Make Space For Nature
NatureScot presents podcasts that celebrate Scotland's nature and landscapes. In each episode you'll find numerous ways to connect with - and protect - our amazing natural world. We want to inspire everyone to join the fight against climate change and reverse nature loss. Immerse yourself and #MakeSpaceForNature in your life. www.nature.scot
Episodes
47 episodes
Life at Loch Leven: exploring work and wildlife on the nature reserve
In this episode we head to Loch Leven National Nature Reserve to meet with Reserve Manager Jeremy Squire and Reserve Officer Sally Reay to learn about the area's vibrant ecosystem and the huge variety of wildlife that thrives in this habitat.
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24:22
Transforming lives and landscapes through nature volunteering
Curious about how volunteering can change lives and communities? This episode reveals the incredible work of Volunteering Matters, as we celebrate 40 years of Volunteers' Week. Robert Henderson joins us to spotlight the Volunteering Mat...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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29:52
Plants with Purpose: discovering green solutions for urban challenges
Join us as we chat to Caitlyn Johnstone, a Nature Based Solutions Scientist from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), to explore how plants and ecosystems can transform our cities.Discover how integrating nature-based solutions ca...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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36:37
Spring Clean Scotland: working together to Keep Scotland Beautiful
In this episode we chat to Heather McLaughlin from Keep Scotland Beautiful, about Spring Clean Scotland, the campaign which brings together people from across Scotland to tackle the litter emergency. We hear how this initiative ra...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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39:23
Scotland’s outdoor classroom: enriching learning by heading outside
In this episode we chat to Professor Greg Mannion from Stirling University and Dr Claire Ramjan, Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education at University of Glasgow, about the importance of outdoor learning.Recently revealed in a repor...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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29:15
Farming with nature: seven ways to boost biodiversity on farms
In this episode we chat with Rob Drummond, NatureScot's Farming with Nature Project Officer, who is also a farmer, and Robert Dale, who manages Lochhouses Farm in East Lothian. We discuss the importance of increasing biodiversity, nature habita...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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19:40
Nature's reset: using social media to get outdoors more, with digital creator Chris Lawlor
In this episode we chat with digital creator Chris Lawlor, who joins us to reveal the inspiration behind his social media channels and his dedication to sharing fascinating content from around Scotland. Chris explains how he's built an ...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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19:21
Scotland's wildcats: bringing Highland tigers back from the brink
What if you could play a part in saving a species from the brink of extinction? Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr Keri Langridge, Field Manager for the Saving Wildcats partnership, from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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19:42
Two bogs, a swamp and some islands: revealing the hidden gems of Loch Lomond and beyond
In this episode we take you on a boat trip down the River Endrick at Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, where we chat with NatureScot area staff Amee Hood, Stephen Longster and Robyn Hennessey. They guide us through the unique flo...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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26:55
Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels and tackling the threat of Invasive Non-Native Species
In this episode we chat to Katie Berry from Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, a project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, in partnership with NatureScot and others, working to ensure red squirrels continue to be a part of Scotland’s native wil...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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31:29
Explaining the underlying causes of the nature-climate crisis, and how we can all be part of the solution
In this episode we chat to Robin Pakeman from the James Hutton Institute about the underlying causes of nature loss in Scotland. Recently revealed in a new report commissioned by NatureScot and co-authored by Robin and colleagues at the James H...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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37:02
Beavers in Scotland: learning to live with nature's engineers
In this episode we head to the banks of the River Tay in Perthshire to meet with NatureScot’s beaver team and hear about the work they’re doing to help everyone in Scotland live alongside beavers again.Recorded at a recent demonstration ...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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26:10
Exploring Scotland's outdoors responsibly: insights and inspiration, with filmmaker Calum Maclean
In this episode, we talk to Calum Maclean, a presenter, social media specialist, filmmaker and writer.Fluent in Gaelic, Calum specialises in creating bilingual content about Scotland's outdoors, while helping to promote and enjoy respons...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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39:52
Unearthing the Past: Exploring Scotland's Fossil Code with Dr Elsa Panciroli
In this episode we chat to esteemed palaeontologist Dr Elsa Panciroli, a researcher at the Natural History Museum at the University of Oxford, who studies fossils and extinct life, with a particular interest in mammals. We discover the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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31:58
The stories, people and projects behind the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund
In this episode we meet some of the recipients of The Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund - a European Regional Development Challenge Fund, managed by NatureScot.The fund has supported projects that encourage visitors to experience a wide...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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44:27
Making space for nature photography, with wildlife filmmaker Libby Penman
In this episode we chat to award winning nature photographer and filmmaker Libby Penman. She tells us what drove her passion for nature and filmmaking, and gives us a few insider tips on ways we can improve our own wildlife photography.W...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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30:44
Natural Capital: pushing nature to the top of the agenda, with Donya Davidson
In this episode we chat to Donya Davidson, NatureScot’s Natural Capital Tools Manager.Donya explains what we mean by Natural Capital, how taking a natural capital approach to managing land can provide multiple benefits for both people an...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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23:09
Unlocking potential through apprenticeships, with Mark Williamson
In this episode we chat to Mark Williamson, a Modern Apprentice with NatureScot, focused on Rural Environmental Conservation. He tells us about the wide variety of work he’s involved with across three National Nature Reserves, his work ...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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18:25
Connecting with the outdoors from the inside, with Anna Wood
In this episode we chat to nature photographer Anna Wood, who, after developing severe ME which left her mostly housebound, discovered the joy of watching and photographing birds in her garden. She explains how connecting wit...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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28:10
Making Space For Nature with Less Waste Laura
In this episode we chat to Laura Young, also known as Less Waste Laura, an award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer.Recently awarded Scottish Influencer...
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38:10
Understanding the increase in urban birds, with Simon Foster
In this episode we chat to Simon Foster, NatureScot’s Trends and Indicators Analysis Officer, about our latest research which reveals an increase in the number of birds in Scotland’s towns and cities.He explains the likely reasons for th...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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18:53
Using Environmental DNA to prevent nature loss, with Brodie Thomas
Brodie Thomas, a project placement helping to facilitate NatureScot's use of genetic technologies, explains what Environmental DNA is, and how this non-invasive sampling technique can monitor wildlife and help build up a detailed image of what ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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11:38
Attracting young people to green jobs, with Ceara Webster and Amy Kidd
In this episode we hear about NatureScot’s Programme for Youth employment, a programme helping to develop nature based skills to support the fight against climate change and nature loss.Since 2021 we’ve offered around 40 jobs for younger...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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33:31
Taking action to help peatlands, with Ben Inglis-Grant and Sue White
In this episode we chat with Peatland ACTION Project Officers Ben Inglis-Grant and Sue White. Both are based on Scottish islands; Sue works with Shetland Amenity Trust and Ben is with Carloway Estate Trust on the isle of Lewis.We hear ab...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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24:26
The Nature Library: how stories connect people with nature, with Christina Riley
In this episode NatureScot staff Fiona Leith and Claire Gordon chat to Christina Riley the founder of the Nature Library, a pop-up nature library which travels to festivals and events around Scotland.Christina explains how the book colle...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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22:14