Nature In A Nutshell

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Oct 2026

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In every Nature in a Nutshell episode, we sit down to chat about the latest ecology news in the UK and Ireland. We will break down what it means and how it might impact nature, society, and those working in this space in an easily digestible way. Whether you are an aspiring ecologist or environmental manager, there will be something for you. This podcast is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. CIEEM is the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. With a growing membership and an increasingly influential voice we are transforming the professionalism of the sector, just as our members are transforming understanding of, and attitudes towards, protecting and enhancing our natural environment. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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44 recent

November 2, 202639 min

43: Scotland's Planning Biodiversity Metric & Programme for Government

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we take a deep dive into one of the most significant developments in Scottish Environmental Policy: the proposed Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric. We're joined by special guest Sarah Macdonald-Smart, Biodiversity Metric Officer at NatureScot, who shares her expertise on the development of the metric, how it differs from England's Biodiversity Net Gain approach, and how it aims to support better outcomes for nature through Scotland's planning system. We explore key questions around irreplaceable habitats, habitat creation and enhancement, invasive non-native species, long-term monitoring, watercourse assessments and what practitioners should consider when responding to the current consultation. We also discuss the Scottish Government's new Programme for Government 2026-31, including proposals to accelerate planning and regulation, and the potentially far-reaching plans to merge several environmental bodies, including NatureScot and SEPA, into a single environmental organisation. We examine what this could mean for biodiversity delivery, regulation, protected areas and environmental governance in Scotland, as well as CIEEM's response to the proposals. To round off the episode, we bring you some positive news as the Bank of England announces that future UK banknotes will feature native wildlife, with a buff-tailed bumblebee, barn owl, Atlantic puffin and European hedgehog set to appear on redesigned notes following a public vote. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric Consultation – open until 30th November Proposed merger of environmental bodies Wildlife to appear on UK banknotes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 9, 202648 min

42: Vision for the Nature Service Wales with Daniel Lock

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we chat with Daniel Lock, Director of the Nature Service Wales, about the ambitious vision for the initiative, designed to help drive nature recovery across Wales by creating opportunities for people to learn, participate and build careers in the environmental sector. We discuss why nature recovery is as much a people challenge as an ecological one, the skills and capacity Wales will need to meet its environmental ambitions, and how barriers to accessing nature careers can be removed. The conversation also examines workforce development, fairer pathways into ecology, the role of professional bodies such as CIEEM, and whether Wales is ready to deliver emerging policy commitments such as Net Benefits for Biodiversity. Jason also reflects on his three days at the Labour Party Conference where CIEEM was a partner in a full day of nature-focused events as well as a delegate at the main conference. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: CIEEM at the Labour Party Conference 2026 – by Jason Reeves Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 4, 202636 min

41: The Role of Ecologists in Wildfire Prevention with Harri Webb

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we're joined by CIEEM Vice President (Wales), Harri Webb, to explore the rising wildfire risks in the UK. We explore the ecological impacts of wildfires and what can be done to reduce their risk before they start. Beyond the immediate damage seen in the headlines, we discuss the long-term effects on habitats, species, peatlands, and water quality, and why ecologists are becoming an increasingly important part of wildfire resilience planning. We also take a look at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)'s recently revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England. 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. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Revised National Planning Policy Framework published: what it means for ecology and environmental management A field left to run wild has led to an abundance of wildflowers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 6, 202640 min

40: Nature's Rights Bill with Baroness Natalie Bennett

In this episode, Baroness Natalie Bennett discusses the ground-breaking Nature's Rights Bill, exploring how recognising nature's rights can transform environmental policy, law, and culture. Baroness Natalie Bennett sits in the House of Lords as one of two Green Party Peers. A former journalist, Natalie led the Green Party of England and Wales from 2012 to 2016, before being given a peerage in 2019. Baroness Bennett is currently sponsoring the Nature’s Rights Bill in the House of Lords, which recently received its second reading and which you can hear all about in this episode. 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. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Natalie's new book: Green Thinking, Unlearning Outdated Ideas in Science, Economics and Politics Natalie's website Adrian Ramsey’s EDM on the Nature’s Rights Bill CIEEM Members: Access the new and enhanced Wellbeing Gateway platform New Prime Minister, New Cabinet CIEEM writes to new Secretaries of State on the value of ecological expertise CIEEM Reaches Landmark 10,000 Member Milestone This episode may contain dynamically inserted advertisements served by our hosting platform, Acast. These advertisements are not selected by, affiliated with, or endorsed by CIEEM, and do not necessarily reflect our views or values. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 9, 202637 min

39: Biodiversity Enhancement (BNG) in Ireland with Liz O’Reilly, Malcolm Noonan and Hannah Sheridan

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 Sheridan, Senior Ecologist at Arup 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. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) - Regulation 3ZA: implementation report 2019 to 2024 Habitats Regulations Report underscores the need for urgent action to restore nature in Northern Ireland IBGC Recommendations for the Enhancement of Biodiversity in New Residential Developments CIEEM BNG in the Island of Ireland: Survey results report (August 2025 ) CIEEM Position paper: Implementation of a biodiversity metric in Scotland (September 2025) CIEEM Response to Ireland’s draft National Nature Restoration Plan (1 July 2026) CIEEM Ecology Skills & Capacity in Ireland CIEEM Briefing Paper: Biodiversity Net Gain in Ireland To find out more please go to TIIPublications.ie and search ‘Biodiversity Metric’ and for access to the full Metric Package email biodiversitymetric@tii.ie for access. This episode may contain dynamically inserted advertisements served by our hosting platform, Acast. These advertisements are not selected by, affiliated with, or endorsed by CIEEM, and do not necessarily reflect our views or values. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 5, 202626 min

38: Wales and Scotland Election Debrief On What This Means For Nature

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 to complete and will help us shape future episodes. Show notes: Planetary Solvency: Tipping into the Wild Unknown – Global Nature Risk Management Plaid Cymru’s Environmental Policies Wildlife using new UK’s first heathland wildlife bridge within days of opening Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 5, 202628 min

37: Biodiversity Net Gain Updates with Dr Julia Baker

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 2-3 minutes to complete and will help us shape future episodes. Show notes: Government publishes new announcements on BNG Government confirms forthcoming changes to Biodiversity Net Gain rules Government confirms Biodiversity Net Gain for major infrastructure from November 2026 The fast-track tree breeding method that is restoring ash to the landscape This episode may contain dynamically inserted advertisements served by our hosting platform, Acast. These advertisements are not selected by, affiliated with, or endorsed by CIEEM, and do not necessarily reflect our views or values. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 9, 202636 min

36: New Approach to Bat Licensing & Upcoming Wales and Scotland Elections

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 from the last month. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ We’d love your feedback on Nature In A Nutshell. This short survey will take 2-3 minutes to complete and will help us shape future episodes. Show notes: Natural England exploring new approaches to bat licensing CIEEM Manifesto for the Senedd Election 2026 CIEEM Manifesto for the Scottish Election 2026 Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025: Major Gaps in Understanding of Environmental Law and Ecology Government responds to the Fingleton Review The Government’s Response to the Fingleton Review: Progress and Continuing Concerns – by Sally Hayns CEcol FCIEEM Public Accounts Committee publishes report saying Defra does not have necessary resources Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 2, 202624 min

35: Wales Environment Act and Habitats Regulations across the UK & Ireland

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 2-3 minutes and will help us shape future episodes. You can also submit a question for our upcoming Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) episode! Show notes: Landmark national security report on biodiversity loss released with little public attention IPBES-12: a scientific reality check for the global economy – and a blueprint for business action on nature The RACE Report 2025 Sees Racial Diversity Boost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 6, 202641 min

34: Parenting and Ecology

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 unsociable hours and seasonal pressures, the compromises they’ve made along the way, and what workplace practices have made the biggest positive difference for their families. We also look ahead, asking what still needs to change to better support parents and carers in ecology, and what advice they’d give to those considering parenthood. Thank you to our guests: Anita Hogan CEcol CEnv MCIEEM Nick Marchant MCIEEM Laura Sanderson CEcol CEnv MCIEEM Hannah Williams MCIEEM Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.