You may or may not know that we are now in the middle of United Nations decade on Ecosystem restoration to revive the worlds damaged ecosystems. However, I’m pretty sure you will have heard about ‘rewilding’.

But what is rewilding exactly? Is it no mow May? Is it letting a corner of the garden get a little out of hand? Or, perhaps is it bigger than that, the reintroduction of beaver or bison for example? Or Leonardo DiCaprio’s thought that Scotland should become the first rewilding nation? Standby to nerd out a bit and for a few surprises.

Our guest today Paul Jepson is not only a conservationist and writer but also a rewilding expert.

With veganism on the rise and so much negativity about meat production we felt the urge to talk to a farmer. And our guest this week is inspiring.

George Ford, with a keen knowledge of environmental science, has changed everything about the way his family farm, Nempnett Pastures, now under his guardianship, is run. Now in it’s sixth generation, George is leading the way for transparency, sustainability and the kind of beef and poultry farming system which actually might have been more recognisable in our past and which is kinder to not just the planet but the animals too.

With the news that micro plastics are not just being found in our oceans and rivers but also in our own blood brain tissue and skin, we need every hero we can get, our guest today is just that. She changed everything for her big mission to make our cleaning cupboards more sustainable. Giving up a very comfortable glamorous life after an 'aha' moment in a supermarket aisle she is now founder of SEEP - sustainable everyday essential products - a fast growing company cleaning up the business of cleaning.

Our guest today works wonders making a big difference quietly and purposefully and as a consequence, She has been named number 27 of the 50 most influential conservationists in the UK, her beautiful books sit on my shelf, but Curlew Moon is my favourite.

Not only is it a beautifully crafted tribute to our iconic wading bird and its plight, but it was just the start of a conservation journey for Mary who’s inspiring influence is about to stretch as far as our classrooms.

This week's guest has been ferocious in his determination to make a difference. Often at times controversial, he has sparked the debate on whether to reintroduce wolves to Scotland, he is a 'doer', whether it is creating awareness of conservation issues in Belize to founding the European Nature Trust or rewinding the Alladale Estate in Scotland, Paul’s extraordinary energy is focused on his mission to re-connect people with nature for one purpose, getting conservation work done - urgently.

Our guest today is Professor Jane Barker who lives and works on a farm in the Lake District, with her husband, a fifth-generation sheep farmer.

She farms sheep, including rare breeds, has a herd of foul ponies, restores peatland and, inspired by an early twentieth century gardening book, has the most extraordinary compost making company, which was nominated for the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show sustainable garden product of the year.

We'll be talking all things gardening.

Today is going to be a cracking listen... you won’t be able to think in the same way after you have heard our guest and I’m thrilled she could take the time to be with us.

She has been hailed by Sir David Attenborough as the woman responsible for starting the plastic free movement. A Plastic Ocean was a film which changed the face of ocean conservation, making a wide audience aware of the insidious spread of plastic and micro plastic in our oceans.

Jo Ruxton, our guest today produced that film and can tell us about some of the magic and some of the mayhem she has witnessed, first hand in the remotest parts of our oceans. She went on to found Ocean Generation and can share what we can all do to make a difference.

Have you ever worn or bought an item of clothing? If so you will want to listen to today's guest. She is a regular opinion leader across the media including Ch5 News, Steph’s Packed Lunch and Women’s Hour. She is hailed as ‘thought leader’ A thought leader working across all elements of intersectional environmentalism, fashion retail and sustainability - Emma is a change maker in the sustainable fashion and retail space and knows first hand how creativity, individualism and innovation will change the world.

Links as mentioned in the podcast, courtesy of Emma:

Fashion Revolution

Curiously Conscious

Colèchi - there’s a journal also and they put on lots of events

The slow grind

Climate in colour

The Earth Issue - magazine

The slow factory

The orispresent - The Or foundation

Hubbub - they have a podcast too

The lab e20 events

Podcasts:

Sustainably influenced podcast

Wardrobe crisis podcast - Clare press

Content creators/ educators:

Venetia La manna

Twin Brett

Besma

Apps:

Sojo app - repair

Save My Wardrobe

Authors/ Books:

All we can save - Anya Elizabeth Johnson

How to break up with fast fashion - Lauren Bravo

Wear Next - Clare Press

Sustainable Wardrobe - Sophie Benson

Cradle to Cradle - Michael braungart

Rental platforms / second hand platforms:

Curated loop

By rotation

Hurr

Loanhood

My Wardrobe HQ

Cocoon Club - handbags

Thrift Plus

Vinted

Depop

Vestiaire

Second hand sellers on Instagram

Porcelain and Red

The pansy garden, Retold Vintage, Mother London,Darling and Vintage,Selenas shop,