Ecology Academy Podcast

#21 - One Degree of Separation - an interview with Rachel Smith and Nina Baranduin from Nottingham Trent University

Richard Dodd interviews two students (Rachel Smith and Nina Baranduin) who have just completed their second year Ecology and Conservation degree course at Nottingham Trent University.

During the interview we discuss their individual reasons and decision to go to university, their experience of studying under Covid-19 restrictions, placement year opportunities and life after studies.

Richard met with students whilst delivering a six-week career accelerator programme at Nottingham Trent University between May and July 2022. Students participating on the course were either completing their second or final year at NTU.

#20 - How NOT to quit your job: what ecologists and their employers should consider to help them stay or retain great people

How NOT to quit your job: what you should consider before you leave and what managers should consider helping you stay. 

 

Quitting is hard, but for many of us we will do it at least once as part of our career journey. But how do you do it? There is no real guidebook or company policy or procedures, and there are few people you could talk with to discuss how to quit.

In this month's podcast Richard draws upon his 30+ years of experience, both as an employee and employer, to give an honest opinion of what an employee should consider before quitting and what employers should be doing to retain great people.

Employees should consider using their voice, examine their loyalty and explore alternatives; and employers must look at keeping extraordinary talent through open, honest, and frequent communication and support. 

What are your thoughts and experiences?

#19 - Fungi, zombies and the apocalypse - interview with Emma Williams

Recorded in March 2022, Richard gets to go outside and records the passionate voice of Emma Williams, the mycological advocate.

During the interview Emma introduces us to a few species we found during our time out in a damp woodland near Caerphilly, South Wales, but more importantly about why we should take fungi seriously. We get to talk about the lack of mycological surveys in planning and development surveys for ecology, why fungi matter, why we should not be burning brash and also why zombie fungi are so cool!

Contact Emma via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-williams-962124197/?originalSubdomain=uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/coalspoilfungi?lang=en-GB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coalspoilfungi/

 

 

#18 - Personal Protected Species Survey Licences: The LOWDOWN

Richard Dodd hosts a panel discussion between UK protected species licence holders including:

• Ash Harris - Principal Ecologist / Director at Ecological Services Ltd (Torfaen)
• Grace Dooley - Head of Ecology at Environment Systems Ltd (Ceredigion)
• Tilly Tilbrook - Director at Integrated Ecological Solutions Ltd. (Bristol)
• Sarah Parkin - Ecologist at SOP Ecology and Caseworker at Scottish Natural Heritage (Dumfies & Galloway)
• Josh Courtley - Ecologist with Arbtech (Warwickshire)
• Josh Styles - Ecologist with Atkins and volunteer at Chester Zoo (Cheshire)
• Emma Scotney - Ecologist with South West Lakes Trust (Devon)
• Sue Searle - Ecology Training UK (Devon)
• Claire Munn - Head of Ecology for David Archer Associates (East Sussex)

Take away messages:

It's difficult to get a protected species licence for surveys, as there are issues finding the right learning environments: so, variety is the spice of life and you may need to consider working towards a licence as 'on the job' training, but supplement with formal and informal training (self-learning, courses, and also mentorships) and of course volunteering. Collaborate.

Do not seek out the licence as the goal, but seek out species survey competency instead! Just because you have a licence does not make you a competent ecologist. Gain the skills and experience you need and the rest should fall in place. Develop the right mindset before you commence your journey.

The current survey licensing system is different for each devolved country. There should be consistency across the SNCO's as animals and plants do not understand borders, yet a highly competent ecologist in Wales or Scotland may not 'tick all the boxes' when it comes to applying for a personal licence in England. Make sure you know what is required before applying (is it one or two references; how much evidence do you need to provide and in what format).

Companies should support their employees in obtaining licences - it makes commercial sense, so they need to get on board and give employees time off for learning and to gain experience in addition to 'on the job' training. 

Do not underestimate the value of being an Accredited Agent - it could be a gateway to get your own personal licence, but it may also make commercial sense for some niche species.

#17 - Beer, Biodiversity and B Corps - interview with Greg Pilley of Stroud Brewery

#BehindtheB

To celebrate B Corp month Richard gets to discuss many of his passions including beer, biodiversity and, of course, businesses as a force for good.

Take away messages include why choosing to buy from and work with B Corps is good for you and the planet and how Stroud Brewery have invested so heavily into brewing organically which benefits biodiversity and people.

Greg gets to showcase soils, sustainability and how to drink responsibly farmed beer.

To find out more about the good work that Stroud Brewery does, visit their website (https://stroudbrewery.co.uk/) or better still, visit their awesome brewery and tap room when you're next visiting glorious Gloucestershire and get fresh beer on draught.

Every March, B Lab and the global B Corp Community join together to celebrate what it means to be a B Corp. In 2022, B Corps will be inviting everyone 'Behind the B' to uncover what makes them better businesses. 

What does it mean to be a B Corp? How are B Corps making business a force for good? These are some of the questions we’ll be exploring as the B Corp Community joins together to celebrate, educate, and raise awareness about the impact and activities behind the certification. Sign up to their newsletter here: https://bcorporation.uk/b-corp-month/#newsletter 

 

 

 

#16 -For the LOVE of trees - interview with Neil Davies of TR33

Richard interviews Neil Davies, Consultancy Manager with TR33 Limited, an environmental company that provides full tree, grounds and estate maintenance services.

Neil is passionate about trees and woodland and their function in both the built and natural environment. Drawing on 25 years in the industry, his aim is to provide pragmatic expert advice to the highest quality. He’s keen on sharing knowledge and inspiring younger folk about the joys of nature as seen from his many LinkedIn posts and YouTube videos!

Take away messages:

• You don't need a degree to become an arborist; be logical in your approach to work
• Be open to feedback and don't take it too personally; treat negative feedback as an opportunity to learn about being better tomorrow than you are today
• Prepare and plan for appraisals and make sure they are two-way; make sure you're honest in telling your line manager or boss where they could improve

 

Website: https://www.tr33.co.uk/

YouTube (Tr33 Life): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7sQ1XHsmUQGbPWKUEYEuGA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tr33_environments/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-davies-a4540b69/

 

 

#15 -GOOD habits to make positive change in 2022

A Happy New Year to you all. In this first episode of 2022 Richard Dodd talks about how identifying good and bad habits can help you achieve more in 2022. 

 

Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/atomic-habits-the-life-changing-million-copy-1-bestseller/9781847941831?aid=2999 

 

The Myth of Multitasking by Dave Crenshaw: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-myth-of-multitasking/9781642505054?aid=2999

 

Find out more about our wonderful training academy: https://training.ecologyacademy.co.uk/ 

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#14 GOAL, set and match! End of season podcast with Richard Dodd

The final episode of 2021 and Richard reflects back on the guests we have chatted with over the past six months! In this episode Richard talks about the top 5 downloads of the year and what to expect in 2022, before offering up advice on how to achieve your one BIG goal for 2022.

Thank you to you all for listening - this podcast really is for you, so if you want to help shape it's direction or collaborate in anyway, then please do get in touch with richard@ecologyacademy.co.uk with your own insights and suggestions to make this show even better!

#13 - The Dog Detectors - interview with Rachael Flavell, Paws for Conservation

Having discovered a passion and fascination for the world of dogs and detection in her previous role as a dog handler and trainer at a leading international detection dog company, Rachael Flavell embarked on a new journey to focus primarily on conservation and the use of dogs to assist in ecological surveys and to help fight wildlife crime. Paws For Conservation was founded by Rachael in June 2020.

Paws For Conservation now has multiple, highly experienced fully trained conservation dogs, all of which have been hugely successful within the field having participated in hundreds of surveys throughout the UK. Listen to her incredible story in talking to Richard Dodd.

Recorded 26 November 2021

Contact Rachel directly from her website, https://pawsforconservation.co.uk/ 

#12 Botanists, plant STD‘s and pond ooze - interview with Joshua Styles, Botanical Specialist and Science Communicator

Joshua is a pioneering young ecologist and science communicator with a background in botany & conservation, and a 1st class degree in BSc Ecology. Now venturing into the world of entertainment and running his own YouTube channel, in addition to appearing on well-known shows such as BBC Springwatch, the ONE Show, BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News, and Atlas Obscura, Joshua Styles is someone every aspiring ecologist should be following.