about their horses and themselves. Warwick has over 600 training videos on his online video platform, designed to create a relaxed, connected and skilled equine partner. His podcast Journey On digs deep into the soul of the horse and the human. Warwick Schiller is changing the way we train the horse and the way we think about ourselves. https://www.youtube.com/c/WarwickSchiller/videos https://www.warwickschiller.com/podcast/ https://www.warwickschiller.com | |||
| 19 Apr 2021 | Episode 31 (Nature Educators No 5) Dr Claire Warden is mending the planet with golden glue | 00:38:05 | |
Today Mary is talking to Dr. Claire Warden. Claire is an advocate for outdoor learning. Among many achievemnts she is Founder of Living Classrooms, the International Association of Nature Pedagogy and the Mindstretchers Academy. Claire is also director of the wonderful Auchlone Nature Kindergarten in Scotland where children spend 80% of their day outside. She received the international award 'Exceptional Master Leader' for her work on the Floorbooks Approach and she has written many other educational books including ‘Nature Kindergartens and Forest schools’ Get in touch with Claire at https://www.Claire-warden.com Check out Auchlone Nature Kindergarten at https://www.auchlone.co.uk Get in touch with Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Recommended books The Little Grey Men By: B.B. | |||
| 03 May 2021 | Episode 32 Janie Chodosh meets the Elephant Doctor of India | 00:34:04 | |
Today Mary is talking to Janie Chodosh, author of 'The Elephant Doctor of India'. She is an undergraduate at the University of Michigan and majored in biology, ecology, natural resources management, creative writing, and poetry. After college, she moved to Yosemite National Park where she worked as a naturalist and educator and learned to rock climb and backcountry ski. For her thesis as a graduate student in the University of Montana's environmental studies she traveled to a rural community on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico to develop an environmental education program focusing on neotropical migratory songbirds (a fancy title for birds that breed in the north and winter south of the border). She moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to work as the education director for the state Audubon Society and later as a teacher. When not writing she loves to hang out with her family, rock climb, try to grow a garden in the arid southwest, bird watch, muck around in cool places, travel, and attempt to play Klezmer music on her violin! Contact Janie through her website with links to all her books https://janiechodosh.com/ Elephant friendly tea https://www.elephantorigins.com Recommended books: The Soul of an Octopus By Sy Montgomery H is for Hawk Vesper Flights By Helen McDonald Beyond Words By Carl Safina Earth's Wild Music By Kathleen Dean Moore Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie The elephant whisperer whose name I couldn't remember in the podcast was Lawrence Anthony. 'No one knows how, but the elephants travelled from one corner of the vast game reserve to the other, and came to Anthony’s home, and stood right outside of it, in the same way as they mourn the passing of one of their family members. They stood there for nearly two days, after which they dispersed again.' | |||
| 17 May 2021 | Episode 33 Ramiro Crego is face to face with a wild puma | 01:04:33 | |
Today Mary is talking to Ramiro D. Crego. Ramiro is a conservation biologist from Argentina, living on the farm at Burren Nature Sanctuary with his wife Nora and their rescue cat, Alba and currently working remotely as a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, USA. Ramiro has been studying birds and mammals inhabiting semi-arid grasslands of Argentina and Kenya, and temperate forests in southern Chile. In his studies, Ramiro investigates how our human actions are affecting ecosystems to find conservation solutions that can benefit both wildlife and the people that live and depend on it. Ramiro is also interested in addressing the interconnection between ecology and society from a biocultural conservation approach, using metaphors that integrate ecological research with philosophy and native American worldviews. www.ramirodcrego.com Recommended books The elephant whisperer By: Lawrence Anthony Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? By: Frans de Waal Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie If you are interested in leasing our award winning cafe and shop please check it out at https://www.daft.ie/commercial-property-for-rent/burren-nature-sanctuary-cloonasee-kinvara-co-galway/3222122 | |||
| 31 May 2021 | Episode 34 Dan Donoher is helping WRI build a Wildlife Hospital | 00:31:26 | |
Today Mary is talking to Dan Donoher Animal Manager of Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland’s brand new Wildlife Hospital. Dan is amongst a group of admirable people who this year started the first Wildlife hospital in Ireland. The emergency facility is in Garlow Cross, County Meath in an adapted barn and stables. Dan worked previously at the wildlife unit in Kildare Animal Foundation. He is an advanced oiled wildlife responder and assistant Instructor on WRI wildlife courses. He is WRI Rehabilitation & Outreach Manager and contributes to radio, TV and print articles to support WRI. The Emergency Hospital in Garlow Cross, Co Meath is a national Hospital, a resource to benefit wildlife from all over the country. It is adapted from an empty barn and stables to cater for injured wild animals, and the volunteers need all the help they can get financially, and in-kind, to have this Hospital fully functional for orphaned and injured wildlife. Contact Dan and check out the wildlife hospital at http://wildlifehospital.ie Check out Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland at http://wri.ie Get in touch with Mary at Mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Book a Fairy Pig Walk at https://www.airbnb.ie/experiences/446234 | |||
| 14 Jun 2021 | Episode 35 Dr Joseph Bruchac beats a drum of hope | 00:49:07 | |
Today Mary is talking to Dr Joseph Bruchac, proud Nulhegan Abeneki citizen and respected elder of his tribe. For over forty years Joseph Bruchac has been creating literature and music that reflects his indigenous heritage and traditions. He is the author of more than 170 books for children and adults. His best selling Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children series, with its remarkable integration of science and folklore, continues to receive critical acclaim and to be used in classrooms throughout the USA. Joseph attended Cornell University from 1960 to 1965, initially majoring in Wildlife Conservation and then switching his major to English, earning a B.A. in English with a minor in Zoology. He attended Syracuse University from 1965-66 on a Creative Writing fellowship and graduated with a Master’s degree in English with a creative writing thesis. He also did 3 years of postgraduate study at SUNY Albany, then transferred to the Union Institute of Ohio where he earned his Ph.D. He has 2 honorary Doctorates — from SUNY Potsdam and Wheelock College (which is now a part of Boston University) His work has won many honours His book Jim Thorpes bright path won the Carter Woodson Book award, he holds among many others a Rockefeller humanities fellowship, the Cherokee nation prose award and the storyteller and writer of the year awards from the wordcraft circle of native writers and storytellers Contact Dr Joseph Bruchac at nudatlog@earthlink.net Visit his website at https://www.josephbruchac.com/ Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Recommended books: Keepers of the Earth By: Dr Joseph Bruchac Joseph Bruchac's newest book: A Peacemaker for Warring Nations:The Founding of the Iroquois League With illustrations by Daniel Kanietakeron Fadden Our Inner Ape By: Dr Frans De Wall Fabres book of Insects By: Jean Henri Fabre Autumn Across America By: Edwin Way Teale A People's Ecology By: Gregory Cajete Recommended author: Roger Tory Peterson Link to Choctaw Feather sculpture famine memorial https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindred_Spirits_(sculpture) Nature Magic Podcast Website https://www.naturemagic.ie Support the Nature Magic podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic | |||
| 28 Jun 2021 | Episode 36 Conor W O Brien and the woolly mammoth | 00:37:44 | |
Today Mary is talking to Conor W. O’Brien, author of Life in Ireland- A short history of a long time. Available to purchase at https://irishacademicpress.ie/product/life-in-ireland-a-short-history-of-a-long-time/ Conor is a wildlife writer and photographer, with a lifelong interest in the natural world. His work has been published in Ireland’s Own, Irish Wildlife magazine and Wings, the official publication of Birdwatch Ireland, in which he wrote about Ireland’s extinct birds. Conor’s first book, Ireland Through Birds: Journeys in Search of a Wild Nation, was nominated for Best Irish Published Book of the Year at the 2019 An Post Irish Book Awards. He is a member of Birdwatch Ireland and the Irish Wildlife Trust, and has given presentations on the great auk and Ireland’s Ice Age fauna to the latter. Conor is from Wicklow Town, he now lives in County Meath. Recommended books: Life in Ireland- A short history of a long time By: Conor W O Brien My Garden World By: Monty Don Europe: A Natural History By: Tim Flannery Our Inner Ape: The best and worst of human nature By: Frans de Waal The cultural lives of whales and dolphins By: Hal Whitehead and Luke Rendell Five in Five- Trinity Botany Department short video on Burren Flora https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYgysq6oUYo Contact Conor at obrienconor@live.ie Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Nature Magic Podcast Website https://www.naturemagic.ie Support the Nature Magic podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic | |||
| 12 Jul 2021 | Episode 37 Gearóid McEvoy is reforesting the nation | 01:06:17 | |
Today Mary is talking to Gearoid McEvoy, a 21-year-old Irish Wildlife Biology graduate and the founder of Reforest Nation that has just hit it's goal of planting 50,000 trees in Ireland. Burren Nature Sanctuary has partnered with Reforest nation to plant 1000 trees this Autumn. Their new goal is 1 million trees planted- listen in to the amazing story of how one young person started Reforest nation in lockdown during a global pandemic. A message from Gearóid... I have a passion for all creatures big and small and I want to do something that really makes a difference for our environment. Of all the things humans have done to destroy the planet, the removal of its trees has to be one of the most noticeable and heartbreaking. Through deforestation, we’ve cut down about half the world’s trees. This amounts to an area about 4 and a half times the size of Europe. Despite how heartbreaking the destruction of the natural world is to me, past and current generations have done little to stop this destruction. That’s why I decided to become a wildlife biologist to help protect endangered species around the world. It's also why I’ve set up this initiative to help give back to my own country’s environment and give an opportunity for others to do the same. I’m going to put my heart and soul into this project along with my passionate team and I hope you’ll be able to see that from the work we’re doing. We have big ambitions to make a big impact and are excited to make our members proud. Let’s get to 1,000,000!!! Check out Reforest Nation at www.reforestnation.ie Recommended books: How did we get into this mess? By: George Monbiot Sapiens By:Yuval Noah Harari Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Nature Magic Podcast website www.naturemagic.ie Support Nature Magic at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic | |||
| 26 Jul 2021 | Episode 38 Aga Grandowicz's remarkable disappearing animals | 00:26:46 | |
Today Mary is talking to Aga Grandowicz. Aga is a multi-award winning art director, graphic designer and wildlife illustrator. Aga studied graphic design, graphic art, fine arts and traditional photography in ASP Gdansk (Academy of Fine Arts Gdansk) and Shortly after completing her masters in 2003, with the highest honours, she set up her graphic design practice and started working for a large variety of Polish businesses. In 2006, in search of adventure and inspiration, Aga has moved to Ireland where she still lives and works. Her first book, created together with Rob Maguire, ‘Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals’ (published by Little Island in 2018) was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards 2018, Literacy Ireland Children’s Book Award 2019, and won Aga the Honour Award for Illustration in CBI’s Book of the Year Award 2019. Since the book’s publication, Aga has been involved in a working on biodiversity-related projects – contributing to them with her design and illustration skills, and now she works towards making it her new career path. Her second book - 'Remarkable creatures - a short guide to Irish disappearing animals', has been published in June 2021 by Natural World Publishing. More info here: https://aga-grandowicz.com/content/about-and-contact Aga is using all her skills to play her part in tackling the biodiversity crisis that is challenging our world Recommended books: Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals Remarkable creatures - a short guide to Irish disappearing animals By: Aga Grandowizc Bonkers about Beetles Fantastic about Frogs Obsessive about Octopuses Smart about Sharks Curious about Crocodiles Mad about Monkeys Crazy about Cats By: Owen Davey Flying Eye Press 30 Second Zoology By: Mark Fellowes Contact Aga at More info here: https://aga-grandowicz.com/content/about-and-contact Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support Nature Magic at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic? | |||
| 09 Aug 2021 | Episode 39 Dr Karen Bacon is topping up your plant awareness | 00:28:59 | |
Today Mary is talking to Dr Karen L. Bacon. Karen is a plant ecologist and palaeoecologist based in Botany & Plant Sciences at the National University of Ireland, Galway. She completed her PhD in plant palaeoecology in 2012 in University College Dublin. After spending several years in the UK, she returned to Ireland in 2019. Dr Bacon’s interests span palaeobotany to modern plant ecology and incorporates elements of plant biology, geology and chemistry. She is particularly interested in understanding plant extinction and how plants respond to environmental change both in a modern context and in relation to environmental upheavals, such as mass extinctions, in the geological record. She is also interested in taphonomy, the science of fossil preservation, and understanding what quality of information can be determined from the fossil record. Her modern ecological research focuses on invasive species, plant chemistry, ecosystem services, and plant awareness (plant blindness). Some links: Dr Karen Bacon NUI Galway page: https://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/people/natural-sciences/kbacon/ Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2020 State of the World’s Plants and Fungi: https://www.kew.org/science/state-of-the-worlds-plants-and-fungi BBC article on plant blindness: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190425-plant-blindness-what-we-lose-with-nature-deficit-disorder Biodiversity: National Biodiversity Data Centre (great resource): https://www.biodiversityireland.ie/ Link to the government page asking the public what research they would like funded. https://creatingourfuture.ie Please go to this page and highlight what you would like funded- (plant biodiversity etc) Some questions for people seeking election: -Do you consider biodiversity and the biodiversity crisis a priority? If no, why not? -How will you fund research and support for biodiversity in Ireland? -What do you think the most important thing the government can do to support biodiversity is? How will you achieve that? Recommended books A walk in the woods By: Bill Byron and William Roberts Wildflowers of Ireland By: Zoe Devlin Contact Mary mary@burrennaturesanctuaryie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary on Instagram, Facebook or on the website www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 23 Aug 2021 | Episode 40 Geeks in suits are fighting for the planet | 00:21:35 | |
Today Mary is talking to Kushal Jayakumar and Anees Ali from the Ecology department of Christ Junior College, Bangalore on their new podcast Geeks in Suits. Geeks in Suits are on a quest to unravel the journeys of experts in various fields with an enquiry on Physis-Nomos! We talk about the biodiversity crisis, species on the edge of extinction and the healing power of nature. Contact Geeks in Suits at 20p0630@cjc.christcollege.edu Contact Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Buy the Nature Magic book at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nature-Magic-Engage-Everyone-Biodiversity-ebook/dp/B08DL7L43M Buy DUST- An Irish Fairy Tale at https://www.amazon.co.uk/DUST-Ms-Mary-Therese-Bermingham/dp/1838105328 | |||
| 06 Sep 2021 | Episode 41 Randal Plunkett 21st Baron of Dunsany is making haste slowly | 00:44:04 | |
Today Mary is talking to Randal Plunkett, 21st Baron of Dunsany Castle, in County Meath. The Plunkett family motto is: Make Haste Slowly and through Randal’s dedication to rewild the estate he is at the forefront of the battle to fight the biodiversity crisis. The ancient slow growing trees are the backbone to the project that leaves 750 acres to nature. A charismatic figure, Randal is a film director and movie maker and as he said himself ‘a bit of a goth’ His latest movie: The Green Sea is available to rent on Sky and You Tube now. It is appropriate to his character that his favourite tree is the Yew, typically found in graveyards. His love for heavy metal music and an inate anger at injustice creates a force to be reckoned with. He is holding up the flag amongst an army of eco warriors to fight against the destruction of nature and our planet. Connect with Randal at randalplunkett@gmail.com Check out Dunsany Estate on Facebook and Instagram Check out Randal Plunkett on Facebook and Instagram Rent The Green Sea on You Tube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNg3ISYG5Jk Recommended book Rewilding by Isabella Tree Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out the Burren Nature Sanctuary café and shop lease at https://www.daft.ie/commercial-properties-for-rent/kinvara-galway Nature Magic Website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 20 Sep 2021 | Episode 42 Joe Slattery is healing with horses | 00:49:12 | |
Today Mary is talking to Joe Slattery. Joe is an Experienced Addiction counsellor and coordinator of the NorthStar Family Support Project, a community based project in Limerick , Joe is a specialist in-dealing with issues of substance abuse with adolescents and their families. Joe is the Irish network coordinator and advanced certified in the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Counselling and CEO of JS Equine Assisted Therapies. Joe is a public speaker/educator in the area of drug abuse and disadvantage and the important role horses can play in supporting people to heal from emotional and physical distress. He is TEDx talk is well worth a watch- Joe shares his own experience of growing up in a socially deprived area of Ireland and how horses helped him cope in that environment. Contact Joe at https://jsequinetherapies.ie/ Watch Joe's Tedx talk here https://www.ted.com/talks/joe_slattery_how_horses_can_help_us_to_find_the_answers_from_within Watch Joe on the Tommy Tiernan Show on the RTE player Check out the Eagle method on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/user/EAGALAVideos Recommended book Transforming Therapy Through Horses (Eagala method) By:Lynn Thomas, Mark Little and Brenda Dammann This episode is sponsored by Martin Bunzl Check out Martin's new book Thinking While Walking - Reflections while walking the Pacific Crest Trail https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-while-Walking-Reflections-Pacific/dp/0578882221 | |||
| 04 Oct 2021 | Episode 43 Professor Martin Bunzl wonders if viruses have rights | 00:34:44 | |
Today Mary is talking to Professor Martin Bunzl. Martin taught Philosophy at Rutgers University in New Jersey for 40 years Much of his work has revolved around the nature of scientific knowledge and in his new book Thinking While Walking reflections on the pacific quest trail….. He delves into difficult topics such as these. •Millions of trees along the trail are being destroyed by beetles. If we have a duty of respect to nature, why does that respect not extend to the beetles? •We have rights, and perhaps other animals do as well, but does nature itself have rights? If not, how do we ground our duty to respect it? •We have inherited a distinction between the natural and the “man-made”. How does that affect how we think about nature and our relationship to it? It was a lot of fun discussing nature and ethics with Martin and I am sure you will enjoy trying to figure out these mind riddles that will inhabit your thinking for days after the conversation… Check out Professor Bunzl's book 'Thinking While Walking, reflections on the Pacific Crest Trail' at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0949J8939 Contact Professor Martin Bunzl at www.mbunzl.com Recommended books A Theory of Justice By: John Rawls Naming and Necessity By: Saul Kripke An Inconvenient Truth By:Al Gore Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 18 Oct 2021 | Episode 44 Nikita Zimov is turning back time in the Arctic | 00:45:56 | |
Today Mary is talking to Nikita Zimov, director of Pleistocene park. Nikita is a Russian scientist at the cutting edge of the fight against climate change. Nikita and his father Sergey have been resurrecting an Ice Age biome since 1998. Pleistocene Park is a major initiative that includes an attempt to restore the mammoth steppe ecosystem, which was dominant in the Arctic in the late Pleistocene era. The initiative requires replacement of the current unproductive northern ecosystems by highly productive pastures which have both a high animal density and a high rate of biocycling. (Biocycling is the cycle through which energy and essential substances are transferred among species) Grazing ecosystems in the Arctic promote climate cooling through series of ecological effects. Experiments with animal reintroductions were begun in 1988 including 8 major herbivore species: reindeer, Yakutian horse, moose, bison, musk ox, yak, Kalmykian cow and sheep. It will soon hopefully welcome the genetically cloned Woolly Mammoth that is predicted to be born in the next six years. This project has the capacity to spread across the Arctic region and reduce worldwide carbon emissions by up to 20%. We have much to thank these tough resilient scientists who started and have been running Pleistocene Park with no recognition until very recently. Suddenly everyones heads are turned in their direction and the world is looking at their important work and their life’s quest to save this planet. Nikita Zimov is the Director of Pleistocene Park, a nature reserve on the Kolyma River south of Chersky in the Sakha Republic, Russia, in northeastern Siberia. In the early 2000s, Nikita attended one of Russia’s top science high schools, in Novosibirsk, and then stayed there at the state university for undergraduate and master’s degrees in math and computer modeling. Nikita grew up on the research station and returned to the Arctic after graduation to contribute to the scientific discoveries and development of the Pleistocene Park. The park is a scientific experiment on reconstruction of grazing ecosystems in the Arctic and mitigating climate change. It was originally found by Sergey Zimov, Nikita’s father, in 1988. The aim of the project and Zimov’s work is to research the climatic effects of the expected changes in the ecosystem as it relates to permafrost melting. Contact Nikita and check out the project at https://pleistocenepark.ru Recommended book 39 Ways to save the planet By:Tom Heap Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie We would like to thank Professor Martin Bunzl for sponsoring this episode Find his new book Thinking While Walking https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-while-Walking-Reflections-Pacific/dp/0578882221 www.mbunzl.com | |||
| 01 Nov 2021 | Episode 45 We need more wildlife warriors like Matilda | 00:09:19 | |
Today Mary is speaking to Wildlife warrior Matilda. Matilda moved from Australia to Ireland a couple of years ago. Matilda is a conservationist and activist and we became aquainted two years ago when she was running a fundraiser for wildlife aged 6 She is part of the Australian zoo wildlife warrior programme. The vision of the programme is that people, wildlife and habitat survive and prosper without being detrimental to the existence of each other. Their mission is to be the most effective wildlife conservation organisation in the world through the delivery of outstanding outcome-based programs and projects, inclusive of humanity. Matilda was inspired by seeing Steve Irwin on TV and when she visited the Australian zoo that he founded. She has a facebook page Wildlife Warrior Matilda and runs fun events in her area including litter picking days. We all have this innate love for nature and wildlife but somewhere along the way life distracts us. Matilda is on the podcast today to remind you how we should all be caring for our fellow creatures. Recommended book Santa Koala by Colin Buchanan Check out the Australia Zoo https://wildlifewarriors.org.au Contact Wildlife Warrior Matilda at https://www.facebook.com/wildlifewarriormatilda Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 15 Nov 2021 | Episode 46 (Nature Educators No 6) Nancy Striniste is designing a natural world | 00:32:32 | |
Today Mary is talking to Nancy Striniste, as part of our mini series of nature educators. Nancy has a lot of amazing advice to offer. She is Director of East Coast Programs for Green Schoolyards America; and founder and principal designer at EarlySpace. Nancy has a unique background as both a landscape designer and an early childhood educator and she has worked with schools, childcare centers, municipalities and organizations across America to create beautiful, sustainably designed natural play and learning spaces. Nancy is the author of Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces that Connect Children to the Natural World. She teaches at Antioch University New England in their Nature-based Early Childhood Education Graduate Program, serves on the Nature Play Work Group of the Maryland Partnership for Children and Nature, and on the Leadership Team of NoVA Outside. Recommended books: Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas for Schoolyard Transformation by Sharon Danks Schools That Heal: Design with Mental Health in Mind by Claire Latané How to Grow a School Garden: A Complete Guide for Parents and Teachers by Arden Buckin- Sporer and Rachel Kathleen Pringle. (that one is out of print but available used online) The websites mentioned are GreenSchoolyards.org The National Outdoor Learning Library can be found at https://www.greenschoolyards.org/covid-learn-outside Contact Nancy at www.earlyspace.com Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 29 Nov 2021 | Episode 47 Conor Ruane is giving a voice to Irish rivers | 00:39:47 | |
Today Mary is talking to Conor Ruane. Conor is a Community Water Officer with the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) covering Galway and South Roscommon. Conor works with voluntary groups to support projects focusing on the protection of rivers, lakes, coastal, and groundwater. Conor previously worked as a freshwater ecologist carrying out ecological surveys and river restoration works. More Information on LAWPRO; https://lawaters.ie/ The Draft River Basin Management Plan; https://drbmp-vcr.ie/ Funding for community groups; https://lawaters.ie/funding/ Conor’s Twitter; https://twitter.com/ruane22 LAWPRO Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAWPROteam LAWPRO Twitter; https://twitter.com/watersprogramme?lang=en Recommended books Wilding By: Isabella Tree Contact Conor Ruane at cruane@lawaters.ie Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 13 Dec 2021 | Episode 48 When The Bald Eagle rode the Gulf Stream to Ireland | 00:17:11 | |
The nature magic podcast is taking a short break - We wish you all a very happy holidays and for the final episode of 2021 Today Mary is reading a short story that she wrote based on real life events. Thank you for all the support spreading a positive voice for nature from Ireland- See you in 2022! Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 21 Mar 2022 | Episode 50 Elaine Butler is zeroing in on fast fashion | 00:50:40 | |
Today Mary is talking to Elaine Butler. Elaine runs the website Living Lightly in Ireland. This website is a sustainable living guide with all the information needed to live a greener life; from where to shop, to what to cook. She has been featured in the Irish Times, The Irish Independent, and on Radio 1, RTE and Virgin Media. https://livinglightlyinireland.com For second hand clothes try Depop https://www.depop.com/ | |||
| 07 Mar 2022 | Episode 49 Lisa Tully is speaking to animals | 00:28:53 | |
Welcome back to Nature Magic after our winter hibernation! Today Mary is talking to Lisa Tully. Lisa is professional animal healer & communicator She has an international practice working with all kinds of species. Lisa travelled to Mongolia to study shamanic healing for animals. During her studies she learnt to identify the root causes behind any mental, emotional, physical or spiritual challenges animal companions may be facing & she creates holistic programs to heal them. With a science background she understands both sides of the coin and collaborates with homeopathic vets when needed. By communicating directly with animals of all kinds she gives them a voice, thus, deepening our human understanding of their essential nature, needs and messages. Working through photos or in person her work reaches any animal anywhere. www.animalhealing.ie www.horsehealing.ie Social media @animalhealinglisatully Recommended book: Wild Health by Cindy Engel | |||
| 18 Apr 2022 | Episode 51 John Carrig speaks up for the Barn Owl | 00:44:34 | |
Today Mary is talking to John Carrig. John set up The Barn Owl project in January 2019 to help with conservation of Barn Owls in Ireland. Johnis a published wildlife photographer and has been involved in wildlife conservation and rescue for many years. The project team consists of a number of wildlife experts covering conservation rescue and rehabilitation of Barn Owls in Ireland. Find John on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Barnowlprojectireland Or on his website at https://www.thebarnowlproject.com Recommended book Barn Owl Trust Conservation Handbook A Comprehensive Guide for Ecologists, Surveyors, Land Managers and Ornithologists - Conservation Handbooks Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 02 May 2022 | Episode 52 Janet Jones explores the equine brain | 00:37:54 | |
Today Mary is talking to Janet Jones. Janet applies brain science to the training of horses and riders. She earned her Ph.D. from UCLA and taught the neuroscience of perception, language, memory, and thought for 23 years. Janet trained horses at a large stable early in her career, and later ran a successful horse training business of her own. She has schooled hundreds of green or difficult horses and competed in hunter, jumper, halter, reining, and western pleasure disciplines. Her 2020 book Horse Brain, Human Brain won Japan’s Equine Culture Award and is being translated into seven languages. www.janet-jones.com www.facebook.com/Janet-Jones-Horse-Brains-104485187713379/ www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/horse-brain-human-brain Photo of Janet by The Untamed Image Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 16 May 2022 | Episode 53 Harrison Gardner is building a more sustainable Ireland | 00:34:55 | |
Today Mary is talking to Harrison Gardner. Harrison is a builder, teacher and co-founder of Common Knowledge, the non-profit social enterprise focused on sharing skills for a sustainable life. He has 15 years experience designing and managing the construction of conventional, sustainable and alternative buildings worldwide. His current focus is on facilitating the creation of community spaces whilst teaching the core construction principles and techniques needed to build more efficient, affordable and sustainable structures. He has just released a new book entitled BUILD YOUR OWN, instructing owner-builders on the fundamentals of construction, and is currently filming ‘Build Your Own’, a 5 part TV series with RTE which is due to broadcast in the Autumn of 2022. https://www.harrisongardner.net/ Buy the book! https://bit.ly/3wlSfK0 Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 27 Jun 2022 | Episode 56 Éanna ní Lamhna is passionate about Our Wild World | 00:17:58 | |
Today Mary is speaking to Éanna Ní Lamhna.Éanna is an Irish biologist, environmental consultant, radio and television presenter, author and educator. She is one of the best-known public figures in Ireland in the area of nature and the environment. Her books include Talking Wild, Wild and Wonderful and Straight Talking Wild. Her latest book Our Wild World From the birds and bees to our boglands and the ice caps is available from O Brien Press Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 30 May 2022 | Episode 54 Féidhlim Harty is simply cleaning up Ireland's water | 00:22:09 | |
Féidhlim Harty is an environmental consultant and writer. His company, FH Wetland Systems, established in 1996, offers designs and guidance on waterway repair and rewilding, eco-friendly wastewater treatment, and holistic landuse management for catchment protection and regeneration. His recent books include Towards Zero Waste and Permaculture Guide to Reed Beds. www.wetlandsystems.ie | |||
| 13 Jun 2022 | Episode 55 The National Biodiversity Conference 2022 Act Now for Nature | 00:12:27 | |
Today Mary gives a brief outline of her experience at the National Biodiversity Conference in Dublin Castle that took place over two days in June 2022. Act Now For Nature https://www.biodiversityconference.ie/ | |||
| 11 Jul 2022 | Episode 57 Dr Stephen Newton is birdwatching in Ireland | 00:38:36 | |
Today Mary is talking to Dr Stephen Newton. senior Seabird Conservation Officer Stephen is responsible for managing the long-term conservation projects at Rockabill (Roseate Terns), Kilcoole (Little Terns) and a variety of other seabird monitoring and research initiatives, including the FAME and MarPAMM programmes which have focused on deploying loggers on seabirds to identify key feeding areas and migration strategies. Away from seabirds, Stephen has coordinated surveys of Choughs, upland birds and was a member of the team who developed the ‘Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland’ concept back in 1999. He is also Chairperson of the Irish Rare Breeding Birds Panel and in his spare-time is a keen local patch ‘Birdtracker’. Recommended books Collins Bird Guide By: Lars Svensson Contact Dr Stephen Newton at info@birdwatchireland.ie Find ways to get involved here https://birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved/ https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/birdtrack Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 25 Jul 2022 | Episode 58 Mary Bermingham describes The Burren Nature Sanctuary | 00:07:40 | |
After various requests this week's episode is a brief description of The Burren Nature Sanctuary; it's vision and mission. Mary paints a picture of the home of Nature Magic to help people place the podcast in the landscape that it is broadcasting from. Visit the website www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie to find out more Or email Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 08 Aug 2022 | Episode 59 Ruth Hanniffy is protecting the Pine Martin | 00:44:58 | |
Ruth Hanniffy is a Conservation Biologist with Vincent Wildlife Trust. For the past 17 years, she has worked across disciplines including geomorphology, river restoration, freshwater fisheries, terrestrial mammal conservation, innovative survey techniques and the relationship between people and nature. Her current areas of research are on mustelids and bats, particularly the lesser horseshoe bat, pine marten and Irish stoat, with previous research on small mammals, water vole, otter and European mink. Ruth is a guest lecturer in NUI Galway on mustelids and mammal survey techniques and she manages www.pinemarten.ie on behalf of VWT and NPWS. She is also a wildlife and landscape photographer and creates short films on nature. Recommended book: https://www.nhbs.com/pine-martens-book Ruth Hanniffy Species Project Officer Vincent Wildlife Trust Room 101 School of Natural Sciences Martin Ryan Building National University of Ireland, Galway H91 TK33 mailto:ruthhanniffy@vwt.org.uk https://www.vincentwildlife.ie/ https://biodiversityireland.ie https://pinemarten.ie/ | |||
| 22 Aug 2022 | Episode 60 Doug Allan is talking to Belugas | 00:52:58 | |
Today Mary is talking to Doug Allan. Doug is an Award-winning natural history photographer, documentary filmmaker, diver, author and public speaker. Doug’s photographic awards include eight Emmys, five BAFTAs and five Wildscreen Pandas. In his 35 years of filming he’s been involved with more than 65 films, freelancing for the BBC, Discovery, National Geographic and others. He was principal cameraman on many prestigious award-winning programmes, making over 25 trips to the Antarctic and more than 30 across the Arctic, filming for series including Hostile Planet, Forces of Nature, Operation Iceberg, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants, Human Planet, Life, Planet Earth, The Blue Planet and Life in the Freezer. Doug is on tour in Ireland - check out the dates on his website https://dougallan.com Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 05 Sep 2022 | Episode 61 Gavin Pretor-Pinney appreciates clouds | 00:34:59 | |
Today Mary is talking to Gavin Pretor-Pinney. Gavin is founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, which has over 58,000 members in 120 countries. He is the author of the internationally bestselling Cloudspotter’s Guide and Cloud Collector’s Handbook as well as A Cloud A Day. Gavin is a winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. He is a TED Global speaker with over 1.3 million views. He has presented television documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4 and is a Visiting Fellow at the Meteorology Department of Reading University and winner of the Royal Meteorological Society’s Michael Hunt award. Gavin co-founded the Idler, a magazine that argues for the importance of downtime in creative thinking. Join the Cloud Appreciation Society https://cloudappreciationsociety.org Get the book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cloud-Day-Gavin-Pretor-Pinney Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 19 Sep 2022 | Episode 62 Neil Campbell is saving seeds | 00:10:48 | |
Today Mary is talking to Neil Campbell, an ecologist living in Galway and helping Dr Colin Kelleher from the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin with the National Native seed bank project Neil has Masters and undergraduate degrees in Botany and Plant Sciences from NUI Galway He is interested in preserving and improving biodiversity and natural habitats with an interest in native Irish plants. Contact Neil Campbell at ncampbell@mkoireland.ie Contact Dr Colin Kelleher at botanicgardens@opw.ie Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 03 Oct 2022 | Episode 63 L K Howells is creating Stories of Change | 00:28:36 | |
Today Mary is talking to Laura Kate (LK) Howells. LK designs and delivers environmental education programs inspired by nature, led by creativity, driven by solutions, and based on the notion that small actions done by many can make a big difference through her business Essentially Eco. This year she was 1 of 15 out of 166 applicants that received the Creative Ireland Climate Action Fund for her project Stories of Change. Stories of Change is a storytelling project that tells the tales of good people around Ireland doing good things for Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share. She believes creativity is instrumental in communicating the challenges of the climate crisis and believes stories and solutions are an effective vehicle to stimulate interest, ignite the imagination and empower community-led climate action. When she isn’t busy writing stories, organising exhibitions, or exploring South Kerry she is working for Concern Worldwide planning COP ON. A climate action festival of music, art, talks, and workshops. “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is. Youer than You.” DR Seuss. Resources COP ON Festival - New tab (copon.ie) Website - STORIES OF CHANGE - stories of good people Instagram - Stories and Climate Solutions (@stories_of_change_) • Instagram photos and videos Join the Stories of Change Collective. Submit your story of change - Stories of Change. (google.com) Recommended books Big Magic - E Gilbert Eat like a Fish- Bren Smith Rupi Kaur (poetry) Get in touch with LK at laurakatehowells@gmail.com Get in touch with Mary at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie Photo of LK by Harry Kerr from Memory Factory | |||
| 24 Oct 2022 | Episode 64 Jack O Donovan Trá is fighting for Fair Seas | 00:36:28 | |
Today Mary is talking to Jack O’Donovan Trá. Jack is the Communications Officer at Fair Seas. Jack is blending the art of good comms with marine science to bring the message of ocean protection to a wide audience in an engaging and impactful way. Jack is a marine biologist by training and moved into comms and campaigns in 2018, and has since worked with many large international environmental coalitions and campaigns across Europe. Recommended books Thirty two words for field By: Manchan Magan Tree Dog By: Manchan Magan Contact Jack O Donovan at www.fairseas.ie Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 07 Nov 2022 | Episode 65 Matthew Parkinson is growing Slow Cabins | 00:19:46 | |
Today Mary is talking to Matthew Parkinson. Matthew is Director of Slow Cabins Ireland - a slow tourism focused accommodation start up. A Tyrone native who now calls Galway home, Slow Cabins was developed in Ireland through lockdown in conjunction with their Belgium sister business. Slow Cabins Ireland places off-grid cabins in hidden gem locations around Ireland, hoping to persuade people to take a short break here rather than flying away to far flung destinations abroad. Core to their business is working with partners in areas of natural beauty to help support and improve the host site. The Burren Nature Sanctuary just outside Kinvara is Slow Cabins Ireland first location and working together the pair aim to help preserve and share the sanctuary with visitors for years to come. Recommended books In Praise of Slow By: Carl Honore The Hatchet By: Gary Paulson Contact Matthew Parkinson www.slowcabins.ie Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 22 Nov 2022 | Episode 66 Minister Malcolm Noonan's good news for nature in Ireland | 00:24:44 | |
Today Mary is talking to Minister Malcolm Noonan. He is a TD representing the Carlow Kilkenny Constituency and was appointed Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform in July 2020. First elected to Kilkenny Borough Council and Kilkenny County Council in 2004, he has served sixteen years in local government and was Mayor of Kilkenny in 2009; the first Green Party Mayor in the City’s long history. He served for a short time as Irish Delegate on the EU Committee of the Regions and Co-Chair of the All Island Nuclear Free Local Authorities Forum. Malcolm’s background prior to entering electoral politics was in environmental and community activism, as a director and national coordinator with Friends of the Earth Ireland and involvement in community-based activism; biodiversity, climate action, mobility, disability advocacy, integration, Traveller development and mental health. His professional work has spanned landscape gardening, suicide prevention and graphic design. He holds qualifications in industrial design and a BA(Hons) in Rural Development. Contact Malcolm Noonan at mos@housing.gov.ie Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 05 Dec 2022 | Episode 67 Time to hibernate! | 00:02:56 | |
A thank you to all our wonderful guests this year and a Christmas gift The Song of Wandering Aengus by William Butler Yeats | |||
| 01 Feb 2023 | Episode 68 Davin Butler is building a copper orchid | 00:16:49 | |
Welcome to the 2023 season of Nature Magic. It is hard to believe we are on episode 68 and have spoken to all those incredible nature advocates. This year we are changing it up a bit, we are focusing on crafts as a medium to connect people to nature. This series was sparked from a new project that is in progress at Burren Nature Sanctuary. We obtained a Leaser grant towards some audio artworks to help interpret the biodiversity of the Burren around the walks. The three sculptures are a 7 foot Ladies Tresses Orchid at the Meadow, a large dragonfly at the Turlough and a stone badger in the karst limestone habitat. Each sculpture will be accommpanyied by a wind up audio feature in five languages. As the new series topic is so visual we are adding a you tube video to each episode so you can immerse yourself in world of the craftspeople and see the process. We are moving from fortnightly to monthly episodes to accommodate the extra work in editing the videos. Our first guest is Davin Butler from Butler Sculputre. Davin is the youngest sibling in the butler family. He started sculpting in his teens and continued to do so part-time throughout college where he studied web development, before realising he wanted to do sculpting full-time. He draws inspiration and techniques from the rest of the family and focuses mostly on nature, the ocean, and people. He likes tribal and mythological art, and tries to blend this into the medium of copper.Davin has also been experimenting with applying different coloured enamels to his sculptures. His work has been displayed in galleries across Ireland, as well as in the 2 Michelin Star restaurant; Aimsir, in Kildare. We have loved Butler sculpture for many years and are delighted to launch our new series with Davin Butler as our guest. Please check out the you tube video on the Burren Nature Sanctuary channel, https://youtu.be/f21tsAmnO8M as it is a lot of fun to see how Davin is building the large Ladies Tresses and also to take a sneaky look into the workshop and see the other pieces in the exhibition room. And call to see us when we reopen on April 1 and hopefully we will have up to three new sculptures installed! Contact Davin Butler at www.butlersculptures.com Contact Mary Bermingham atmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Contact Martyn or Lindsay at Lima Design Studio at www.limastudio.co.uk Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast athttps://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 06 Mar 2023 | Episode 69 Emma Rushworth is creating a giant dragonfly | 00:31:59 | |
Today Mary is talking to Emma Jane Rushworth. We are very excited that Emma is in the process of making a giant dragonfly for Burren Nature Sanctuary as part of our new interpretive trail. Emma has been making wire sculptures since 2015. Her Love For Wildlife And The Great Outdoors Shines Through In Her Work. She Works Continually On Commissioned Pieces In Her Workshop In Greystones County Wicklow Ireland. She Has Worked On A Number Of Projects This Year 2021 Including A Very Special Memorial Tree For The Lauralynn Children’s Hospice. Contact Emma To Commission Your Unique And Special Piece For A Gift To Celebrate A Family Milestone Or To Cheer Up The Garden On A Winter Day. These Pieces Will Last A Lifetime In Your Garden. Her Commercial Work Included A Blackbird In Hands For The New Saint Kevan Port Hotel In Dublin And A Wildlife Scene On A Roundabout In Cobh Cork. Emma loves this quote “WE’RE ALL DIFFERENT. BUT THERE’S SOMETHING KIND OF FANTASTIC ABOUT THAT, ISN’T THERE? ” — FANTASTIC MR FOX Contact Emma at www.emmajanerushworth.ie Contact Martyn or Lindsay at Lima Design Studio at www.limastudio.co.uk mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast athttps://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 03 Apr 2023 | Episode 70 Jethro Sheen is carving a badger | 00:34:51 | |
Today Mary is talking to Jethro Sheen. Jethro runs a stone carving business, Sheenstoneworks in Gort, South county Galway. He grew up in the countryside on a mountain with stunning views out over the Burren in County Clare. As children he had a very active outdoors lifestyle that was very close to nature on a day to day basis and also with hiking, camping and caving adventures both near and far. He started working with stone at around aged 14, and at aged 22 after a few years abroad started his own business. He has been in the South Galway area for the past twenty years, the past ten of which have been at the premises, a beautiful old historical stone house in Gort, which he now owns. It is here that he has his sculpture showrooms and gardens which are a constant work in progress. You can view his work at www.sheenstoneworks.ie and under the same name on facebook. Recommended book The Secret Life of Trees by Colin Tudge Contact Professor Jethro Sheen at www.sheenworks.ie Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast athttps://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show website www.naturemagic.ie YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@burrennaturesanctuary4758 | |||
| 01 May 2023 | 71 Ambrose and Brid let the tree live on | 00:26:00 | |
Today Mary is talking to Ambrose and Brid, master wood turners. We talk about the craft and the philosophy behind the creative arts. Ambrose began woodturning in 1993, he is interested in craft education His belief is that stated by W.B. Yeats “Education is not filling a pail, but lighting a fire”.His articles have been published by the former International Woodturning Centre in Philadelphia USA (now Centre for Wood Art).Ambrose believes that craft is the bridge between technology and art. He believes without a deep insight into the philosophy of the craft, any maker only possesses motor and dexterity skills. For craft to have real meaning and depth and relevance, it needs to have soul.All of these facets – making, teaching, writing and demonstrating reinforce each other and help to make me a better maker, a better teacher and, most of all, a better student. He describes himself as a true student of the woodturning field. Brid began woodturning in the year 2000. She makes functional items and one-off pieces of jewellery. She likes making small pieces as she is interested in exploring the shared qualities between woodturning and jewellery and use small pieces of wood with an interesting grain. As she works she enjoys revealing the unique beauty of each piece of wood. Often hidden on the back of the piece, is some little detail put there for the wearer's enjoyment only. Most of the pieces are made from native Irish woodsRecommended books Contact Ambrose or Brid at www.ambroseandbrid.com Recommended books: Unknown Craftsman Bernard Leech The Element Ken Robinson Why we make things and why does it matter Peter Korn Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie Support the Nature Magic Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/naturemagic Show websitewww.naturemagic.ie | |||
| 05 Jun 2023 | 72 Richard Nairn loves Ireland's Wild Waters | 00:35:23 | |
Today Mary is talking to Richard Nairn. Richard is an ecologist and writer. His latest book is Wild Waters which is the third title in a trilogy which includes Wild Woods and Wild Shores. He is a lifetime naturalist who has worked as a nature reserve warden and was the first National Director of Birdwatch Ireland. He lives on a small farm in County Wicklow. Wild waters by Richard Nairn and published by Gill books is now available to purchase in book shops and online. Contact Richard Nairn at r.nairn236@gmail.com Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 03 Jul 2023 | 73 Eoghan Daltun loves an Irish Atlantic Rainforest | 00:46:09 | |
Today Mary is talking to Eoghan Daltun. Eoghan is a sculpture conservator, a High Nature Value farmer and, above all, a rewilder. Originally from Dublin, since 2009 he has lived with his two sons, Liam and Seánie, on their 73-acre farm near Eyeries on the Beara Peninsula, West Cork. He released his hugely successful and award winning book late last year. An Irish Atlantic Rainforest winner of the An Post Irish Book Award winner, 2022 'The stories are absorbing, the writing charismatic and the ideas thought-provoking' Irish Independent 'Fascinating ... a manifesto for saving our own corner of the planet through letting things be' Irish Times, The Gloss 'Daltun writes with passion and purpose of the way we should live now' RTÉ Guide On the Beara peninsula in West Cork, a temperate rainforest flourishes. It is the life work of Eoghan Daltun, who had a vision to rewild a 73-acre farm he bought, moving there from Dublin with his family in 2009. An Irish Atlantic Rainforest charts that remarkable journey. Part memoir, part environmental treatise, as a wild forest bursts into life before our eyes, we're invited to consider the burning issues of our time: climate breakdown, ecological collapse, and why our very survival as a species requires that we urgently and radically transform our relationship with nature. This is a story as much about doing nothing as taking action - allowing natural ecosystems to return and thrive without interference, and in doing so heal an ailing planet. Powerfully descriptive, lovingly told, An Irish Atlantic Rainforest presents an enduring picture of the regenerative force of nature, and how one Irishman let it happen. Contact Eoghan Daltun at www.beararainforest.com Buy the book online at www.gutterbookshop.com www.booksupstarirs.ie www.kennys.ie www.easons.ie Contact Mary Bermingham atmary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 07 Aug 2023 | 74 Isabella Tree is rewilding with hope | 00:31:28 | |
Today Mary is talking to Isabella Tree. Isabella is an award-winning journalist and author, and lives with her husband, the conservationist Charlie Burrell, in the middle of a pioneering rewilding project in West Sussex. She is author of six non-fiction books. Her book Wilding, the story of the ambitious journey she and Charlie undertook to rewild their farm, has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide and been translated into 8 languages. It won the Richard Jefferies prize for nature writing, was shortlisted for the Wainwright prize and was one of the Smithsonian’s top ten science books for 2018. In 2020 Isabella was awarded a CIEEM Medal for her contribution to ecology and environmental management, and in 2021 she received the Royal Geographical Society’s Ness Award. She served on the Mayor of London’s 2022/3 Rewilding London Task Force. The Book of Wilding – a practical guide to rewilding big and small is published by Bloomsbury (2023) and has been described as ‘a handbook of hope’ and ‘an indispensable guide to the restoration of the living planet’. Recommended books : Wilding By: Isabella Tree The book of Wilding - A practical guide to rewilding big and small by Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrel Contact Isabella through www.knepp.co.uk Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Listen to Ours To Protect with Mary Bermingham here https://galwaybayfm.ie/podcasts/ours-to-protect-with-john-morley-ep-8/ Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 04 Sep 2023 | 75 Lorraine Fletcher is painting foxes | 00:15:38 | |
Today Mary is talking to Galway based artist Lorraine Fletcher. Lorraine's wildlife-inspired prints and giftware showcase the beauty and strength in animals through colour. Her studio is based here at The Burren Nature Sanctuary where there are endless inspirational views and wildlife.The paintings are a combination of vivid colours and focus on the subject, with the grey backgrounds the focus is on the animal. Expressions and compositions are important in Lorraine’s work, with an importance on the beauty and strength in each animal, from the elegant stag to the curious and powerful owl. Lorraine also offers group and one to one wildlife painting workshops. Contact Lorraine Fletcher at lorrainefletcherartstudio.com Contact Mary Bermingham at mary@burrennaturesanctuary.ie Check out Burren Nature Sanctuary at www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie | |||
| 02 Oct 2023 | 76 Victoria Beeler The Butterfly Lady | 00:29:49 | |
Today Mary is talking to Victoria Beeler. Victoria is a butterfly enthusiast and enjoys gardening, wildlife, nature, and learning. She and her family have helped with the Smith-Gilbert Gardens butterfly exhibit in Kennesaw, Georgia, U.S.A., and with releasing butterflies there. They have raised Monarchs—from eggs, to caterpillars, to chrysalis, and to emerging butterflies—in an outdoor butterfly garden habitat at home near Atlanta for the first time last fall and then released them into the wild to migrate! It was truly an incredible, inspiring, and transformative experience! Victoria has written a documentary book about her Monarch experience with raising and releasing them. In Journey with Monarchs: A Personal Experience of Raising and Releasing Monarchs in the Home Garden, she combines photos of the Monarchs’ life stages and personal knowledge about Monarchs with the science. Monarchs are so special, and their legacy can be continued by planting native milkweed. Monarchs have also inspired Victoria to give native milkweed seeds as gifts (seeds of hope) to family and friends and Monarch books to children in her community to save and protect Monarchs and continue their legacy. Monarchs bring joy, hope, and continuity. Nature is a blessing. Planting native milkweed and creating a wildlife habitat are important to helping Monarchs, as well as birds, pollinators, and the ecosystem. It also connects people. All of creation is interconnected and weaves together a unique, dynamic tapestry of life. Victoria hopes that, together, we can spread joy to all and save the Monarchs and wildlife! Victoria's suggestions How We Can Support Nature: · Create natural habitat in our yards and communities to support the full life cycles and food webs of local biodiversity and restore species populations. -Garden, pocket prairie/meadow (mini-prairie/meadow). -Try to let it grow naturally. Limit mowing to pathways (reduce mowing). · Provide host and nectar plants (host-plant specialists / plant-insect interactions; no milkweed, no monarchs; no flowers, no pollinators; no insects, no balance). -“Insects are the animals that are best at transferring energy from plants to other animals…” (Doug Tallamy, Nature’s Best Hope, 2019). -Also include a “puddling station,” a place in the habitat area where butterflies and moths can absorb minerals from muddy soil and pebbles (place pebbles in a tray with water and mud). · Plant native plants and keystone plants (most beneficial to local ecosystems and increase biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and ecosystem function). -Top 20 native trees, like the oak, cherry, and willow, support over 5,000 butterfly and moth species (Tallamy, Nature’s Best Hope, 2019). -Oaks support about 557 caterpillar species- more than any one plant; oaks make the most food; excellent for supporting local food webs; oak = top keystone plant species. -Five percent of the local keystone plant species can host up to 75 percent of local Lepidoptera species (including some local keystone plant species benefits greatly) (Tallamy, Nature’s Best Hope, 2019). -U.S. resource: National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plants Finder, which shows the native plants by zip code that support local species and food webs. -Try to remove and replace non-native, invasive species with native plants. -Balance: Plant mostly native plants, with some exceptions (a habitat space with primarily native and keystone plants benefits greatly; helps local ecosystem; having some native plants is better than none). -Replace with native plants gradually (manageable segments/tasks/goals); a process. · Provide shelter for non-migratory, overwintering butterflies and moths (safe caterpillar pupation sites) -Leaf litter for moth caterpillars to drop from their host trees, burrow into the leaves and/or soil, and spin their cocoons. -Leaf litter is also a food source for some caterpillars. -Leave plant stems, which provide nesting cavities for native bee species & pupation sites for caterpillars. -Fallen logs & branches, which provide nesting sites for native bee species. -Leave a bundle of sticks or brush pile for birds, other animals, & native bees to nest. -Thick or uncut vegetation. -Leave some weeds, which are host plants to some butterflies and moths. -“Leave an area of uncut grass all year round to provide shelter for pupating caterpillars (especially caterpillars that feed on grass) and for butterflies in reproductive diapause” (Biodiversity Ireland, “Gardening for Butterflies,” 2023). -Native trees to shelter roosting butterflies. -Include hedgerows (hawthorn and holly) -Have a layered landscape (horizontal layer—understory, with woodland/shade plants; middle layer—shrubs; and vertical layer—overstory/canopy, with trees). -Have a “continuous sequence of flowering plants (plants that flower continuously; perennials; benefits butterflies, moths, bees, and other pollinators)” (Tallamy, Nature’s Best Hope, 2019). · Feed the insects to feed the birds (create a garden/habitat space that welcomes all of nature). -A plant is a bird feeder, a pollinator feeder, and much more. · Pesticide-free/chemical-free. · Can include container plants. · If outdoor lighting (artificial light, which interferes with nocturnal insects and birds) is used, consider motion sensor lights instead (not continuous light) -Nocturnal insects (moths) usually get nectar from nocturnal flowers and need natural light from the moon (not artificial light) to find host and nectar plants and to mate; become easy targets for predators (visible) (Tallamy, Nature’s Best Hope, 2019). · Shade-grown coffee grown under native trees (shelter for birds). · Participate in citizen/community science (butterfly tagging and butterfly counts). -U.S.: -Monarch Watch tagging and the North American Butterfly Association’s butterfly counts; Monarch Joint Venture and Save Our Monarchs (monarch organizations). -Other resources—Stokes Butterfly Book: The Complete Guide to Butterfly Gardening, Identification, and Behavior (1993) by Donald and Lillian Stokes and Ernest Williams -“MrLundScience” YouTube channel -Wings in the Meadow (1967) by Jo Brewer -Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants (2019) by Doug Tallamy -Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard (2019) by Doug Tallamy -The Living Landscape (2012) by Rick Dark and Doug Tallamy -Ireland: -Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (apart of the National Biodiversity Data Centre of Ireland)—note butterfly populations, flight patterns, and habitat availability from April-September. -Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count (Northern Ireland)—count the butterflies seen in a 15-minute period and upload results online. -Ireland threatened butterflies and moths (large white, small white, green-veined white, ringlet, small tortoiseshell, small copper, speckled wood, meadow brown, red admiral, peacock, painted lady, holly blue, common blue, six-spot burnet, and silver-Y). -Butterfly Conservation Ireland’s National Garden Butterfly Survey—record butterflies seen in your garden over a 3-month period (https://butterflyconservation.ie). · Ireland butterfly resources -National Biodiversity Data Centre (Ireland)—“Ireland’s Butterfly Series—Gardening for Butterflies: Helping Butterflies with Native Plants” PDF resource (https://biodiversityireland.ie). -Butterfly Conservation (Northern Ireland Branch)—“Do It Yourself” resources on butterfly and moth events, volunteering, counts and activities, and gardening (https://butterfly-conservation.org). · Ireland native larval host plants: -Buckthorn (brimstone butterfly) -Clovers (clouded yellow butterfly) -Nettle (comma, peacock, red admiral, and small tortoiseshell butterflies) -Trefoil and vetch (common blue and wood white butterflies) -Garlic mustard and watercress (green-veined white and orange-tip butterflies) -Holly and ivy (holly blue butterfly) -Brassicaceae family of plants and nasturtiums (large white and small white butterflies) -Fescues and meadow grasses (meadow brown and small heath butterflies) -Thistles (painted lady butterfly) -Violets (fritillary butterfly) -Sorrel (small copper butterfly) · Ireland native nectar plants: -Sedum -Verbena -Sage https://biodiversityireland.ie/app/uploads/2023/06/Rewilding-Yo | |||
| 05 Nov 2023 | 77 Time to hibernate! | 00:05:45 | |
Mary Bermingham wraps up the year with a short report on 2023 at The Burren Nature Sanctuary and a poem inspired by native Irish Trees. The Song of Ogham. | |||
| 17 Apr 2024 | 78 Anna Murphy is requesting legal rights for nature | 00:23:22 | |
Today Mary is talking to Anna Murphy. Anna moved to Kinvara in 2001 and raised her three children here, and works in the village. Her main passion is environmental activism, and she has been involved in Plastic Free Kinvara, Kinvara Climate Action, the Ballindereen Kinvara Tree gang and now Rights of Nature Galway. Activism gives me hope and can help with eco anxiety. " We need to re-imagine our relationship with Nature, and protect it for this and future generations to head off a looming sixth mass extinction" rightsofnaturegalway@gmail.com www.ejni.net/rights-of-nature Kinvara and Ballindereen tree gang www.facebook.com/KBtreegang/ Recommended book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer | |||
| 14 Jun 2024 | 79 Jim and Mark are birds of a feather | 00:39:49 | |
The Birds of Ireland, Jim Wilson with photography by Mark Carmody – Today Mary is talking to Jim Wilson and Mark Carmody. Jim Wilson in a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader and former chairman of Birdwatch Ireland. Mark Carmody has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a European Patent Attorney. He is an award winning wildlife photographer. They have published a brand-new edition of this birdwatching field guide by leading experts (and uncle-nephew duo!) Jim Wilson and Mark Carmody at the end of March. It’s the only photographic identification guide of its kind in Ireland and has been updated to include climate and habitat changes, 1600 photos and a list of birds of birds of conservation concern also. Their driving force behind the book was to increase awareness of Ireland’s national heritage and landscape. Its publication date falls around springtime when the days are getting longer, and people are keen to explore nature around them. This book is the perfect companion! Buy the book | |||
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