Knowing Nature

Interview with Jack Ashby about his recent book, Platypus Matters. We talk a bit about the amazing platypus, the history of natural history collecting, and why we should think carefully about the language we use to talk about animals.    Full show notes

Conversation with Andy Chandler-Grevatt about moss safaris, how to meet a tardigrade, and how encounters with tiny animals can spark interest in nature and science. Follow Andy on Twitter    Full show notes   Follow Knowing Nature on Twitter

Conversation with Joshua Styles from British Botany and the Northwest Rare Plants Initiative . We talk about bogs, their importance for carbon storage, and about some of the amazing plants that live in these harsh habitats.   Full notes at KnowingNature.cc 

Looking to get into science communication? Wanting to move from the classroom to environmental education outdoors or in museums? In this episode I'm joined by Alison Shean to discuss what a science communicator does, and share job interview tips. Job interview tips at 12:00 Full show notes  

Seagrass meadows are one of the least-known habitat types, but they are very important for carbon sequestration and as nurseries for many fish species. In this episode I speak with Project Seagrass to learn more about seagrass habitats, restoration success, and how people can get involved in protecting these marine grasslands.   Full show notes

Supporting LGBTQ+ students in higher education. Why identity matters in STEM, the positive impacts of an instructor choosing to be out, and reducing anxiety in active learning practices.   Full show notes with links to related resources and in-depth reading.

Interview with the University Museum of Zoology in Cambridge about their Bridging Binaries tours. These tours look at the contributions that LGBTQ+ perspectives have made to natural history, and highlight ways in which nature is more complex than simple binaries.   Full show notes here

Interview with Thomas Green, PhD candidate at the Centre for Biological Diversity at the University of St Andrew’s. We discuss how heteronormative and queer perspectives have shaped research into animal reproductive behaviour. Thomas share's about their research into evolution of same-sex sexual behaviours in non-human animals, and cricket mating behaviours.   Full notes at: https://knowingnaturep...

Interview with Phillip from the Bat Conservation Trust about their citizen science programmes. We also discuss a bit of bat ecology and share tips for leading a successful bat walk. Full notes on the podcast website.   Follow the podcast on twitter @KN_podcast   Music in this episode: Marble Machine by Wintergaten

Interview with the Tahoma Audubon Society about birdwatching, community science, and issues to think about when feeding birds.   Read the full show notes here.

Discussion about environmental education in Cordova, Alaska. How the programs at the Prince William Sound Science Centre address the legacy of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. We also talk about their summer programs. Bringing together kids from across the Copper River watershed, and allowing them to share their different experiences with the river and understand the connections between their communiti...

Interview about a campaign to develop local agroforestry in order to encourage communities to protect shea trees from being cut down for charcoal production. Save the Shea Tree campaign website   Full show notes

Interview with the manager of the Kipepeo Butterfly Project, a conservation initiative manged in part by the National Museum of Kenya. The project works with locals around the Arabuko Sokoke forest national park to breed butterflies for export to butterfly displays around the world.   The project has improved the incomes of families and communities living around the forest. It has also changed att...

Conversation with Professor Martin Bunzl about what philosophy has to add to discussions around environmental issues. We also look at some of the themes in his latest book, Thinking While Walking. How should we think about the nature of the risks posed by climate change? What are the moral dimensions of sacrificing the wellbeing of some species for the wellbeing of others?   For more information a...

Interview with Dr. Richard Comont from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust about their citizen science programmes. Information about what's involved in each scheme with suggestions for the amount of time and experience is needed for each one. We also discuss recommendations for ID guides of UK bees and bumblebees (33:30).   Find out more about the Bumblebee Conservation Trust   Full show notes on the...

Discussion with Rosie and Cristina about the 2021 documentary Seaspiracy. We discuss its successes and failings as a piece of science communication or environmental education, including the pitfalls of using the conspiracy framing. We also share a few ideas for how teachers might make use of the film in their classes, or approach the various issues it raises.   You may want to watch the film first...

Discussion with Lorna Fox about evaluation in environmental education. We talk about some of the limitations with how educators generally evaluate the success of their programmes, and highlight some of the pitfalls of relying on observations of student engagement during sessions.   Check out this free pdf resource from the North American Association for Environmental Education: Practitioner Guide...

Interview with Dimuthu about the education programme at the Soanes Centre in Tower Hamlets Cemetery park. Dim walks us through a few of the sessions he runs, including sessions on soil formation and rocks which take advantage of one of the special features of the cemetery park, the historical grave stones. He also talks a bit about navigating the topics of death and decay which inevitably come up...

Interview with Kenneth Greenway, about balancing the needs of people and nature in a historic cemetery park. He tells us how he uses foraging as a way to encourage people to value their park while also learning some botany.  Ken also shares how staff manage antisocial behaviour like teenagers peeing in bins.  Full show notes here

Ideas for a cross curricular unit on the parts and needs of plants based on the UK year 3 curriculum (ages 7-8). Starts with an example story inspired by the history of strawberries. Full show notes here    

Discussion of two pieces of research and what they mean for environmental educators. Potential problems with embedding climate and sustainability in the curriculum. How environmental-hope-enhancing programs could resolve some of these issues. State of climate education in the UK - Teach the future  Environmental-hope-enhancing programs in schools - Journal of Environmental Education   Full show no...

Interview with Educator and Artist Charlotte about her experiences facilitating art workshops, and helping people take pride in their work. Then ideas for how environmental educators can adjust what we have kids do so that the experiences are more meaningful, and kids actually want to take home the paper we give them. Show notes at: https://knowingnaturepodcast.wordpress.com/ Music: Marble Machine...

Interview with Sarah Webley, Education and Outreach Coordinator at the South London Botanical Institute. We discuss how they structure their school sessions, and get an overview of the huge variety of programmes they offer. Find out more on their website https://www.slbi.org.uk/ Full notes and photos of their activities at: https://knowingnaturepodcast.wordpress.com/

Discussion of the 2016 film Arrival. Podcaster and author Atul Kumar discusses how taking a totally alien perspective can help break through impasses in tackling environmental issues. You may want to watch the film before listening and consider:   How does Louise’s approach to communication differ from the other characters? Are there lessons which can be applied to environmental and science commun...

Interview with Paul, Learning manager at the London Wetland Centre (LWC). A site maintained by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT). We discuss the ever popular pond dipping sessions, how they're structured and the resources provided to support students. Paul also shares his thoughts on the wonders of exploring nature at night.   Check out excerpts of resources used at LWC and full notes on this...