I’m Dr. Adam Forbes a forest and restoration ecologist. Join me as I capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conservation. Follow this podcast to hear unique content on our natural world, straight from the mouths of the experts.
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What is Environmental DNA (eDNA) and How Can it Help? - A Conversation with Dr Shaun Wilkinson
Saison 1 · Épisode 4
mardi 10 septembre 2024 • Durée 27:06
In this episode I am joined by Dr Shaun Wilkinson. Shaun is a leading expert in eDNA monitoring and the CEO and founder of the DNA sequencing lab, Wilderlab. Shaun explains many aspects of eDNA monitoring and tells me about some exciting applications of this emerging monitoring technique. I hope you enjoy this episode.
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways:
1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others,
Forest Landscape Restoration and Assisted Natural Regeneration - A Conversation with Emeritus Prof. Robin Chazdon
Saison 1 · Épisode 3
jeudi 6 juin 2024 • Durée 30:14
In this episode I was fortunate to have Emeritus Professor Robin Chazdon join me for a discussion about her work in Forest Landscape Restoration and Assisted Natural Regeneration. It is very interesting to contemplate applications of Robin's expertise in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways:
1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others,
Oceanic Manta Ray in Aotearoa - Lydia Green and Manta Watch New Zealand
Saison 1 · Épisode 2
jeudi 16 mai 2024 • Durée 29:04
In this episode Lydia Green, the Founder and Project Director of the Manta Watch New Zealand Charitable Trust, joins me to discuss her work with the Oceanic Manta Ray in the waters of Aotearoa and across the South Pacific Ocean.
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways:
1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others,
If you’d like to contact me, you can do so via email: or via my website
Long-term Restoration and Tree Growing – A Conversation with Prof. Karen Holl
Saison 1 · Épisode 1
vendredi 26 avril 2024 • Durée 30:15
In this episode I speak with Professor Karen Holl about her experiences with long-term forest restoration research, global tree planting campaigns, how restoration fits with addressing global climate and biodiversity crises, and some of her fieldwork activities. Hope you enjoy the episode.
About the podcast:
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways:
1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others,
A Crisis of Imagination: Dr Mike Joy on Rethinking Water, Growth, and What Matters
Épisode 11
mercredi 23 juillet 2025 • Durée 35:14
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Mike Joy, one of New Zealand’s most respected and outspoken freshwater ecologists. A former dairy farm worker turned academic, Mike’s journey into environmental science was driven by what he witnessed firsthand—degrading waterways and the ecological cost of intensive agriculture. He went on to earn a PhD in ecology and freshwater biology and has since become a leading voice on the health of our rivers and lakes.
I speak with Mike about the state of Aotearoa’s freshwater systems and what they reveal about the way we live. We discuss the urgent need to change how we manage land, water, and resources in the face of climate disruption—and how systemic, rather than superficial, change is our best path forward. It’s a conversation about truth, courage, and hope for our environmental future.
Summary
Mike painted a sobering picture of the state of freshwater in Aotearoa—where three-quarters of our native freshwater fish are now threatened or at risk, and even our drinking water poses a risk to human health. The root causes are clear: the relentless intensification of dairy farming and an economic model that rewards pollution while ignoring the true costs of environmental harm.
Mike challenges us to flip the script—asking not how we can afford to change, but how we can afford not to. Prevention is not only better than cure—it’s far cheaper. His message is grounded in both science and common sense: reduce intensity, reduce harm.
More broadly, Mike questions our obsession with perpetual economic growth, reminding us that Gross Domestic Product is one of the most reliable indicators of environmental degradation. At the heart of it, this is a crisis of sustainability—but also a crisis of imagination.
A simpler life, lived within the limits of our energy and resources, can be richer, healthier, and more fulfilling. If we’re brave enough to let go of excess, we might just discover a better way forward.
About the podcast:
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Let Nature Lead: Dr Hugh Wilson on Restoring Hinewai Reserve
Épisode 10
mercredi 23 juillet 2025 • Durée 31:08
In this episode of Nature Conversations, I sit down in person with renowned botanist Dr Hugh Wilson, the driving force behind Hinewai Reserve, a groundbreaking native forest regeneration project in New Zealand. For over 40 years, Hugh has championed a philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing nature to do the heavy lifting in ecological restoration. In our conversation, Hugh shares candid insights into the challenges, successes, and surprises of restoring 1600 hectares of former farmland. From battling bureaucracy to witnessing the return of rare species, Hugh’s story is one of perseverance, inspiration, and a deep trust in nature’s ability to heal itself.
Summary
Hugh has spent decades dedicated to ecological restoration, proving that nature itself is the most powerful force for forest restoration. At Hinewai Reserve, he has embraced a minimal interference approach, using gorse—a plant often considered a pest—as a natural nurse crop to protect young native seedlings. This method has successfully restored over 1600 hectares of native forest without the need for extensive tree planting.
However, Hugh’s journey has not been without challenges. He faced significant resistance from authorities who enforced strict noxious plant regulations, requiring a long battle to prove that gorse was actually aiding regeneration rather than hindering it. Pest control has been another ongoing struggle. While Hinewai has finally eradicated feral goats, the team is now tackling the impact of browsing deer, aiming for their complete removal to protect the young forest. A small handful of exotic weeds have been a concern, but careful management has helped prevent them from overwhelming native species.
Despite these obstacles, the project has been a resounding success. The most rewarding outcome for Hugh has been witnessing the remarkable natural regeneration of native forest cover. Thousands of visitors now explore Hinewai, providing enthusiastic feedback and drawing inspiration from the reserve’s transformation. Scientists and conservationists frequently visit to study the recovering ecosystem, and the return of rare plants and breeding native falcons highlights the project’s ecological significance.
Hugh’s core message is one of encouragement: let nature lead the way. He believes that for every tree humans plant, nature establishes a million more. While challenges like bureaucracy and moments of discouragement are inevitable, he urges others to trust in the resilience of natural systems. Every day at Hinewai brings new highlights, from unexpected plant reappearances to the joy of seeing his workers thrive in a deeply meaningful project. His work stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we step back and allow nature to restore itself.
Fire, Flora, and Flammability - A Conversation with Associate Professor Tim Curran
Épisode 9
jeudi 27 février 2025 • Durée 54:56
In this episode of Nature Conversations, I speak with Associate Professor Tim Curran, a plant ecologist specialising in plant flammability and extreme disturbance events like fire, drought, and cyclones. Tim discusses his work on measuring plant flammability and how plant traits influence fire behaviour, with a focus on identifying low-flammability species to create green firebreaks. These firebreaks not only help reduce wildfire spread but also support biodiversity restoration and ecosystem services. Tim highlights the historical shift in New Zealand's ecology, where fire was once less influential but is now exacerbated by climate change. As wildfires become more frequent, Tim stresses the importance of understanding fire behavior and taking proactive measures to mitigate risks. His work offers critical insights into fire management, plant resilience, and the future of fire science. Tune in for an in-depth conversation about plant ecology, fire risk, and climate change solutions.
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
Restoring Waingake: Transforming Plantation Clearfells into Thriving Native Forests - A Conversation with Amy England
Épisode 7
mercredi 29 janvier 2025 • Durée 31:33
In this episode I’m speaking with Amy England who is the Regional Biodiversity Transformation Manager at the Gisborne District Council. Amy has had a career centered on conservation and has been central to the planning and delivery of the Waingake Transformation Programme. Amy is the perfect person to tell us all about this nationally significant restoration project.
Note: I have advised on this project as a professional ecologist.
I hope you enjoy this episode!
Links to Amy's work and the Waingake Transformation Programme:
If you'd like to make contact with Amy please contact the Gisborne District Council - www.gdc.govt.nz
Walking the Length of New Zealand Counting Every Bird – A Conversation with Dr Colin Miskelly
Épisode 8
dimanche 19 janvier 2025 • Durée 34:01
Dr Colin Miskelly has been keen on natural history all of his life and has progressed through a long career with the NZ Department of Conservation. He is currently the Curator of Vertebrates at The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Colin joined me on the podcast to discuss his big adventure - walking the length of New Zealand and counting all the birds he saw or heard from the trail, both day and night!
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways:
1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others,
2 – via my Patreon account (you can even support for free)
Skyline Tier: Tasmania’s Largest Restoration Project Reviving 2,000ha of Native Forest – A Conversation with Todd Dudley
Épisode 6
mardi 17 décembre 2024 • Durée 23:05
In this episode I am joined by Todd Dudley. Todd is the President of the North East Bioregional Network in Tasmania and he has been working as a Bush Regenerator in Australia for 40 years. Todd was a key initiator of the Skyline Tier Restoration Project, which is successfully applying Assisted Natural Regeneration techniques to restore native forest across 2000 ha of radiata pine clear fells in north-eastern Tasmania. Todd was very generous giving his time to speak on the Nature Conversations podcast and who better to discuss landscape-scale restoration in Tasmania with than Todd?!
I hope you enjoy this episode!
Links to Todds work and the Skyline Tier Restoration Project work:
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways:
1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others,
Dr Mike Joy, New Zealand freshwater crisis, Aotearoa rivers and lakes, intensive dairy farming impact, freshwater ecology New Zealand, climate disruption and water, environmental sustainability podcast, ecological collapse warning, systemic change vs superficial change, pollution and economic growth, GDP and environmental harm, sustainable land and water use, crisis of imagination, rethinking economic growth, climate change and agriculture, natural resource limits, drinking water safety NZ, regenerative environmental thinking, preventing environmental damage, truth about New Zealand’s waterways
And a huge thanks to Alison Evans for making this episode possible, travelling with me to meet Hugh at Hinewai! The bird song featured in the episode is a korimako/bellbird recorded in a māhoe tree while walking down the track to meet Hugh on the day of the interview.
Hope you enjoy this episode!
About the podcast:
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways:
1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others,
plant ecology, flammability, fire behavior, plant traits, wildfire prevention, drought, firebreaks, New Zealand ecology, plant science, climate change, biodiversity restoration, fire risk, fire mitigation, green firebreaks, ecosystem services, Tim Curran, extreme disturbances, fire science, plant response to fire, wildfires, fire prevention, environmental science
About the podcast:
Hi! I’m Dr Adam Forbes. I am an Ecologist who specialises in the restoration of forest ecosystems. The Nature Conversations Podcast isn’t about me, however, the purpose of the podcast is to capture knowledge and insights from remarkable people and profile important issues for ecology and nature conversation.
Supporting the podcast and connecting with me:
If you like the content of the podcast, you can support its creation in the following ways:
1 – following, liking, rating and sharing the podcast or episodes with others,
