Nature In A Nutshell

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we break down Biodiversity Net Gain, or Biodiversity Enhancement, in Ireland and what this means for people and nature and some positive news about a rare plant making a remarkable comeback in Kent. With special guests Liz O’Reilly, CIEEM’s Ireland Coordinator and part of CIEEM’s Policy Team, Senator Malcolm Noonan of the Green Party and Hannah Sherida...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we look at a new report on nature and the economy, review the Welsh and Scottish election results and what they mean for the environment, and finish with some good news about a first-of-its-kind infrastructure project. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ We’d love your feedback on Nature In A Nutshell. This  short survey  will take 2-3 minutes t...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we’re joined by Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) expert, Dr Julia Baker from Mott MacDonald, to unpack the latest BNG developments and what they could mean for ecologists, planners, developers, and land managers across the sector. Visit our website:  https://cieem.net/ We’d love your feedback on Nature In A Nutshell. This  short survey will take 2...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we discuss the new approach to bat licensing in England; an overview of the upcoming national elections in Wales and Scotland, which could potentially be pretty seismic; a short piece on Northern Ireland's Nature Recovery Strategy; we’ll cover the Westminster Government’s response to the Fingleton Review; and, as always, we’ll end with some positive news fr...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we update you on the Wales Environment Act, the reports on implementation of Habitats Regulations across the UK and Ireland, a new national security and biodiversity report, an update on IPBES-12, and we finish with our usual good news. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ We’d love your feedback on  Nature In A Nutshell. This short survey will take 2...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by special guests to talk honestly about life as a parent working in the ecology sector. From career paths and fieldwork realities to flexibility, support, and shared caregiving, we explore how becoming a parent can shape professional choices - and how the sector is (slowly) changing in response. Our guests share their experiences of juggling...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by CIEEM's CEO, Sally Hayns, CIEEM's Vice President for Scotland, Caroline McParland, and Chair of CIEEM's Strategic Policy Panel, Ben Kite, to review the ecology and environmental management news of 2025, and look ahead to 2026. 2025 was a very busy year - the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, BNG, Scotland's Natural Environment Bill and Wale...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we welcome Ellie Strike - Head of Regulatory Programmes - at the Office for Environmental Protection (the OEP) to talk about their report on Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). The report came out in July but the Government have just responded. We also cover the first discussion of Stage 2 amendments to the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill and the l...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we welcome our CIEEM colleagues Brian Heppenstall and Annie Robinson to talk about our Green Jobs for Nature project, which aims to encourage young people to consider pursuing a job in the environment sector. We also discuss the latest updates to the Natural Environmental Bill in Scotland and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in England. Visit our websit...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we welcome James Hicks, Associate Director at RSK Wilding and founding member of the CIEEM Ecological Restoration Special Interest Group, on the podcast to discuss the recently published Rebuilding Nature: Good Practice Principles on Ecological Restoration. We also cover the Environment Link report on the UK's progress towards protecting 30% of land, freshw...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we welcome CIEEM's CEO, Sally Hayns, and a member of CIEEM’s Strategic Policy Panel and Wales Policy Working Group, Craig Llewllyn to discuss where we are and what's happening next with England's Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We also cover the latest announcements on the Sustainable Farming Scheme in Wales, and the Environment (Principles, Governan...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by Dr Sam Reynolds from the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge for a fascinating, in-depth discussion on how we can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the ecology and environment sector. We also discuss the new Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) consultatio...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by Ashleigh Whiffin, Curator of Entomology at National Museums Scotland, who talks to us about the importance of insects and recording. We also have CIEEM's CEO, Sally Hayns, on the pod who breaks down the key findings from our State of the Profession survey report. We also have a quick update on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and Scotla...

In this episode, we chat with Kath Allen about eco-anxiety and how to manage it. We also discuss an update to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the current Land Use Framework and finally, the first use of NatureScot's compulsory deer control power. In our positive news segment, we share that a family of beavers are thriving in their new woodland home in Worcestershire, and Orkney curlew number...

In this episode, we discuss the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in England and the Call for Evidence on Scotland's Natural Environment Bill. We also cover the Welsh Government's Good Practice Guidance for Dark Skies. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: CIEEM responds to Planning and Infrastructure Bill Responding to the Call for evidence on Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill https:...

In line with the theme of the March edition of In Practice , we speak to Jo Riggall from Plantlife about the value of grasslands and Plantlife's Grassland Strategy. We also discuss the latest updates to land and planning in England, and also Net Benefits for Nature in Wales. We also talk about species new to science being discovered in the Congo and Humpback Whales bouncing back in UK waters. Natu...

In this episode, we talk about planning reforms in England, nature ambitions in Wales and Small Sites BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain). Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Visi...

In this episode, we share our 2024 environmental policy highlights from BNG to the new UK Government, and we also look ahead to what the ecology sector can expect in 2025. Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental man...

In this episode, we speak to Penny Lewns (CIEEM's new President) and Richard Handley (CIEEM's now past President) about CIEEM's achievements over the past three years and ambitions for the next three years. We also discuss what's in the UK's Budget for nature, COP16 and COP29, the controversial £100m bat shed on the HS2 railway route and a new governing body in Northern Ireland. Nature In A Nutshe...

In this episode, we get your questions about Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) answered by Helen Fearnley who works in Defra's BNG team.   We also cover BNG in Ireland and the Nature COP or COP16 in Colombia.   Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body representing and suppo...

In this episode, we speak to Craig Llewellyn who's been working on a set of criteria for Net Benefits for Biodiversity in Wales as part of the Working Group. We also cover the Natural Environment Bill in Scottish Programme for Government and the Environment Improvement Plan in Northern Ireland Programme for Government. Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecolo...

In this episode, we discuss the disconnect between nature restoration and resourcing in England, Scotland and Wales. We also discuss the unauthorised release of beavers in England, a new ecology apprenticeship and rewilding in Europe. Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body re...

We have a new UK Government! In this episode, we review our seven recommendations for the new UK Government and discuss the resignation of the First Minister for Wales, Vaugn Gething. We also discuss fascinating evidence that diversionary feeding is reducing the predation impact of Pine Marterns on Capercaillie in RSPB Abernethy and the Flow Country getting World Heritage Status. Nature In A Nutsh...

It's General Election season! In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell we discuss what each political party's manifesto says about nature restoration and climate change. We also cover the new EU Nature Restoration Law and the #RestoreNatureNow demonstration. Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading pro...

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell we discuss a new report on how to tackle Invasive Non-Native Species in Scotland, a new study that has found conservation actions are working for biodiversity, and an update on the Sustainable Farming Scheme in Wales. We also cover how leaving your grass to grow long in your garden can boost butterfly numbers by almost double and the Scottish Government's co...