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 Emma makes an appearance as judge to deliver overall series winners of the #FactOff and the...

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 alongside it. Most notably, Richard was also a key figure in the research that led to the success of the...

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 States into how beaver wetlands can act as natural firebreaks, and mitigate against extreme...

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 series we hope to illuminate why that is. To start us off, we welcome none other than Bob Ward  -...

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 beavers. And ever since then he has been involved in reintroduction programmes across Europe. He’s...

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-Palmer - Beaver Trust’s Head of Restoration and the Lodge Cast’s debut returning guest! Roisin...

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 Management Plan. Jitka tells us, 'beavers taught me humility.' This conversation is an invaluable...

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 bang, we are joined by Mike Callahan. Based on the east coast of the United States, Mike’s career...

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 next for this unique beaver project in Scotland. Tune in for the next 15 minutes to find out...

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 atRSPB 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 it a test of patience, economics and bravery to embrace change. Wild Fell explores the fragility of...

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 their advisory organisations like Natural England, in ensuring a robust and positive future for...

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 Catchment. The estate was a core partner in the River Otter Beaver Trial, working with Devon Wildlife...

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 Langford, London barrister-turned-regenerative farmer and author of the acclaimed book, Rooted....

*Final episode alert*! And it's a corker. We finally pin down the wonderful Nina Constable for an honest, open and (at times emotional!) chat about all things motherhood, moviemaking and courageous conservation storytelling.  Nina is an award winning self-shooting director/filmmaker based in Cornwall, UK. Her films have screened in festivals globally and her work has featured in many national broadcasts. Nina is dedicated to capturing and exploring the world we live in, believing in the...

Have you ever wondered what time spent in a thriving beaver wetland might do for your mental health? It turns out that this is a hugely overlooked area of science, and Sophie and Eva turn to Sam Gandy for answers. Sam is an ecologist and researcher with Imperial College London, who has been working with Dr Ros Watts, Clinical Psychologist on a groundbreaking new piece of research demonstrating the psychological benefits of beaver reintroduction. Sam believes that nature connectedness...

In the age of dual climate and biodiversity crises, endless jargon and deafening online 'noise', is science communication more important than ever to get right? You are in for a treat this week, as Sophie and Eva get down to business with 'Radio Lady-O' herself, Emily Knight. She is responsible for incredible BBC ear food like NatureBang, Extinction Tapes for Radio 4 and the BBC Earth Podcast. She’s one of our favourite people to listen to and we are thrilled you are about to join us in...

Were you ever aware of the long lost story of The Great British Wetland? Introducing your storyteller: Arlin Rickard OBE.  Founder of the West Country Rivers Trust and later The Rivers Trust organisation, now their Chief Policy Advisor - Arlin is a leader of freshwater in his own league - leading the movement for over 25 years.  A key contributor in Beaver Trust's upcoming documentary about river buffers On The Edge, Arlin tells us how rivers should be highly connected, dynamic,...

Not many people have the guts to leave farming and pioneer a newer, wilder, potentially riskier approach to land management. But then farmer and conservationist, Charlie Burrell and his wife, Isabella Tree are not many people. Talking to Sophie and Eva from one of the most talked-about estates in the UK, and no doubt in a room not too far from nesting stalks, author and landowner Isabella Tree shares the inspirational story of Knepp Castle Estate - and shows us that we can dare to hope for a...

To kick off a brand new series, Team Lodge Cast at Beaver Trust couldn't think of a more apt person to help with this than Ben Goldfarb.  Award-winning environment writer, and author of the book, Eager; the secret life of beavers and why they matter - Ben is in a league of his own when it comes to helping us understand beavers and our surprisingly entwined history with them in the USA and UK. Ben unpacks the fascinating social and ecological nuance surrounding their reintroduction, and...

Well ahoy there listeners! The Lodge Cast is back with a beaver bang for a shiny SERIES THREE of brain prodding chats with you all!  Given the um, state of things, this series focusses on the theme of HOPE - be it hope for nature, the climate, or personally. From BBC broadcasters to award-winning authors and rewilding pioneers, we couldn't be more excited with the range of incredible guests we have in store for you, or the fact that we are now going to be coming to you WEEKLY - bringing six...

Join Eva and Sophie for a final time (honestly) for 2021 in a jolly round up of the year, and one last chat with an amazing guest! Together we'll reminisce the best bits of Season 2 with our amazing guests including Dr Amir Khan and Gillian Burke.  And we also have a wonderful, happy time with the inimitable Iolo Williams, Welsh naturalist and broadcaster. Tune in for an honest, inspiring chat about his life and career, from spending 14 years working for the RSPB, to wildlife guiding and...

Hello Lodgecasters!  Tis the season to be jolly, and we have the perfect way for your to channel your ever-growing love and interest for beavers.  Beaver Trust have joined the The Big Give Christmas Challenge! It means any donations made to Beaver Trust until midday on Tuesday 7th December (ie. tomorrow!) will be *DOUBLED*! We’ve been working hard bringing beavers back to Britain, helping communities to learn and live alongside beavers again and restoring the riparian habitats along...

OK listeners - we have a confession. We're coming to the end of Season 2 of The Lodge Cast and we're only just talking about the elephant (or fish?) in the room: do beavers help or hinder fish? However, it's never too late. And good timing too, as a fascinating new piece of research has recently been published by scientist, Rob Needham, as part of his PhD with the University of Southampton. As well as being Restoration Coordinator at Beaver Trust, Rob's landmark study investigates the...

Leading up to the UN's 26th Climate Summit in Glasgow (COP26), Sophie and guest co-presenter Emma Brisdion (the producer is multi-skilled!) look up - and delve into the astonishing world of trees.  To help them on their quest to find out just why we need trees and woodland, and how they're under threat, they chat to actor, fellow podcaster, environmentalist and total tree nerd, David Oakes. Fresh off the set of an upcoming viking Netflix series, Sophie and Emma pick David's brains on why...