Ecology Academy Podcast

#11 - Making beautiful homes for nature; interview with Faye Clifton, from Green & Blue design company

Born in Cornwall in 2005, fellow B Corp, Green & Blue, are leading the way in designing beautiful, stylish products, that help wildlife.

Here we talk to Faye Clifton, Director, about her passion for this innovative company and how to plan, build and manage beautiful housing and gardens that support the environment.

Recorded 24 November 2021

#10 Career Changing - interview with Wildwood Ecologists Ian Weller and David Withington

Richard Dodd talks to two members of the Wildwood team, Ian Weller and David Withington, whom have both completely changed to a new career in ecology.  They discuss their respective journeys, driving forces and experience to date.   

#09 Ecosystems, biodiversity net gain and tango dancing - interview with Tom Butterworth, Technical Director for Biodiversity at WSP

Richard interviews Tom Butterworth, who is the Technical Director for Biodiversity, leading the work on Biodiversity Net Gain for WSP, a leading global environmental engineering company.

#08 - 30 years of CIEEM - interview with Sally Hayns, Chief Executive

Sally Hayns, Chief Executive at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) talks about why this professional body was established, what it has achieved over the last 30 years and why Sally has no plans to step down anytime soon.

Our conversation includes their career framework document, mentor scheme, protecting the title of 'ecologist' and diversity and inclusion.

Recorded on 01 September 2021 by Richard Dodd.

#07 What makes a great Senior Ecologist - Ivi Szaboova, Principal Ecologist at Wildwood Ecology

During this 'fireside chat' with Ivi Szaboova, Principal Ecologist at Wildwood Ecology, we discuss the role of a senior member of the ecology team - skills, qualities, traits and behaviours, as well as how Ivi and her team have coped since March 2020 when Covid-19 sent us into the first lockdown.

Ivi's journey to ecology is both inspiration and inspiring. Her takeaway messages include; finding a mentor and being a mentor to others, not compromising on your own values and starting your career as a generalist and specialise later once you have found your 'calling'.

Interviewed by Richard Dodd on 02 September 2021, the podcast also includes the hybrid work place, exploitation of early career ecologists and how to take time off.

Connect with Ivi via her LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/IviSzaboovaLinkedIn 

#06 Every site matters - interview with Marcus Kohler of MKA Ecology

MKA Ecology works in many areas, from large scale restoration and rewilding projects to working with local councils on their site management. Their main work is at the interface of development and sustainability, undertaking a range of projects and always under the mantra that 'every site matters'. 

Recorded 10 May 2021.

#05 Building brand and culture - interview with Rob Oates of Arbtech

Podcast interview with Rob Oates, Director and El Capitan of Arbtech Ecological and Arboricultural Consultancy.

Website: https://arbtech.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertoatesdotcom/ 

Recorded 02 October, 2020.

#04 Making the case for a career as an ecological contractor and Biodiversity Net Gain - interview with Julia Baker of Balfour Beatty

Interview with Julia Baker, Biodiversity Technical Specialist at Balfour Beatty; one of the major infrastructure contractors in the UK.

Julia has designed and delivered Biodiversity Net Gain for a variety of projects including large and small scale, rural and urban. Julia is the leading author of the UK’s Good Practice Principles on Biodiversity Net Gain and runs professional training on Biodiversity metrics. She is also a Visiting Researcher at the University of Oxford.

#03 From graduate to ecologist - with Jake Jones

Interview with Jake Jones, who discusses his early career journey as a graduate from Cardiff University to gaining a permanent full time position with Wardell Armstrong in Cardiff during a global pandemic. The challenges and opportunities. Mindset and skillset developed along the way.

Recorded 09 October 2020. Interview with Richard Dodd.

#02 Welcome to the Ecology Academy Podcast

Richard Dodd introduces the podcast and what you can expect from the next couple of months as we delve into the wonderful world of ecology. Send your podcast suggestions to hello@ecologyacademy.co.uk