The Nature Recovery Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode of the Nature Recovery Podcast, Stephen Thomas is joined by Nat Duffus and Harrison Carter to unpack the often confusing world of biodiversity finance. Harrison introduces his new paper, Demystifying Biodiversity Finance, and explains why conservationists, ecologists and investors need a shared language to make sense of bonds, loans, equity, credits and risk.

The conversation explores:

•  what biodiversity finance actually means in practice 
•  how bonds can support nature recovery, and where they fall short 
•  why project-level, social and ecological risks matter for investors 
•  the importance of monitoring, reporting and verification 
•  why scepticism is not the same as negativity when trying to finance nature 

The episode makes a strong case for honest, practical collaboration between conservation and finance, with the long-term goal of creating more effective and more durable support for nature recovery.

You can find the paper here:

https://naturerecovery.ox.ac.uk/outputs/demystifying-biodiversity-finance/

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

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For a long time, freshwater experts thought of estuaries as just "the end of the river," while marine biologists dismissed them as "the bit where the sea comes in." But today, scientists realize that estuaries are incredibly complex, dynamic ecosystems in their own right. 

In this episode of the Nature Recovery Podcast, Stephen is joined by world-renowned estuarine and coastal science expert, Professor Mike Elliott. They explore the fascinating, constantly fluctuating world of estuaries, the vital "ecotones" where rivers meet the sea.

Professor Elliott explains the "triple whammy" of pressures facing global coastlines, the difference between contamination and pollution, and introduces the concept of the "Emerald Economy." He also breaks down the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework for solving complex environmental challenges, proving that when we relieve the pressures on these dynamic systems, nature can, and does, bounce back.

Key Topics Covered:

• What actually makes an estuary an ecosystem in its own right?
• The "Estuarine Quality Paradox" and how organisms survive extreme environmental stress.
• Understanding the "Emerald Economy": Ecosystem services vs. Societal goods and benefits.
• The "Triple Whammy" threatening our coasts: industrialization, resource depletion, and climate change.
• Incredible recovery stories: How the dead Thames and Clyde estuaries were brought back to life.
• The DAPSI(W)R(M) framework: A roadmap for balancing human needs with natural systems.

Resources:

• Learn more about Professor Mike Elliott's work at the University of Hull and IECS Limited.

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

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Professor Cristina Banks-Leite (Imperial College London) discusses the realities of tropical forest restoration: from large-scale reforestation projects and the practical challenges of seedlings, land tenure and finance, to why measured “success” can look counter-intuitive. She explains why current biodiversity metrics often miss the point, and how novel tools (like acoustic monitoring and AI) could transform how we listen to and protect ecosystems. A thoughtful conversation about balancing people, money and ecological intactness in nature recovery.

You can also see Cristina Banks-Leite's talk on our YouTube channel
What drives species sensitivity to deforestation? Clue: it’s not what you think 

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

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In this episode, Jason Williams , better known as The Cloud Gardener, shares how a lockdown balcony became a haven for biodiversity and wellbeing, leading him to the Chelsea Flower Show and a Churchill Fellowship exploring greener cities around the world.

Later, researchers Martha Crockatt and Mattia Troiano talk to Raphaella Mascia and discuss their Oxford-based work on equity of access to green space, and how social, economic and spatial inequalities shape who benefits from urban nature.

Together they reflect on what makes city greening succeed and who might be left behind.

Highlights

• 00:00 — Welcome and introductions
• 01:00 — Jason’s balcony story: lockdown gardening, biodiversity, and mental health
• 04:00 — From social media to show gardens and Chelsea Flower Show
• 08:00 — Lessons from Milan, Singapore and China: community vs private greening
• 12:00 — The challenges of “sterile balcony” policies and access for renters
• 15:00 — Greening Manchester’s alleyways and working with local communities
• 19:00 — Martha & Mattia introduce their research on Oxford’s green spaces
• 24:00 — Findings: small spaces, inequitable access, and local governance
• 31:00 — Art & Nature in The Leys: community engagement through art
• 36:00 — Reflections on interdisciplinary collaboration and next steps

Resources & links

The Cloud Gardener

Community Values in Accessible Urban Green Spaces (Project)

Art and Nature in The Leys (Event)

Learn more about the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery: naturerecovery.ox.ac.uk

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

Send us Fan Mail

How should we think about killing, introductions and “invasives” in a world we’ve already changed? In this episode we talk to Hugh Warwick — ecologist, writer and hedgehog champion — about his award-winning book Cull of the Wild and the uncomfortable question at its heart: can killing ever be conservation?

From hedgehogs on the Hebrides to rats on South Georgia, Hugh explores what happens when good intentions meet ecological complexity. We discuss the power of names, the moral weight of words like “pest” and “eradication,” and why conservation decisions always come with ethical consequences.

Expect humour, philosophy, and a few awkward truths — including why he thinks every scientist’s spreadsheet should have a column for cruelty.

Episode Highlights

• How the words we use — “pest,” “invasive,” “pet” — decide how animals are treated
• When eradication makes sense, and when it causes more harm than good
• The story of the Uist hedgehogs and the lessons of unintended consequences
• Why nature recovery is also people recovery — the need for social capital and empathy
• From philosophers to gamekeepers: learning from those we disagree with

Links & resources:

• Hugh Warwick — website  https://hughwarwick.com
  
  
• Cull of the Wild — buy / details:
  https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/cull-of-the-wild-killing-in-the-name-of-conservation-winner-of-the-zsl-clarivate-award
  
  

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

Send us Fan Mail

This episode of the Nature Recovery Podcast discusses legal personhood of nature, also known as rights of nature or more-than-human rights. Hosts Stephen Thomas, Hannah Wilson, and Diana Gusta sit down with lawyer and professor Cesar Rodriguez-Garavito, the founding director of the More-than-Human Life (MOTH) Collective.

The discussion covers the following key points:

• The historical context of the movement: While Western legal frameworks have only recently begun adopting rights for nature, the idea is rooted in the long-standing practices and beliefs of Indigenous cultures globally.
• A groundbreaking legal moment: The 2008 Ecuadorian Constitution is highlighted as a foundational moment for the modern rights of nature movement, being the first to enshrine these rights into law. This was the result of collaboration between Indigenous leaders and a diverse group of scientists, activists, and scholars.
• Ecocentric vs. Anthropocentric views: The hosts and guest explore the difference between framing nature protection as a human right (the right to a healthy environment) versus a right inherent to nature itself (more-than-human rights). Rodriguez-Garavito argues that viewing humans as part of a larger, interconnected web of life is a more durable and effective approach, as the health of human society is directly tied to the health of the biosphere.
• Practical challenges and cultural shifts: The conversation addresses challenges to implementing these laws, such as legal costs and governmental pushback. However, it is argued that these are not new problems for social change movements, as seen in the human rights movement. The discussion concludes by highlighting the importance of cultural change and shifting perceptions, stating that legal action is just one of many tools that can be used to advance this cause.

Links & Resources

• MOTH Life: An interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to the advancement of rights and well-being for humans, nonhumans, and the web of life. For more information, visit their website. https://mothrights.org/about/
• Cesar Rodriguez-Garavito: A lawyer and professor at NYU School of Law. He has written extensively on topics including more-than-human rights and climate change litigation. Profile
• Project CETI: A collaborative project to understand the acoustic communication of sperm whales using AI, mentioned as an example of scientific work that supports a more-than-human perspective. Link

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

Send us Fan Mail

Guests

• Natalie Duffus (DPhil student, Dept. of Biology)
  https://naturerecovery.ox.ac.uk/people/natalie-duffus/
• Matti Troiano (Research Assistant, School of Geography and the Environment)
  https://naturerecovery.ox.ac.uk/people/mattia-troiano/
• Host: Stephen Thomas (Centre Manager, Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery)

 In this illuminating episode, we tackle the increasingly tangled web of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and get an update on what is happening with its current implementation. We also look at the Nature Restoration Fund — two major pieces of England’s ecological compensation puzzle.

Our guests Natalie and Matti break down what these policies are, how they affect developers, landowners, and communities — and why even good intentions may go sawry when market logic meets under-resourced local authorities.

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

Send us Fan Mail

Nature Finance – Opportunities, Challenges, and What Comes Next

In this episode, we delve into the fast-evolving world of nature finance — with a focus on schemes emerging in England, and insights relevant to the global shift toward blended finance for nature recovery. As governments increasingly look to private investment to complement public funding, what’s working, what’s not, and where is this movement headed?

We explore the key challenges facing nature finance today, from market design to policy uncertainty, and discuss promising innovations that could shape the future of investment in biodiversity and ecosystems.

Hosted by: Raphaella Mascia

Guests:

Professor Alexander Teytelboym
Department of Economics, University of Oxford
Alexander Teytelboym is a Professor of Economics whose research focuses on market design—including matching markets, auctions, and network economics. He applies economic theory to pressing policy challenges in areas such as environmental protection, energy systems, and refugee resettlement.

Dr Sophus zu Ermgassen
Department of Biology, University of Oxford
Dr Sophus zu Ermgassen is an ecological economist specialising in biodiversity finance, sustainable infrastructure, and nature-positive policy and investment. His research has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Countryfile, Sky News, The Financial Times, and the ENDS Report. He advises the UK government through roles with Natural England’s Biodiversity Net Gain Monitoring and Evaluation group, the UK Treasury’s Biodiversity Economics working group, and the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits. He has also contributed to UK Parliamentary reports and briefings on biodiversity and just sustainability transitions.

Alqayam (Al) Meghji
Senior Policy Advisor, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Al Meghji is a Senior Policy Advisor at Defra, bringing together technical engineering expertise and strategic policy insight across water, energy, and land use. His work addresses the intersection of natural resources and climate resilience under demographic and environmental pressures, with a focus on unlocking private investment to complement public funding in nature recovery.

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

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Discussing Ohio's beautiful forests and northern Ohio nature recovery efforts with Jessica Miller Mecaskey, Consulting Forester at Holden Forests and Gardens, one of the U.S.'s largest and foremost arboretums. 

Bio:

Jessica Miller Mecaskey was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and is a forestry and natural resource professional with specialization in woodland ecosystems, experienced in forest management from every part of the management cycle. She currently assists landowners as a Consulting Forester out of the Holden Arboretum, assisting private woodland owners to meet their goals to keep forests thriving.

Important Links 

• Holden Forests & Gardens

·                     Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative

• Cleveland Tree Coalition
• Cleveland Metroparks 
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

Send us Fan Mail

This podcast covers topics including current environmental threats to Ohio's habitats and species, nature recovery work being undertaken in urban and rural areas, as well as ways people can become involved in Ohio nature recovery. In Part 1 of our Ohio Nature Recovery series, we will be talking with Anna Zaremba, the Nature-based Solutions Sustainability Manager for the City of Cleveland, Ohio as well as Dr. Lara Roketenetz, Biological Field Station Director for the University of Akron, and Dr. Randall Mitchell, Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Akron. 

Anna Zaremba is a public sector sustainability and climate resilience professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Certificate in Food Studies from Dickinson College. Currently serving as the Nature-Based Solutions Sustainability Manager at the City of Cleveland's Mayor's Office of Sustainability, Anna has contributed to the development of the city's Climate Action Plan and oversees projects focused on organic waste reduction and community resilience. Anna has also contributed to various sustainability and climate justice initiatives through previous roles, including plastic bag outreach campaigns, circular economy planning, and food security research. Passionate about environmental justice and sustainable development, Anna is dedicated to creating equitable and impactful solutions for climate resilience in the Great Lakes Region.

Dr. Lara Roketenetz moved to Cleveland for her undergraduate degree and never left once she discovered her love for the Great Lake Erie and wonderful people in Northeast Ohio. She has a Master's of Biology from John Carroll University and a PhD in Integrated Biosciences from the University of Akron (UA). She is the Director of the UA Field Station where her true passion is the K-12 outreach program for rural, suburban, and urban youth where she inspires our future changemakers through environmental and place-based education. She is a past President of The Organization of Biological Field Stations.

Randy Mitchell Distinguished Professor of Biology, University of Akron, and Faculty Director of the University of Akron Field Station. Dr. Mitchell grew up loving science, the outdoors, and insects. He has done research in many wonderful places, including Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, California’s deserts and mountains and scrub, Adelaide Australia, New Mexico’s mountains and deserts, Wisconsin’s wetlands, and the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Dr. Mitchell specializes in researching the ecology of plant-pollinator interactions

Important links

• Cleveland Residential Compost and Workforce Development Pilot Program: https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/departments/public-works/divisions/waste#:~:text=Food%20Scrap%20Composting%20Drop%2DOff%20Program
• Cleveland Tree Coalition: https://www.clevelandtrees.org/
• Urban Forestry Commission: https://www.sustainablecleveland.org/urban_forestry_commission
• Organization for Biological Field Stations:https://www.obfs.org/
• Summit Metroparks Free the Falls project:  https://www.summitmetroparks.org/about/free-the-falls/

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.