The Lodge Cast

For this episode of The Lodge Cast, we’re heading to Kent with Ben Morris and James Dilnott 🦫 Working at the intersection of conservation and water management, Ben and James are navigating wild beaver populations expanding across highly managed, low-lying catchments. In this episode, they explore what makes Kent so unique and discuss: 🦫 Why Southeast England’s waterways are far from natural 🦫 H...

For this episode of The Lodge Cast, we’re heading to the River Avon with Bevis Watts and Jen Robertson 🦫 From early, low-profile sightings during lockdown to a nationally recognised population, Bevis and Jen have been closely involved in documenting the return of wild beavers to one of England’s busier river catchments. In this episode, they explore key themes emerging from the Avon population:...

We’re heading to Knapdale with wildlife ranger and co-founder of the Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation, Oly Armstrong 🦫 Home to Scotland’s first official beaver reintroduction trial, Knapdale has become a cornerstone of beaver recovery in Britain and a place where people travel from across the world to see these animals shaping the landscape. In this episode, Oly shares what makes Knapdale so...

We’re kicking off Series 8 of The Lodge Cast with Tom Bowser, author of two brilliant books and owner of Argaty Red Kites. The first private landowner in Scottish history to legally release beavers into the wild, Tom shares how life on the farm has transformed since the animals were released in 2021. He also steps into the judge's seat for our first 'fact-off' of the series, but does our new co-ho...

For this episode, Eva and Emily are joined by Billy Heaney, zoologist and wildlife guide, to learn more about the relationship between beavers and birds, from the river margins and beaver ponds up to the tree canopy and beyond. Birds are key indicators of environmental health, and changes in their populations can often signal wider shifts happening in an ecosystem. In this episode, you can find ou...

We’re joined by Professor Nigel Willby and Patrick Cook, an ecologist and PhD student, from the University of Stirling, to explore the species group at the base of any food chain: plants 🌱 Nigel and Patrick help us unpack: 🌿 What long-term research from Bamff reveals about how beaver activity boosts plant diversity, including a 46% increase in species richness and dramatic rises in habitat “mess...

This week, we chat with Anne Goodenough, Professor of Applied Ecology at the University of Gloucestershire, about the fascinating relationship between beavers and bats.  In this episode, we explore:  🦇 How beaver wetlands act as an "all you can eat buffet" or an "all-inclusive resort" for insectivorous bats. 🦇 Bat species in Britain, and which benefit the most from beaver activities. 🦇 Why bats...

We’re kicking off Series 8 by championing the underbug with Dr Alan Law, lecturer in nature-based solutions at the University of Stirling 🪲   An expert in aquatic invertebrates and freshwater ecology in beaver habitats, Alan helps us explore the influence beavers have on these small yet mighty creatures and brings his own brilliant beaver fact to the fact-off. The question is, does it take the wi...

Join us for a fascinating double interview in this final episode of the series, featuring Paul Martin, a leading wildlife education professional and author of the natural literacy model, and Holly Usher, a primary teacher with 15 years of experience turned Senior Education Officer at Beaver Trust.  Together, they provide invaluable insights into the critical role of education in fostering a strong...

Join us for a captivating conversation with Derek Gow, world-renowned conservationist, author and owner of Rewilding Coombeshead, a pioneering species recovery centre in North Devon. A key figure in UK rewilding, Derek shares his vast knowledge and experience on the historical, cultural and ecological significance of beavers. In this episode, we delve into: A history of beavers in Britain: Uncover...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr Roger Auster , lecturer in environmental social science at the University of Exeter, as we delve into the social dimensions of beaver reintroduction and the human element of wildlife recovery and nature restoration.  In this episode, we will be exploring: The concept of renewed coexistence: Understand the meaning behind this term, coined by Roger and...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr Sean McCormack, vet, Beaver Trust ambassador, co-founder of Ealing Beaver Project and founder of Ealing Wildlife Group, as we explore beaver reintroductions in the heart of London. Sean sits at the intersection between community and wildlife reintroduction, and has done a huge amount for raising awareness about beavers and connecting people with their...

Who better to close the series than the one and only, Chris Packham CBE ? Chris is a world-renowned naturalist, campaigner, broadcaster and science communicator. He makes waves across the conservation sector for championing the natural world, and we couldn't think of a better guest to help us understand the big stuff: beavers, biodiversity, climate - and the road ahead. Also coming up: Producer Em...

This week we're joined by Professor Richard Brazier - a leading academic in Earth Surface Processes at the University of Exeter and an authority on how beavers interact with a changing landscape. Richard co-directs the University’s Centre for Resilience in Environment Water and Waste ( CREWW ), which pioneers research projects that find out how we can better protect the environment and live alongs...

Following the news that 2023 was officially Earth's hottest year on record, Eva and Sophie want answers. This week, we return to ecohydrologist, assistant professor and science communicator, Dr Emily Fairfax  - world-renowned beaver researcher and Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, and our go-to for all things beaver and wildfire. Emily is leading groundbreaking research in the St...

Greetings fair listeners! And welcome back to a brand new, shiny series of Beaver Trust's The Lodge Cast! In our sixth series join us on an international journey of discovery, where, with the help of leading experts we navigate the global crisis of climate change, how it is playing out locally here in Britain and where beavers fit into the conversation. It’s a highly complex subject, so in this se...

Who better to close the fifth series of #TheLodgeCast than the man, the myth, the legend - Gerhard Schwab ?! Regarded by many as the ‘Beaver Godfather’ of Europe, with a lifetime of dedication to beaver reintroduction and human/wildlife coexistence gaining him major prominence in the beaver restoration movement across Europe.  In 1988 Gerhard began what started as a four-year review of Bavarian be...

In this episode, we are joined by two key voices in the beaver management world. To help us better understand the Scottish lived experience with beavers, and to unpack the opportunities presented by the landmark Scottish Beaver Strategy, we speak to Dr Jenny Bryce a Wildlife Ecologist for NatureScot . We then pull on our boots, and hit the ground running in a conversation with Dr Roisin Campbell-P...

We were thrilled to be able to speak with Dr Jitka Uhlíková, - a zoologist who works for the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic - the expert body of their Ministry of Environment Agency. Based at the headquarters in Prague in the division where action plans for endangered animal species and management plans for conflict species are implemented, Jitka is the coordinator of the Beaver...

Greetings fair listeners! And welcome back to a brand new, shiny series of Beaver Trust's The Lodge Cast! In our fifth series, join us on an international journey of discovery, where, with the help of leading experts we navigate the complexities of beaver mitigation and management - among the most topical discussions surrounding beaver restoration in Britain today.  To kick-off Series 5 with a ban...

Hello, Lodge Casters! We interrupt our series break with a lovely little audio surprise for you. We sent our friend, the actor, environmentalist and Trees A Crowd podcast host, David Oakes, up to RSPB Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve . Meeting RSPB Site Manager, Paula Baker, David finds out how the beavers are doing six months after arrival, exploring how the landscape has changed, and what’s n...

Well, listeners, that's nearly it for Series 4! We have one treat left for you to round-off our debut foray into the essential topic of 'beavers and farming.' We are joined by Lee Schofield, acclaimed author of  Wild Fell and Senior Site Manager at RSPB Haweswater in Cumbria.  Lee is a master at managing vast areas of intensively worked land in a way which favours both people and nature, finding i...

In this episode, we hop into driver's seat behind crucial environmental decisions, and talk money. It might not sound like a hot topic, but it’s a vitally important one. Money, as is so often the case, is the backbone of species reintroduction programmes. And this topic is also a great opportunity to sit across the table and explore the importance and role of government departments like DEFRA and...

In this episode, we are joined by two key voices in the 'beavers and farming' world.  Keen to better understand what it’s really like to have wild beavers living on your land, we’re joined by the Head of Wildlife and Conservation, Sam Bridgewater, and Head of Agriculture, Sam Briant-Evans, at Clinton Devon Estates - a major landowner stewarding 25,000 acres across East Devon's River Otter Catchmen...

Greetings fair listeners! And welcome back to a brand new, shiny series of Beaver Trust's The Lodge Cast! We're excited to bring you an evolved format. Full disclosure: we’re going a bit more beaver. Each new series will be a deep dive into a core discussion area around beaver restoration in Britain, starting with...beavers and farming.  To kick-start a fantastic Series 4, we are joined by Sarah L...