Explore every episode of the podcast Conservation and Science
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife In The Balance with Simon Mustoe | 03 Sep 2024 | 01:05:35 | |
This is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read. Although I don’t agree with everything in the book, I can overlook my disagreements because of how brilliant some parts that I do agree with are. So I couldn’t wait to sit down with the author, expert ecologist, Simon Mustoe for a chat about his views and, of course, about the book. In his book, “Wildlife in The Balance”, Simon lays out the case for animals being the most important ingredient of the ecosystem. He outlines the critical importance of keeping the planet’s energy inputs and outputs in balance and the role animals play in ensuring this balance. This connection of ecology with physics is one of the most unique and forward-thinking aspects of this book. To extend this thought, it contains one of the most comprehensive and compelling explanations of why the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis are in fact one and the same — neither can be solved separately. After reading this book, I started to question many things that I had thought to be unequivocally true. For example, the removal of overabundant species, like deer, that are thought to be having a negative effect on the local ecosystem. I’m not saying that I think it’s not true anymore, but it made me question whether it is really true. Buy "Wildlife in the Balance" here. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Tommy’s Outdoors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk Mentioned in this episode: This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday. | |||
| 184: Novel Ecosystems and Nature-Based Solutions with Marcus Collier | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:59:49 | |
Are humans part of nature or separate from it? How do we define native species, and should we always strive to eradicate invasive ones? Can urban green spaces play a role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss? And what is the Anthropocene anyway? These are only some of the questions I discussed with Dr. Marcus Collier, an Associate Professor of Sustainability Science at Trinity College Dublin. His expertise in nature-based solutions gives us a new perspective on answering these complex questions and a fresh approach to environmental issues. In this episode, we talk about the fascinating world of novel ecosystems. We explore the complex relationship between humans and nature while challenging traditional notions of ecosystem restoration and conservation. I asked Marcus to clarify the concept of the Anthropocene and its implications for our understanding of the human impact on the environment. We also didn’t shy away from the controversies surrounding invasive species and ecological restoration practices. Marcus shares his insights on how our perception of time and history influences our approach to ecosystem management and highlights the challenges of defining a "natural" state in an ever-changing world. Then our conversation shifts to cultural landscapes and urban environments, highlighting the importance of nature-based solutions in cities. Marcus emphasises the benefits of urban greening initiatives, from improved air quality to enhanced mental health, while acknowledging potential drawbacks like gentrification. He advocates for a multifaceted approach to environmental challenges, emphasising the need for both technological and nature-based solutions for issues such as water quality and climate change. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| 175: SOTKA Wetlands with Veli-Matti Pekkarinen and Heikki Helle | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:58:54 | |
Finnish SOTKA is a large-scale habitat restoration project and a part of a larger Helmi Habitats Programme aimed at restoring Finland’s biodiversity. It is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of the Environment. SOTKA’s objective is large-scale habitat restoration through wetlands rehabilitation, restoration of mires and catchments, non-native (i.e. invasive) predator control and building a network of resting areas for waterfowl. It is also a great example of cooperation between hunting and non-hunting organisations for the benefit of nature. This type of cooperation is something I’ve always been a strong advocate of. So it was my great pleasure to invite to the podcast: Veli-Matti Pekkarinen, the Waterfowl Habitat Specialist from the Finnish Hunters’ Association and Heikki Helle, the Wetland Specialist at BirdLife Finland. Listen to our conversation to learn more about SOTKA and Helmi projects. We also discuss the details of cooperation and specific actions that are undertaken to meet project objectives. I also enquired about the social perception in Finland of actions like predator control. Overall it was interesting to compare mindsets and attitudes in Finland with those in Ireland or the UK. Also, big shoutouts to Padraig Breen from NARGC who was instrumental in making this podcast episode happen. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 85: Time nor Tide with Ben Harkin | 09 Dec 2020 | 01:23:17 | |
Climate change, in one way or another, is mentioned in almost every episode of my podcast. But with the exception of episode 38, which was a recorded public talk, I have never dedicated a whole episode to this important issue. But today we’re going to jump right into this subject with Ben Harkin who wrote a book about climate change in the Irish context. Ben is a young man who decided to put to good use the extra time he had available during the lockdown and wrote a book about climate change! Not only that, he also self-published it to avoid any delays with getting his message out. Talk about a good use of time! I read the book and must say that I’m blown away by it. It is well written and covers a wide spectrum of climate change issues. Ben put a lot of effort into research for the book and all key information and statements are backed up with ample references to scientific papers, press releases, governmental documents and other books. In the book, Ben makes many refreshing observations that I have not heard before. What are they? You need to buy the book and read it for yourself! One thing for sure you won’t regret your purchase. And with the Christmas season around the corner, you just might have an excellent gift idea! Given all of the above, I was really pleased to be able to sit down with Ben and talk about his book. In this episode, we not only discuss some of the issues he mentions but also his motives and the process of writing the book. I am very happy with this episode and Ben is a great man. Go, listen, and then buy the book! Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 84: Basking Sharks with Natasha Phillips and Amy Garbett | 25 Nov 2020 | 01:07:09 | |
In this episode, I had the pleasure to talk once again with scientists from SeaMonitor project. This time our guests were Dr Natasha Phillips and Dr Amy Garbett. Our conversation was focused on Basking Sharks but while at it we discussed a whole range of other subjects as well, like genetic connectivity, biotelemetry and bioinformatics. There is nothing like a conversation with scientists who are genuinely passionate about their work. If you are interested in marine biology, sharks and science you can’t afford to miss this episode! Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 83: Tracking Seals with Sam L Cox | 10 Nov 2020 | 01:13:16 | |
This is yet another episode of the podcast where we talk about seals. This time I hit you with a healthy dose of unbiased, evidence-based knowledge. Actually, that’s not me doing the hitting but our guest Dr Sam L Cox who is a quantitative ecologist and researcher for the SeaMonitor project. In our conversation, we discuss the behaviour and spatial ecology of harbour seals which are tracked using GPS tags glued to their head. But that’s not all, Sam has done a lot of research studying other, more exotic, species of seals, like elephant seals. So, we discuss that too! We also touch on the anthropogenic impact on seals and mobile marine predators in general. This is one interesting episode. Enjoy! Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 82: Outdoor Therapy with Ruth Allen | 27 Oct 2020 | 01:10:38 | |
The benefits of being outdoors for our mental health and wellbeing have been discussed on the podcast a few times already. But this is a subject that is always worth revisiting. Especially when my guest’s impressive resume guarantees a fresh and well-developed approach. And so in this episode, our guest is Dr Ruth Allen, an outdoor and online counselling therapist, professional development coach, and experienced consultant, trainer and facilitator. During the podcast, we discuss the importance of connecting with nature, being comfortable with one’s own company and thoughts, dealing with negativity, the destructive effects of social media and the need to disconnect in today’s always-online world. http://whitepeakwellbeing.com/about Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 81: Skates and Marine Rewilding with Patrick Collins | 14 Oct 2020 | 01:23:45 | |
Not that long ago I wrote a blog post about angling for endangered fish species, including the common skate, which is highly sought after as a trophy catch. These elusive fish, however, are classified as critically endangered and unfortunately, we don’t have much information about their life history. So I welcomed the opportunity to talk with Dr Patrick Collins who is a marine biologist at Queen’s University Belfast where he works on large scale marine rewilding. Currently, he is focusing on translocation of the locally extirpated flapper skate. Patrick is also an angler. A perfect combination! So whether you are interested in marine biology, rewilding, or you’re an angler who wants to learn more about skates, this episode is for you! This episode was possible thanks to SeaMonitor marine research project. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 80: Into the Wilderness with Byron Pace | 30 Sep 2020 | 01:37:42 | |
Byron Pace needs no introduction to most of you. He is a man of many talents: a filmmaker, photographer, writer and the host of the excellent Into The Wilderness and Into The Anthropocene podcasts. Given that we share many topics, and even guests, on our podcasts I was delighted to talk with Byron. During our conversation, we discussed the importance of hunters and anglers for wildlife conservation and education about the natural world. We also delved into the subject of rewilding. Obviously, I didn’t forget to ask Byron about his road to becoming such a prominent outdoors content creator. For me, this truly is a milestone episode. Please enjoy Tommy’s Outdoors number 80. https://www.byronpace.co.uk/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Mentioned in this episode: DOWNLOAD: | |||
| Episode 79: SeaMonitor and Ocean Tracking Network with Ross McGill and Fred Whoriskey | 16 Sep 2020 | 01:30:16 | |
On Tommy’s Outdoors, we spend a lot of time talking about fish tagging programs and various types of research supported by them. But our guests today are taking this concept to an entirely new level. They are Ross McGill, the Principal Project Officer for SeaMonitor at Loughs Agency and Dr Fred Whoriskey, the Executive Director at Ocean Tracking Network. If research and monitoring of marine wildlife and the environment is your cup of tea you will be delighted to hear from these two gentlemen. During the podcast, we talk about the SeaMonitor project itself as well as the technology used in the research, from Bluetooth enabled GPS tags all the way to autonomous submarines and seagoing drones. https://www.loughs-agency.org/managing-our-loughs/funded-programmes/current-programmes/sea-monitor/ https://oceantrackingnetwork.org/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 78: Human-Seal Conflict with Liam Flannery and Dan Brosnan | 02 Sep 2020 | 01:17:44 | |
In episode 72 we started a discussion about seals in Ireland. As you might remember, at the time, I said that we wouldn’t get into the subject of human-seal conflict in that episode, as this is a complex subject that requires its own discussion. Since then, I’ve wanted to cover it from all angles but it has been difficult to find people willing to talk about it on record. Clearly there are a lot of emotions surrounding this issue. Then, one day, I received a call from Dan Brosnan, who is a friend of the podcast and was our guest on one of the previous episodes. Dan got in touch with a young fisherman, Liam Flannery, who is trying his hardest to raise awareness about the problems that seals are causing for local fishermen. Before long we got all mic’d up and recorded this episode. Obviously, we didn’t cover everything on this topic. So, if you have an opinion that you would like to share, please leave a comment. Better still, contact me directly and we’ll keep this discussion going. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 77: Sweden is Hunting with Andreas Michalik | 19 Aug 2020 | 01:39:26 | |
This is a really delicious episode for all hunters who want to learn about hunting in Sweden. Our guest, Andreas Michalik, is a Swedish hunter and fellow blogger at https://swedenishunting.com/ During the podcast we dig deep into what hunting is like in Sweden. We discuss regulations, the public perception of hunting and Andreas’ personal journey to becoming a hunter. We also talk in detail about hunting moose, bears, wolves, seals and many other species. After you are done listening to this episode, don’t forget to follow Andreas on his excellent Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/swedenishunting/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Mentioned in this episode: DOWNLOAD: | |||
| Episode 76: The True Green Alliance with Ron Thomson | 04 Aug 2020 | 01:26:25 | |
Ron Thomson should be well known to anyone interested in wildlife management on the African continent. He started his career as a game ranger in 1959. Throughout his career, he has worked in Africa's biggest and most prestigious game reserves. He has published fourteen books and we can safely say that he is one of the most experienced African big game hunters alive today. Ron is also the CEO of the True Green Alliance whose vision is to create a global society that is properly informed about the principles and practices of wildlife management. During our conversation, we discuss the realities of wildlife management focusing particularly on elephant population management and current problems with it. These problems include overpopulation in some areas and a negative impact on the habitat and on other species of wildlife. We also talk about what an elephant cull operation looks like and finish with a few words about eating elephant meat. https://www.mahohboh.org/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Mentioned in this episode: DOWNLOAD: | |||
| 174: Not A Conservationist | 26 Mar 2024 | 00:11:01 | |
Many people claim they are conservationists. But are they really? Inspired by your comments and some discussions that I had in the past, I decided to talk about this subject. This episode was recorded outdoors, on the beautiful Irish coast of county Kerry. So, don’t be surprised to hear chough calling in the background or some occasional gusts of wind. It is another in the series of solo episodes that I’m going to publish this year. In those I present the views that I have developed after many years of making this podcast which include not only conversations with experts but also attendance at conferences and reading countless books on these subjects. You can treat those as bonus episodes. The episodes where I interview scientists, conservationists and people with a love for nature and the outdoors are still coming on a fortnightly schedule. If you’re interested in hearing more from me, have a suggestion for future episodes or want to leave feedback, please contact me through the contact form. If you’re an event organiser and would like me to speak at your event, go and check out the following link. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 75: Rewilding Ireland | 22 Jul 2020 | 01:34:24 | |
This is yet another episode where my guest and I take on the subject of rewilding. This time our guest is the host of the discussion platform called Rewilding Ireland. During the podcast, we talk in length about various aspects of rewilding but we also talk about the future of the Rewilding Ireland platform. And towards the end of the podcast, we spend some time discussing whether or not megafauna should be a part of our rewilding efforts. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 74: Marine Recreational Angling with Diarmuid Ryan | 08 Jul 2020 | 01:34:15 | |
A few weeks ago Inland Fisheries Ireland distributed an online survey through social media, looking to gather information from all Irish sea anglers. The survey was part of a new programme called the Irish Marine Recreational Sea Angling Survey or IMREC for short. IMREC’s aim is to show how fishing activities relate to stock levels. The collected data can improve the management of fish stocks and hopefully preserve them for future generations. Since this is an area of great interest not only to me but also to all sea anglers, I contacted Diarmuid Ryan, the program manager for IMREC, and invited him to the podcast. Diarmuid kindly accepted the invitation and today I am bringing you our conversation. Out of all the topics we discussed, we probably spent a disproportionate amount of time talking about bass angling with lures. But I’m not going to apologize for that! Even if you’re not into lure bass fishing, in this episode you will find plenty of interesting and important information. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 73: Quantitative Ecology with Kilian Murphy | 24 Jun 2020 | 01:02:20 | |
Is it possible to use artificial intelligence to tell us how rewilding will look in any area where it is implemented? Is it possible to create a computer model that would tell us how the species eradicated from the landscape hundreds of years ago would behave when reintroduced? Listen to my conversation with Kilian Murphy where we talk about such models. During the podcast, we discuss the possibility of reintroducing wolves and wild boars to Ireland, and the difference in perception of rewilding between city-dwellers and farmers. We also touch on the role hunters have to play in rewilding projects and discuss the dynamics and density of the deer population in Ireland. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 72: Seal Rescue Ireland with Mel Robinson | 14 Jun 2020 | 00:59:06 | |
In this episode, I talk with Mel Robinson who is the Director Of Animal Care for Seal Rescue Ireland. While listening to this episode you can learn what Seal Rescue Ireland is, how and why they are helping seals, as well as a few rather interesting facts about seals.In the podcast, we purposely did not delve into the issue of human-seal conflict. To me, it is a complex and interesting problem and I feel like it deserves to be discussed separately. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 71: The European Federation for Hunting and Conservation with David Scallan | 26 May 2020 | 01:03:42 | |
The European Federation for Hunting and Conservation, or FACE for short, is an international organization that represents the interests of European hunters. It serves as a bridge between the institutions of the European Union and hunters.In episode 59 I talked with Dan Curley, the chairman of NARGC, the Irish member organization of FACE. Today, however, we’re going to talk about hunting from the European perspective, with our guest, FACE Secretary General, Dr. David Scallan.During our conversation, we discuss the biodiversity manifesto, rewilding projects, hunting’s PR, as well as the ongoing process aimed at restricting the use of lead in field sports. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Mentioned in this episode: DOWNLOAD: | |||
| Episode 70: Field Sports with Matt Cross | 12 May 2020 | 00:52:25 | |
As regular listeners to the podcast might remember, in episode 47 we hosted Matt Cross, a field sports journalist, writer and blogger. At that time, we talked about yet another unlawful killing of a hen harrier. That episode was specifically focused on the issue of raptor persecution and we didn’t have a chance to tap into Matt's vast knowledge about field sports.Today we’re going to fix that as we discuss a number of topics including grouse moors management, rewilding, the ethics of field sports, the difference between the terms “shooting” and “hunting” in the UK context, and the move away from using lead in shooting. I’m sure you will enjoy our conversation. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Mentioned in this episode: DOWNLOAD: | |||
| Episode 69: The Impact of COVID-19 on Wildlife Conservation with Adam Hart | 28 Apr 2020 | 00:43:34 | |
Professor Adam Hart was our guest on the podcast not long ago, in episode 66. However, given the unusual situation we are going through globally, we decided to get together again just a few weeks later. The reason is to discuss the devastating effect the COVID-19 pandemic is having on wildlife conservation. Major sources of funding for conservation, like tourism and hunting, have dried-up overnight. And with the general turmoil and uncertainty, conservation enforcement has been weakened and poaching is on the rise. We also explore the idea of a connection between the coronavirus and biodiversity loss.If you care about wildlife and conservation you should definitely listen to this episode, learn about the situation and see if, and how, you can help. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 68: Rewilding, Wolves and Biodiversity with Pádraic Fogarty | 14 Apr 2020 | 01:03:50 | |
Pádraic is well known to my podcast listeners. He was our guest in episodes 20 and 35. And in episode 62 I talked with Patrick Cross about his work inspired by Pádraic’s book. There have been many things I have wanted to talk with Pádraic about since our last podcast, which was a year and a half ago. So today I am pleased to bring you another conversation with Pádraic. We talk about rewilding, reintroduction of wolves and lynx and, last but not least, if there is a connection between the coronavirus and biodiversity loss. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 67: World Sport Fishing with Richard Sheard | 31 Mar 2020 | 01:24:33 | |
I had the pleasure to fish with Richard a number of years ago on the waters of Bjagos Islands archipelago in Guinea Bissau. That is without a doubt one of the highlights of my angling career. Richard runs World Sport Fishing, a fishing and shooting holiday outfit. So if you are after a bucket list angling experience, definitely check out their website or simply give them a call!I probably waited way too long to invite Richard to the podcast. But today, we finally sat down and had a chat about fulfilling your sport-fishing dreams. http://www.worldsportfishing.com/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 66: African Wildlife Conservation with Adam Hart | 18 Mar 2020 | 01:16:10 | |
The issue of African wildlife conservation is very complex and difficult. There are many factors that have to be considered, some of them are literally a matter of life and death. All that immersed in a highly emotional atmosphere. This subject is infinitely interesting to me. So, today I am delighted to bring you my conversation with biologist, broadcaster, academic and author, Professor Adam Hart. During the podcast, we discuss the elephant situation in Botswana, the role of rural communities in wildlife management and the highly emotional subject of trophy hunting. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Mentioned in this episode: DOWNLOAD: | |||
| 173: The Last Keeper with Tom Opre | 19 Mar 2024 | 01:23:06 | |
I have been waiting for Tom Opre’s new film “The Last Keeper” since I learned in July 2022 that he and his team are working on it. Well, the wait was over for me at the beginning of February 2024, as I was the only person in Ireland to screen the film. The wait will soon be over for you as well since the film premieres in mid-April in Edinburgh. While you are still waiting, you can listen to my conversation with Tom about the film and wider aspects of Tom’s mission of talking about conservation and indigenous communities. The Last Keeper is a documentary film that takes on the difficult subject of conflict surrounding land use in Scotland. It does a great job of presenting the views from all sides of the struggle. From estate owners, keepers and members of local communities to environmental NGOs, politicians and proponents of rewilding. On top of that, the conversations presented are not just dry statements of opinion. Tom is not shying away from asking difficult questions and pushing his interviewees outside their comfort zone. All that is complemented by brilliant cinematography showcasing stunning views of Scottish landscapes. As this episode drops before the premiere of the film, we are careful to not spill the beans too much during our conversation. Instead, Tom gives you an insight into what drives him to do all his work and how it connects to the topic of his latest film. I fully expect a full range of opinions about the film and the views it presents. It will likely justify a follow-up episode with reactions to the film from those who are facing the issues presented or are just interested in them. For now, enjoy our conversation and don’t forget to subscribe to The Last Keeper newsletter to see the film’s trailer and stay updated about the film’s screening dates and the latest news about it. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 65: Multi-day Backpacking with Victoria Livschitz | 04 Mar 2020 | 01:05:03 | |
Victoria Livschitz is a very successful, serial tech entrepreneur in Silicon Valley whose hectic life was profoundly changed by multi-day backpacking. That activity made her both physically and mentally healthier and better able to deal with stress at work and at home. On the podcast, we talk about her path from busy, stressed, out-of-shape newbie to conqueror of major trails. Victoria also co-founded Right On Trek a website providing logistics support for hikers, to expose more people to her favourite activity. https://rightontrek.com/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 64: Leave No Trace with Maura Kiely | 19 Feb 2020 | 01:20:15 | |
Leave No Trace is an outdoor ethics programme designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Their message is all about helping outdoor enthusiasts to minimise their impact on the environment. Today our guest is Maura Kiely who is the CEO of Leave No Trace Ireland. During the podcast, we discuss the structure of Leave No Trace, the story of Leave No Trace Ireland and the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 63: Everything about Salmon with Thomas Cross | 04 Feb 2020 | 01:27:18 | |
In this episode, our guest is one of the leading salmon scientists in the world, Professor Thomas Cross. During our immensely interesting conversation, we discussed subjects like salmonids biology, salmon stocks in the wild, salmon fishing and salmon farming. And if you are interested in the subject of salmon fishing, revisit episode 51 where we discussed the issue of illegal salmon netting on Irish rivers. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 62: Whittled Away, a Photography Series, with Patrick Cross | 21 Jan 2020 | 01:20:32 | |
We have talked about the book “Whittled Away - Ireland’s Vanishing Nature” twice already. In episode 20 our guest was the author, Pádraic Fogarty, who was also featured in episode 35 where I brought you the recording of his talk under the same title as the book. Today I talk with Patrick Cross about his photographic project based on that book. We also talk about photography (the outdoor flavour), human impact on the environment and natural history. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 61: African Swine Fever Awareness and Prevention with Shane McAuliffe | 08 Jan 2020 | 01:00:34 | |
The issue of African Swine Fever, ASF for short, is important for hunters and other outdoors people who might get to travel to countries with wild boar populations. In fact, all tourists travelling to and from countries where ASF is present should be aware of the basic facts and take the necessary precautions. To raise awareness of this serious disease, I sat down with Shane McAuliffe, who is the director and secretary of the Irish Pig Health Society, to talk about ASF, what it is and what you should and shouldn’t do if you are coming back home from one of the countries where ASF is present. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 60: Merry Christmas Message from Tommy’s Outdoors | 25 Dec 2019 | 00:03:38 | |
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all listeners to Tommy’s Outdoors podcast and viewers of Tommy’s Outdoors YouTube channel. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for joining me this year on Tommy’s Outdoors platform: the website, the podcast, and all the social media networks. Thank you for all the comments, likes, shares and other engagements, including those less than positive. It’s all good in the end and it encourages me to put out even more outdoors-related content. All the best and may you spend many unforgettable hours in the outdoors in the coming year. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 59: National Association of Regional Game Councils with Dan Curley | 11 Dec 2019 | 01:42:34 | |
A few weeks ago I published a series of videos on YouTube regarding the proposed EU ban on all lead in shooting and fishing. At that time, Dan Curley, the chairman of NARGC, helped a lot by providing me with the information and documentation regarding this issue. In this episode, I met with Dan in person to discuss what has happened since. And a lot has happened. In fact, you should check Dan’s appeal under the link below regarding the action you ought to take if the issue of lead use in shooting and fishing is something you care about. But the ban on lead is far from the only thing we discussed in this podcast. We discussed the work and role of NARGC, the scientific projects NARGC is involved in, the state of the countryside, woodcock population research and predator control issues. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Mentioned in this episode: DOWNLOAD: | |||
| Episode 58: Shore Fishing in Norway with Irish Angling Adventures | 04 Dec 2019 | 01:17:44 | |
James is a fellow blogger and vlogger on Irish Angling Adventures. We had the pleasure to host him on episode 42. The second part of that podcast was dedicated to his trip to the Norwegian island of Vega. We finished that podcast with James’s plans to come back to this excellent fishing spot. Not long ago he and his fishing buddies came back from their second trip to Vega Island. That right there should tell you exactly what this episode is about. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 57: Wild Deer Association of Ireland with David Dunne | 20 Nov 2019 | 01:15:28 | |
The Wild Deer Association of Ireland was on my radar for a long time for all the obvious reasons. I have even had one of their long-time members, Paul Dowling, on the podcast. But we ended up talking about deer hunting in general, rather than about the Wild Deer Association of Ireland.So, more than one year later, I am pleased to host on the podcast David Dunne, who is a seasoned deerstalker and the event organizer for the Wild Deer Association of Ireland. During our session, we talked about the association and its goals and campaigns. We also discussed many more general subjects related to wild deer, hunting, and the environment. http://wdai.ie/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Mentioned in this episode: DOWNLOAD: | |||
| Episode 56: New Wave Adventure Therapy with Philip Stallard | 06 Nov 2019 | 01:18:42 | |
The benefits of being outdoors for mental health and well-being have been discussed on this podcast many times. Each time you, my listeners, have expressed a great interest in this subject. So, today, we are back at it with Philip Stallard, who is a Director and Adventure Therapist at New Wave Adventure Therapy which offers outdoors-based therapeutic intervention grounded in the disciplines of psychotherapy, counselling and social work. https://newwaveadventure.ie/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| 172: Antidote to Screen Addiction with Emanuel Rose | 05 Mar 2024 | 00:46:35 | |
This episode is slightly different than usual when it comes to its subject. However, working with technology by day and creating digital content by night, I spend substantial time thinking about and grappling with this subject. So when I learned that a long-term supporter and a friend of the podcast, Emanuel Rose, wrote a book about it, I decided to have him on for a chat. The subject in question is our unhealthy addiction to our phones (mostly) and other devices. Which in the not-so-long term results in a shortened attention span, inability to focus and all-around decrease in happiness and increase in anxiety. And that is not a good state of mind. In his book, “The 7 Principles of the Magic Rock: How Solitude in Nature Anchors Your Mental Health” Emanuel Rose suggests that unplugging and spending more time in nature is a perfect antidote to the aforementioned predicaments. In his succinct book, the author provides plenty of practical advice. It is rounded out with plentiful references to articles and peer-reviewed papers. Get "The 7 Principles of the Magic Rock": https://amzn.to/49ESu59 Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. Follow Tommy's Outdoors on Bluesky, Instagram or YouTube Tommy’s Outdoors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk | |||
| Episode 55: Tick Talk Ireland with Mary Ferry Smyth | 22 Oct 2019 | 01:34:25 | |
Listeners to this podcast, outdoors people, are a high-risk group when it comes to Lyme disease, a serious bacterial infection that gets passed to humans through tick bites. Spending long hours in the wild, often off the beaten track, exposes us to insect bites more than regular folks. But Lyme disease is not only a threat to bushwhacking deerstalkers. Even children on the playground are at risk. The consequences of untreated Lyme disease can be devastating and nothing short of life-changing. To make things worse, the diagnosis of Lyme disease is very difficult, knowledge about it among medical personnel is weak and treatment is prolonged and complicated. As always, prevention is a much better option. Listen to this episode where I talk with Mary Ferry Smyth of Tick Talk Ireland about everything you need to know about Lyme disease, ticks and how to decrease the risk of contracting this nasty condition. http://www.ticktalkireland.org/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 54: The National Biodiversity Data Centre with Dave Wall | 08 Oct 2019 | 01:20:37 | |
Many of us outdoors people like to keep records of the animal and fish species we have encountered, caught or seen during our time in the outdoors. To keep those records we use spreadsheets, databases, dedicated apps and, perhaps, a pen and paper if you’re a little old-timey chap. As it turns out, there is a website that can not only help you record and explore your sightings but also include your data in the national dataset that is used by scientists. This website is operated by The National Biodiversity Data Centre and, in this episode of the podcast, our guest is their Citizen Science Officer, Dave Wall. https://biodiversityireland.ie/ Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 53: Iveragh Learning Landscapes with Eleanor Turner | 27 Sep 2019 | 01:23:17 | |
We had such a great time recording this episode of the podcast! I wish all the recording sessions were as relaxed, open and enjoyable as this one. I sat down with Eleanor Turner, who was our guest on episode 17, in the Sea Synergy Marine Awareness Centre in Waterville. We talked about an event called Iveragh Learning Landscapes. This fantastic outdoor experience, taking place annually in the most South-Western tip of Ireland, focuses on outdoor education and connection with nature. Listen up as we discuss the origins of the event, the schedule, what to expect during the panels and workshops, and where to get tickets. Iveragh Learning Landscapes 201911th - 14th October 2019Check out the schedule and get the tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/iveragh-learning-landscapes-2019-tickets-51248972055 Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 52: Angling Trust with David Mitchell | 12 Sep 2019 | 01:20:17 | |
We have spoken many times about the need for advocacy for hunters and anglers, strong organizations that would represent sportsmen’s interests. Angling Trust is one such organization. Its aim is to represent anglers from England and Wales. Our guest is Dave Mitchell who is Angling Trust’s Head of Marine. He is also a board member of the European Anglers Alliance. In the podcast, I talk with Dave about angling advocacy, the state of the marine environment and the challenges faced by the angling community. If you are an angler, this one is worth listening to, even if you don’t live in England or Wales. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 51: Fighting Illegal Salmon Netting with Bertie Brosnan | 28 Aug 2019 | 01:47:41 | |
In this episode, you will hear a fascinating account about one man who has spent most of his life fighting illegal salmon netting in the rivers and estuaries of the Irish South West. His name is Bertie Brosnan and he has joined me with his son Dan to tell his fascinating story. But be warned, it is not for the fainthearted. You will hear about personal sacrifice, threats, damaged property, court sentences and shots fired. There is a lot more than we could possibly fit into roughly an hour-long podcast and we only scratched the surface. That’s why we might get back to this tale in the future. Please leave your comments if you would like us to dig deeper. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 50: Cycle down the length of Africa with Tomás Mac an t-Saoir - part 2 | 13 Aug 2019 | 00:56:07 | |
This is the second part of last week’s podcast where we talked with Tomás Mac an t-Saoir about his solo and unsupported cycle down the length of Africa. If you missed the first part, go and listen to it now. Otherwise, let’s jump right in! Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 49: Cycle down the length of Africa with Tomás Mac an t-Saoir | 07 Aug 2019 | 01:08:20 | |
You may remember Tomás from one of the previous episodes of the podcast. Back then, he was a few months away from his planned, solo and unsupported, cycle from Cairo to Cape Town in aid of the Donal Walsh Live Life Foundation. A year later I got to talk with Tomás again. He is back from his cycle, in one piece, healthy and happy. In this incredible episode, Tomás gives a vivid description of his trip and his adventures along the way. African people, African wildlife, pain, sorrow, exhilaration, unreal landscapes, ethnic conflict and friendship. This is another big-adventure episode and I feel really fortunate to call this young, but highly experienced, adventurer, a friend. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 48: Green Party with Pippa Hackett | 24 Jul 2019 | 01:11:36 | |
This is another episode of the podcast where I talk with the representative of a political party. The goal is, as always, to dig a little deeper into some of the issues affecting the outdoor lifestyle. This time our guest is Pippa Hackett who is a Green Party Councillor and a spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, Forestry, Heritage & Animal Welfare. Once again I want to include the disclaimer that it is not my intention to promote any political party. Instead, I want outdoors enthusiasts to be aware of how their support for a particular option might impact the activities they love. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 47: The Killing of Hen Harriers on Grouse Moors | 17 Jul 2019 | 00:43:40 | |
Hen harriers are ground-nesting birds of prey whose UK population is in critical condition. Unfortunately, time after time we hear that a hen harrier has been killed illegally on grouse moors, a heavily managed grouse habitat used for driven grouse shooting. In this episode, I discuss this hot issue with a field sports journalist Matt Cross. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 46: Shark Trust with Ali Hood | 03 Jul 2019 | 01:23:01 | |
You have probably heard a dozen times that I am a semi-retired, obsessive, shark angler. So, ever since I started the podcast I wanted, one day, to have an episode with someone from the Shark Trust. Well, that day is today. Our guest is Ali Hood the Director of Conservation at Shark Trust and we spent over an hour talking sharks! It was especially important for me to talk with Ali about the role of anglers in shark conservation. We also discussed three species of sharks that I am particularly interested in from an angling perspective: porbeagle shark, sixgill shark and mako shark. But we discussed much more than that and all of it very interesting. So if you want to learn about sharks and shark conservation, crack open a can of your favourite beverage, sit back and listen up. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| 171: Rewilding with Steve Carver | 27 Feb 2024 | 00:51:51 | |
It has been a considerable time since the last time we spoke about rewilding on the podcast. I feel that the discussion around the practice as well as understanding of the term has moved on in the last three to four years. So, I decided to get an update on the state of rewilding. To do so, I invited the Director of the Wildland Research Institute at the School of Geography, University of Leeds, Dr Steve Carver who is also a Professor of Rewilding and Wilderness Science. Nothing like getting an update about rewilding from the professor of rewilding! I was curious whether the meaning and understanding of the term rewilding is any more clear than it used to be. We also revisited some of the classic discussion points around rewilding like: “You want to take us back in time” or “It’s an anti-rural movement” to see if the discourse has developed in any way. And if you’re expecting blindly pro-rewilding answers you might be in for a surprise! Further reading: Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 45: Go Wild with Oona Tibbetts | 18 Jun 2019 | 01:13:56 | |
Stand-up paddle boarding, also known as SUP, is gaining popularity in Ireland and around the world. Sure, there are many who laugh and take shots at it. But that’s normal when the new kid on the block appears. But SUP is here to stay and, in this episode of the podcast, I talk with Oona Tibbetts who is one of the founders of Wild SUP Tours, an adventure company which organizes paddle-boarding tours and retreats in the most breathtaking places in County Kerry. But there is more! Recently, Oona set out to stand-up-paddle-board the coastline along The Wild Atlantic Way which is the longest defined coastal driving route in the world. The goal of this endeavour is to raise awareness about ocean pollution and climate change. You can track Oona’s progress by following the hashtag #oonagoeswild on social media. In the podcast, we discuss this fantastic challenge along with more general issues related to stand-up paddle boarding. https://www.wildsuptours.com/oonagoeswild Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 44: eMonoRail with Kevin C. Murphy | 05 Jun 2019 | 00:57:27 | |
It has become quite common these days to hear about the negative impact of tourism on popular tourist destinations and local communities. Tourists are usually welcome as they contribute to local economies. Unfortunately, big crowds flowing every year through otherwise small and quiet regions can cause significant inconveniences. The infrastructure, like roads and sewers, is often not designed for such big crowds. Also, the environment like beaches, mountain trails and footpaths can be totally destroyed by a large number of tourists. Not to mention the litter. There are many places all over the world which are struggling with this problem, but today our focus is on the famous Ring of Kerry route located on the Iveragh peninsula in south-western Ireland. In the episode, I talk with a man who is proposing a bold solution to this problem. A futuristic eMonorail, an electric coach, powered by solar energy, travelling on a single rail, designed to eliminate tourist coaches and cars from the narrow rural roads of the area. This could revolutionize tourism and provide a whole new way of experiencing the Ring of Kerry. Is such a bold and futuristic project possible? My guest, Kevin C. Murphy is convinced that the answer is, yes. But it’s not only wishful thinking. Kevin has put a lot of thought into the technical and economic aspects of this project. So, listen up and you just might get excited about the prospect. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||
| Episode 43: Sinn Féin with Toiréasa Ferris | 22 May 2019 | 01:16:52 | |
You probably look at the title of this podcast and wonder what is going on. So I feel like a little disclaimer is in order. It is far from my intention to be canvassing for one political party or another. Instead, I want outdoors enthusiasts to be aware of how their support for various political options might impact the activities they love. I hope this will be the first of many podcasts in which I get to talk with representatives of different political parties and ask questions about issues that are of vital interest to outdoorsmen and women. In this episode we talk about the protection of the natural environment, tackling biodiversity loss and climate change, greenways and cycling infrastructure, farming, land access, overfishing, the role of NGOs and much more. Finally, if you or someone you know is a member of a political party who would be happy to sit down with me for an hour and talk, please do not hesitate to contact me through one of the many channels available. I would love to continue the series and inform fellow outdoors-people about the views of different political parties and their representatives towards the issues important to us. Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter Support the Podcast and Buy Me a Coffee. | |||