What if the key to saving our planet isn't choosing between profit and preservation, but reimagining how they work together?

In this final episode of our environmental leadership series, Rich Stockdale, CEO of Oxygen Conservation shares how he's transforming conservation into a legitimate investment asset class. From purchasing degraded estates to creating thriving ecosystems, discover how Oxygen Conservation is building a £1 billion natural capital portfolio while proving that environmental restoration and profit can go hand in hand.

Key Discussion Points:

- How Oxygen Conservation selects and transforms degraded land

- Creating environmental and social impact while generating returns

- Building a professional culture in the conservation sector

- Balancing founder life with family commitments

Notable Quotes:

"When you go to a degraded landscape, they're silent... And when you arrive at noise, it's audibly loud with the buzzing and insects."

"We don't buy high quality farmland... We target marginal land that probably should never have been farmed."

"If we're not prepared to pay our interns in the environment sector, why on earth would anyone invest in us?"

Resources Mentioned:

- Oxygen Conservation: Oxygen Conservation - Home

- Book: Wilding by Isabella Tree - Wilding by Isabella Tree | Goodreads

Rich's Top 3 Leadership Tips:

1. Be incredibly bold and call your shot

2. Out-work everybody in the room

3. Never sacrifice your bar when it comes to talent - if it's not a "hell yes," it's a no

How Listeners Can Help:

- Make mindful purchasing choices

- Buy less, buy higher quality

- Check where your pension is invested

- Support organic and locally-sourced products

Connect with Rich:

Rich Stockdale PhD | LinkedIn

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In this episode of "Making the Difference," host Kirsty Gilchrist talks with Rebecca Douglas, a visual storyteller and environmental advocate who connects visionaries, changemakers, and conscious brands to nature through her photography, speaking, and writing. We explore her journey from developing film as a teenager to becoming shortlisted for Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024.

Rebecca wants to help people to see the challenges of the climate crisis in a different light through her visual story telling in order that people can begin to think differently in what and how they do it.

Key Takeaways:

- The importance of aligning your work with your values for impactful storytelling.

- How reconnecting with nature can inspire profound personal and societal changes.

- Strategies for leveraging creativity in advocacy efforts.

We discuss why understanding Your 'Why' is so important, reconnection to nature emphasising cyclical living and its benefits on well-being, through to balancing passion with purpose. Ultimately, Rebecca envisions a world where authentic storytelling reconnects people to nature, sparking curiosity, awe, and actionable change.

Interesting links for Rebecca:

Home — Radically authentic visual storyteller - photographer - writer - speaker (rebeccadouglas.co.uk)

Shortlisted image - Ocean Photographer of the Year - Finalist OPY2024 (rebeccadouglas.co.uk)

Connect with the podcast:

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FFeksWNQNaIYwqJgK48zP?si=FQZaYvVDQMmgQUw9Ptmb2Q

Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-the-difference/id1706732755

Find out more about The Brave Collective

Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrn

Webpage: The Brave Collective

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In this episode of "Making the Difference," host Kirsty Gilchrist sits down with Donald McPhillimy, an unsung hero who has quietly transformed Scotland's environment over decades. From his early days as a self-employed forester to co-founding Reforesting Scotland and other impactful initiatives, Donald shares his incredible journey of rewilding efforts and ecological restoration.

Key Takeaways:

- The long-term vision required in forestry versus the urgent nature of climate action.

- How small actions contribute to significant environmental change.

- Insights into successful grassroots movements like Carrifran Wildwood.

Donald's story is one of resilience and vision—balancing practical hands-on forestry work with broader campaigning efforts aimed at long-term ecological restoration. His journey underscores both the urgency of addressing current climate emergencies as well as nurturing biodiversity patiently over time.

Interesting links:

Reforesting Scotland – Restoring the land and the people

Greener Melrose -

Connect with the podcast:

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FFeksWNQNaIYwqJgK48zP?si=FQZaYvVDQMmgQUw9Ptmb2Q

Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-the-difference/id1706732755

Find out more about The Brave Collective

Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/m26vrn

Webpage: The Brave Collective

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.