In Conservation...

A Sparkling in the Chalk Stream with Ruth

Over 80% of the world's chalk streams are right here in the UK, and they are under increasing pressure, especially in Cambridgeshire. Water for Wildlife Officer Ruth Hawksley gives us the lowdown on makes a chalk stream so beautiful, why monitoring river flies can help give them the best chance of recovery, and what we're doing as a Trust to look after these special habitats. We hear from volunteers learning to be the eyes and ears for their local rivers, and why rivers need a whole host of people, projects and organisations to work together for their survival.

A Wild Start in Life with Debbie

Giving children access to nature and wild spaces in their early years—and beyond—is vitally important, and, unfortunately, not something that can be taken for granted in our busy and modern lives. We chat to Debbie McKenzie, Communities & Education Manager at Paxton Pits Environmental Education Centre, about just how crucial it is. And, in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the centre, we also hear from other people involved about what it is that makes this place, and its people so special.

Women in Conservation with Hilary

From hellcats to belligerence to sheer determination: Dr Hilary Allison, Chair of Trustees for the Wildlife Trust BCN, introduces us to some of the brilliant women she's come across in her extensive research on the subject of women in conservation. All of them have done great, and varied, things for the conservation movement, but their roles have often been downplayed, forgotten, or simply written off over the course of history—and even in some contemporary contexts, too. This episode celebrates International Women's Day on 8 March 2026, and we discuss some of the barriers that women in conservation still face today, and how we might overcome them—as well as why diversity of all kinds is vital to any thriving organisation.

Episode 14: Changing Climate, Changing Wildlife with Brian

In the last of the current series of podcasts, join Chief Exec of the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants Brian Eversham as he discusses how wildlife, and the Wildlife Trust, has fared over the last year (and more) - and what challenges the climate crisis is posing. Plus, as a naturalist and ecologist, find out what wildlife he is enjoying the most at the moment, and how he manages to stay positive in the face of what can sometimes feel like relentlessly bad news for our wildlife and our planet. 

Episode 13: Nature and Mental Health with the Young People's Forum

From four very different perspectives, we hear about how nature has helped members of our Young People's Forum with their own mental health challenges, and how important it is for young people in general to have access to nature. It's a moving and eye-opening episode, and we are so grateful to Kaitlyn, Anidunnu, Charlie and Harvey for their openness and honesty in sharing their stories.

Episode 12: Bats About Bats with Gwen

This episode is all about bats. Senior Monitoring and Research Officer Gwen Hitchcock knows all about these miraculous mammals through her work recording them, and we find out what it is the Wildlife Trust does do to keep tabs on them - and what amazing creatures they really are - whilst scouting for sites for monitoring them at Strawberry Hill. Find out what links jazz hands, wet slaps and inbuilt ear defenders... hint: it's bats. Amazing!

Episode 11: Wilding Communities with Matt

Find out how we're getting communities involved with wildlife and wild places in Luton with our Communities and Education Manager Matt Sutcliffe. We explore the principles of keeping young people interested and engaged through some of their most difficult teenage years of educational and social change, and discuss just how important it is that people have access to nature and green spaces. Join us to delve deeper into some of our most challenging and rewarding work.

Episode 10: Wildlife of the Great Fen with Henry

Join host Sophie Baker as she chats to Monitoring & Research Officer at the Great Fen, Henry Stanier, about the wildlife that can be found colonising, and recolonising, our huge wetland restoration project in Cambridgeshire. There are dragons galore - of the amphibious and invertebrate variety - and a whole host of other species, many of which are regularly monitored by our dedicated team.

Episode 9: When to Mow a Meadow with Becky

Cutting back our glorious meadows full of wildflowers in summer often looks brutal. Join podcast host Sophie Baker on a tour of Trumpington Meadows in Cambridge with Senior Ranger Rebecca Green and find out why we do it, how we determine when to do it - and what amazing wildlife you can find at a meadow near you this summer, before or after the hay cut.

Episode 8: The Wonders of Ancient Woodland with Matt

Senior Reserves Manager Matt Hamilton takes podcast host Sophie Baker on a tour of Wistow Wood, an ancient woodland of the Fen Edge in Cambridgeshire full of weird and wonderful coppice stools, the problems of ash dieback and a lot of innovation and experimentation for how best to ensure the resilience of these irreplaceable habitats.