Into The Wild

Diversity in Nature with Dawood Qureshi, Dr Anjana Khatwa & Karen Larbi

This week is our second panel show & this time we, or more, my guests, are discussing the importance of diversity in nature & the barriers black & Asian people face, when working their way through this challenging industry.

On the show we have Karen Larbi. Karen is a trainer, facilitator & consultant. She is the founder of POC in Nature, an online platform dedicated to helping people of colour explore the healing power of nature, environmental justice & land honouring ancestral traditions.

We also have Dawood Qureshi. Currently studying marine biology & runs a wildlife blog, Heart of Wild.

Last but not least, Dr Anjana Khatwa. An earth scientist, presenter & consultant specialising in learning & engagement, content development & embedding diversity & inclusion into business practice.

Aside from asking the questions, you won't hear me much on this show, which is a good thing because my microphone on my laptop is AWFUL, but also, this chat was not about me. This episode is about the experiences of Karen, Dawood & Anjana. Experiences shared by many other black & Asian people around the world in the nature & science industry.

If you'd like to keep up to date with Karen, Dawood & Anjanna's upcoming projects & work you can do so on Twitter & Instagram.

Dawood: T @GoWildForBees I @dawood_dq

Anjana: T & I @jurassicg1rl 

Karen: T & I @whythedarkness 

You can also get in touch with me at intothewildpod@gmail.com & on social media @intothewildpod on Twitter & @intothewildpodcast on Instagram. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next! 

UK Butterflies & Moths with Richard Fox

We love a butterfly here in England, although some of us are not so keen on moths for some reason, but what is the difference? Well this episode will answer that question. From Butterfly Conservation, Richard Fox joins me to discuss the beautiful world of butterflies & moths.

I ask those life long questions of "why do moths love light?" "how old do butterflies live for?" & "do moths really eat our clothes?"

We dive right into the world of Lepidoptera & I know you will come away with not only more knowledge, but a new heightened love for butterflies & moths.

If you'd like to keep up to date with Richards upcoming projects & work you can do so on Twitter @RichardFoxBC & you can follow the Butterfly Conservation on Instagram & Twitter @SaveTheButterflies. You can also get in touch with me at intothewildpod@gmail.com or you can get in touch on social media, @intothewildpod on Twitter & @intothewildpodcast on Instagram. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next! 

Spiders with Sebastian Echeverri

"Ahhh there's one in the bath!"

"Errrr get the glass & paper!"

These are two sentences many of us shout from time to time when we see one in our house BUT fear is not what our guest this week has when they are faced with spiders. Scientist & nature communicator Sebastian Echeverri joins me to discuss, Spiders!

From what makes a spider to what doesn't make a spider, to answering the questions of are they all venomous, how many are there & where can we find them. Sebastian leaves no spider loving stone unturned.

If you'd like to keep up to date with Sebastian's upcoming projects & work you can do so on Twitter @spiderdaynight & Instagram @spiderdaynightlive. You can also get in touch with me at intothewildpod@gmail.com or say hello on social media, @intothewildpod. Whether it's just to share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next!

Trophy Hunting with Maxi Louis, Lorna Dax & John Mwilima

This week's show is very exciting & important for so many reasons. So let's explain. This is a first for Into The Wild. This is our first ever panel show recorded with 3 guests over zoom. Not only a first for us though, it's a first for the UK & likely, many other western countries. As we are discussing the topic of trophy hunting...."But that's been done Ryan?" Yeah, I know, but to my knowledge, never has this chat taken place while purely chatting to the people it directly affects. 3 local, key wildlife & community workers of Namibia. These people are, Maxi Louis, who has over 22 years of experience working with communities in conservation. John Mwilima, a member & advisor of the Banumu conservancy. And finally, Lorna Dax manager of the Khaodi & Haos conservancy.

You may already have your opinions & views on trophy hunting, I did before I started the chat, however, I ask you to leave them here. This show is about talking to local people, whose lives & livelihoods depend on trophy hunting (or, since this interview, I now call, conservation hunting.) Maxi, Lorna & John don't just look at records or stats & bits of paper, they see the impacts of conservation hunting. From the benefit to the people & local communities, the animals & their survival & the habitat & environment.

It's easy for us in England, or America, or France, or Australia etc to criticise a method such as conservation hunting, however, we do not live in this country. We should be listening to the people that live in these areas & learn more about methods like this. As highlighted in this show, African people have harvested animals for hundreds of years, this isn't new. Also as pointed out, it is heavily regulated.

But, I don't want to give anything away. I also don't want you to think you have to leave here being pro conservation hunting. You don't. That's up to you. All you have to do is listen to these 3 voices that are too often, ignored when talking about this topic. For me, I've learnt so much more & understand it far greater. Could I hunt? No way. Do I understand why Americans or Britain's pay all this money to hunt? Not really. Do I think it's wrong, damaging & needs to stop? Not anymore.

If you'd like to get in touch regarding the topic of conservation hunting from today's show then I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at intothewildpod@gmail.com. I'll be recording another, short episode on this topic with Prof Adam Hart. So any questions you have. Chuck them over.

Don't forget to subscribe to us on iTunes, Podbean & Spotify . You can also get in touch on social media @intothewildpod on Twitter & @intothewildpodcast on Instagram. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next!

Marine Filmmaking with Inka Cresswell

I've always had big respect for wildlife filmmakers. Not only is it a job that requires a huge level or patience, but it's the job that results in bringing nature & sights from the natural world into the homes of millions of people. Scenes that are the reason why I & many of you, love nature today.

And because of this, I was very excited about today's show with marine biologist & marine wildlife filmmaker & photographer, Inka Cresswell. 

From the beauty, the prep & the challenges, Inka gave a brilliant insight into the world of underwater filmmaking. We spoke about her short film, My25 & it's focuses of listening to the previous generation regarding their stories of the natural world, in order to fully understand how environments have changed.

 If you'd like to keep up to date with the projects, & shows that Inka is working on, you can do so on Twitter & Instagram, @InkaCresswell

Don't forget to subscribe to us on iTunes, Podbean & Spotify . You can also get in touch on social media, @intothewildpod. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next! 

Conservation & Perceptions of Sharks with Dr Catherine MacDonald

We've recently had an episode about sharks (With Dr David Shiffman, if you haven't listened to it, check it out, it's great), but as with all my episodes, I always think there's way more to cover & my guest, Dr Catherine MacDonald, completely agrees.

We start by talking about Shark fining. A fishing practice that is inhumane & wasteful BUT not quite understood. I asked Catherine the basic questions & I'm glad I did, as I learnt so much about not only why it is a problem but why it exists in the first place.

However it's not just the fishing practices that affect sharks, it's people's perception of them & the ocean itself. Catherine is an advocate for changing the misconceptions of anything from when someone is bitten by a shark, to our treatment of the world's seas. 

This show is extremely informative & important. Our oceans are constantly under threat & change is needed and it starts with you.

If you'd like to keep up to date with the projects, & shows that Catherine is working on, you can do so on Twitter & Instagram @drcatmac.

Don't forget to subscribe to us on iTunes, Podbean & Spotify . You can also get in touch on social media @intothewildpod. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next! 

 

British Wildlife with Lucy Lapwing

It's not uncommon to hear someone say, "Oh British wildlife is boring" & to be honest, I've probably been guilty of it myself. However it really couldn't be further from the truth.

This week I'm joined by conservationist & science communicator Lucy Lapwing. Lucy is an expert on British wildlife. We chat chat everything from the diversity & variety animals & pants, the vulnerability of some species & the reasons why it's more important than ever to do your bit for this countries nature.

We also touch on HS2. A controversial, multi billion pound construction project that, whilst does have some pros, is having a real cost to England's historical forests & delicate ecosystems.

If you'd like to keep up to date with the projects, & shows that Lucy is working on, you can do so on Twitter & Instagram @Lucy_Lapwing

Don't forget to subscribe to us on iTunes, Podbean & Spotify . You can also get in touch on social media, @intothewildpod. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next! 

Until next time, keep well, stay safe & live the good life.

Beavers with Sophie Pavelle

It's easy to forget about the animals that live around you & it's especially easy to forget about the ones that once called your country home but are there no more.

This week, I spoke to zoologist & science communicator, Sophie Pavelle. Sophie has already had an amazing career working closely as an ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts (https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/) & The Beaver Trust (https://beavertrust.org/) AND is currently writing her first book about UK vulnerable species, Forget Me Not.

We focused our chat on beavers. How these animals can completely change an environment & landscape in just a couple of days work & what's being done to get these animals back into the UK ecosystem.

If you'd like to keep up to date with the projects, & shows that Sophie is working on, you can do so on Twitter (@spavelle) & Instagram (@sophiepavs). 

Don't forget to subscribe to us on iTunes, Podbean & Spotify . You can also get in touch on social media, @intothewildpod. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next! 

Wildlife in New York City with Jeffrey Ward

I live in London. A large, busy & packed city, but I still see so much wildlife & that's similar to this week's guest, birder Jeffrey Ward from NYC.

This show we are all about city wildlife ESPECIALLY birds. Jeffrey tells us all about how he got into birding, the types of animals you can find in NYC & the challenges that you face hunting for wildlife in a city.

We also touch on a social media movement aligned with #BlackLivesMatter called #BlackBirdersWeek. An amazing hashtag showing the HUGE amount of black birders around the world.

If you'd like to keep up to date with the projects, & shows that Jeffrey is working on, you can do so on Twitter & Instagram @JeffreyMWard. 

Don't forget to subscribe to us on iTunes, Podbean & Spotify . You can also get in touch on social media, @intothewildpod. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next! 

Electric Fish with Kassandra Ford

I love learning about new animals and this week's show was certainly that.

Joined by biology PhD candidate & electric fish nerd (her words) Kassandra Ford, this show is all about electric fish.

My brain was bubbling after this chat as Kassandra taught me so much about these incredible fish. We also spoke about an awesome study Kassandra is currently working on, the changes in skull shape during the evolution of electric fish! (I know, pretty cool right). 

I went into this chat knowing nothing about these animals & came away learning so much, so I hope you share that experience with me too!

If you'd like to keep up to date with the projects & shows that Kassandra is working on, you can do so on Twitter & Instagram @KassTheFish. 

You can also get in touch on social media, @intothewildpod. Whether it's just to say hello, share some thoughts on an episode or even to let me know you'd like to hear about next!