Conservation Careers Podcast

How do you transform landscapes, restore biodiversity and reconnect people with nature - all at scale? And what does it take to build a pioneering conservation initiative from scratch?

Today’s guest is Frans Schepers, co-founder and Executive Director of Rewilding Europe. Frans has dedicated over a decade to leading rewilding efforts across Europe, turning ambitious ideas into tangible results.

Under his leadership, Rewilding Europe has become a frontrunner in nature recovery, combining innovation, entrepreneurship and practical conservation to breathe life back into our landscapes.

In this episode, we explore the origins of Rewilding Europe, how it works and the steps involved in rewilding a landscape. Frans also shares career advice for aspiring conservationists, discusses the future of rewilding and explains why he remains hopeful about nature’s incredible power to bounce back.

It’s an inspiring, forward-thinking, and opportunity-driven podcast.

Enjoy!

Meetings are a core part of our working lives, and yet studies have found that 50% of time spent in meetings is often wasted.

When viewed as a whole that's often billions, if not trillions, of dollars wasted annually, which could be put to much better use.

But why do we spend so much of our precious lives clogged up in a confetti of mediocre meetings?!

With calendars full back-to-back often borne as a badge of importance, rather than being seen as a problem to tackle.

Here to talk about meetings and their untapped potential for productivity and transformation is today's guest, Dr Carrie Goucher.

Carrie is founder of Fewer, Faster, Bolder, an organisation which believes that meetings are a huge, wide space for improvement, and understands that they matter so much, because people spend so much time in them.

In today's inspiring chat, we discuss the problems with meeting culture at the moment, and how we got to where we are.

We also discuss what incredible meetings can look like, and how to create ones for yourself. Including practical steps on how to invite people, how to start a meeting, and how to capture what's discussed, agreed and parked up.

As a successful entrepreneur herself, Carrie also kindly shares her advice for budding ecopreneurs: people with a passion and an idea that could deliver profit and purpose in the world.

It's a meeting-transforming and impact-creating podchat.

Enjoy.

Today’s guest is Sir William Worsley, Chair of the Forestry Commission (England). Sir William shares his rich experience in forestry management, conservation, and the evolving mission of the ForestryCommission since its founding in 1919.

In our chat, we discuss the Commission's role in afforestation, timber production and wildlife conservation, and the importance of balanced woodland management.

Sir William also shares his views on the economic and environmental significance of forests, practical insights for aspiring conservationists and what to expect from upcoming National Tree Week.

It’s a passionate, informative, and inspiring podcast about trees, landscapes, and how each of us can play a part in conservation. Enjoy!

How can campaigning lead to transformative leadership in conservation? And what role do cross-sector partnerships play in scaling biodiversity impact?

Today’s guest is Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England and one of the UK’s most prominent voices in nature conservation.

He’s been described as ‘the most effective of Britain's eco-warriors’ and ‘one of the top ten environmental figures of the last thirty years.

From his early days at Friends of the Earth to advising global leaders and now steering Natural England, Tony shares insights from a fascinating career dedicated to protecting our natural world.

In this episode, we explore Tony’s journey from campaigning to governance, the critical role of partnerships in delivering conservation at scale, and what’s needed to reverse biodiversity decline in the UK.

Tony also shares his perspective on skills needed in modern conservation careers and why practicality is key to making a lasting impact.

It’s a thought-provoking, inspiring, and solutions-focused podcast.

Enjoy!

Don't let anyone talk you away from your dreams says conservation biologist and today's guest Dr. Fernando Mateos González.

In his free time Fernando ('Nando') runs Bioblogia.net where he helps students and early career professionals find their dream environmental role. Whether it's sharing job offers internships, volunteer opportunities and more Nando loves helping up and coming biologists.

In his day job he works as a conservation biologist in the Czech Republic and supports expeditions as a nomadic mercenary scientist. Last year he joined the BBC in the Peruvian Amazon to shoot scenes for the new Attenborough series, Seven Worlds, One Planet. And he's just back from an expedition sailing to Iceland as chief scientist for British Exploring Society.

Nando is a super busy, super fun and super passionate biologist. So if you're interested in careers in conservation biology or passionate about expeditions you'll love today's guest. Enjoy.