Wildlife Matters Podcast

Welcome to Wildlife Matters, Dorset Wildlife Trust's podcast

Hear from our expert staff, trustees, volunteers and special guests about our work to protect Dorset's wildlife and wild places. And find out what you can do to make space for nature in your life and help wildlife where you live. Whether you're out on a walk, cleaning the kitchen or sat on a train, Wildlife Matters brings the wonderful wildlife and wild places in Dorset to you.

All the podcasts are available via your usual podcast provider including Apple, Spotify and Stitcher - just search Dorset Wildlife Trust. Alternatively, you can start listening straight away by clicking on the episode you want to listen to below. Do check back as more will be coming online soon.

In March 2024, Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired 827 acres of land at Lyscombe, north-east of Dorchester. It's the biggest land acquisition in Dorset Wildlife Trust's history and represents an incredible opportunity to make space for nature. So  In this podcast, Steve Jones, Wilder Landscapes Officer and Lyscombe ranger, Ben Atkinson discuss why Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired this site, how it will make more space for nature and what happens next.

With Thanks to Steve Jones and Ben Atkinson 

Production: Darren Barton, Jay Productions

It's three years since Dorset Wildlife Trust acquired the 420-acre site at Wild Woodbury, just outside Bere Regis in Dorset. In that time, the incredible Wild Woodbury community rewilding project has seen a remarkable uplift in biodiversity and a transformation of the landscape. Find out about what's been happening on the site and what has been achieved so far. 

With Thanks to Jack Clarke and Daisy Meadowcroft

Production: Darren Barton, Jay Productions

Meet the Dorset Wildlife Trust rangers who manage the northern part of Brownsea island for wildlife in partnership with the National Trust and engage with visitors. For its size, Brownsea is one of the most biodiverse sites in England with a species list of 4,900 in total and over 300 bird species recorded. Find out about the birds which make Brownsea Lagoon their home, how Dorset Wildlife Trust manages the area to help wildlife thrive, and what makes the island such a special place for wildlife and people.

With Thanks to Jonathan Owen and Nicki Tutton 

Production: Darren Barton, Jay Productions

Join Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Managers, Luke and Neil, as they discuss why nature reserves are important and how they provide a sanctuary for wildlife. Find out about the conservation work carried out by our dedicated staff and volunteers to maintain and enhance the habitat to enable so many species to thrive. 

Dorset’s wildlife depends on our nature reserves. If you enjoy listening to this podcast, please donate to the Nature Reserves Fund - your donation will directly enhance and expand habitats for Dorset's most vulnerable wildlife species. 

With Thanks to Luke Johns and Neil Gibson

Production: Darren Barton, Jay Productions

The Urban Green project aimed to empower local people to improve their green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife. Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Communities Officer, Anona Dawson talks to Tessa Nesbit, the rector of St Peter’s Church in Hamworthy to share the story of the transformation of the Bluebell Community Woodland at St Michael’s Church, Hamworthy. Their conversation gives an insight into the project’s incredible impact on this beautiful woodland, its wildlife and the community of neighbours, volunteers and parishioners.

With Thanks to Anona Dawson, Tessa Nesbit 

Production: Dani Wilson

What is the power of peat?

Peatland is such an important and amazing habitat - it can store carbon, help to tackle climate change, reduce flooding and provides the right conditions for a variety of wildlife. Join Tilly Hudspith, master's student at Exeter University in conversation with Grace Hervé, project manager for the Dorset Peat Partnership about the environmental impact and significance of this collaborative peat project happening right here in Dorset.

With Thanks to Grace Hervé, Tilly Hudspith 

Production: Dani Wilson

Allowing nature to take the lead is the ethos underpinning the rewilding project at Wild Woodbury. Reversing the system of deep ditches built to drain the land was a key part of the vision to rewet the land to create habitat for wildlife and to slow the flow to reduce flood risk - find out how and why Dorset Wildlife Trust has renaturalised the headwaters of the River Sherford across the land and the difference it has made for wildlife and people.

With Thanks to Rob Farrington, Seb Haggett

Production: Dani Wilson

An engaging and entertaining conversation between Dorset Wildlife Trust’s President, Dr George McGavin and Assistant Warden, James Cartwright. The two of them talk career paths, the importance of slowing down on a walk, a day in the life of a reserve warden, the role of nature reserves, and exchange views on verge cutting, seed banks, forest bathing and the perennial question of the importance of ivy and its effect on trees.

With Thanks Dr George McGavin and James Cartwright

Producer: Dani Wilson

In this episode we join Marine Awareness Officer, Julie Hatcher and award-winning videographer Doug Anderson as they chat about his remarkable career as one of the world’s top underwater cameramen. Doug shares some of the highs and lows of his fascinating career which spans more than 20 years as well as sharing his views on the damage he has witnessed to our seabeds and marine wildlife. You can read more about Doug’s extensive portfolio of work and awards here.

Dorset Wildlife Trust have launched an urgent appeal for you to support  

If we don’t act now, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050. 

Can you imagine a sea so full of plastic that every fish and every seabird has plastic in its stomach? A world where there is more plastic in the sea than fish?  If we don't act now, this could become reality for Dorset's coast and marine wildlife.  

Donate to our urgent appeal and you will be supporting work to stop plastic destroying our seas and the wonderful wildlife living there. Your donation could provide equipment to help remove deadly litter from our coast, or fund essential camera equipment to monitor the effects of pollution on seals and more wildlife.  

Your donation will help our seas survive, and our marine wildlife thrive.  

SAVE OUR WILD SEAS 

With Thanks to Julie Hatcher, Doug Anderson and Hazel Ormrod 

Producer: Dani Wilson 

Join chief executive Brian Bleese as he talks with Hazel from the Wildlife Matters team about our pioneering re-wilding project in Bere Regis. We also join the team as they welcome staff and children from Bere Regis Primary School on site as part of a long term community project. 

With Thanks to Brian Bleese, Hazel Ormrod, Rob Farrington, Seb Haggett, the children and staff of Bere Regis Primary School. 

Production: Dani Wilson

As ecosystem engineers, beavers can change a landscape like no other wild animal. Join Steve Oliver and Jack from our Wildlife Matters team as they talk about the significance of this exciting project, underway in Dorset.

With Thanks to Steve Oliver and Jack Clarke

Production: Dani Wilson

Taking place on the first Sunday of May, International Dawn Chorus Day is the worldwide celebration of nature's greatest symphony. This year we want to bring the dulcet tones of Dorset's diverse birds to you. Sit back and immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant sounds of birdsong from the Dorset Beaver Project site and reconnect with nature.

With Thanks to Stephen Oliver. 

Production: Jack Clarke 

Join us as we hear from Daisy Meadowcroft and Jim White as they chat about the history of Kingcombe and what makes it such a special place.

With special thanks to Daisy Meadowcroft, Jim White and Hazel Ormrod

Production: Dani Wilson

BatChat - produced by Bat Conservation Trust

The Bechstein's of Bracketts: Join Dorset Wildlife Trust's Living Landscapes Ecologist, Steve Masters, as he spends the day with the Bat Conservation Trust and the Vincent Wildlife Trust as they undertake a monthly inspection of the bat boxes at Bracketts Coppice nature reserve and discuss why woodlands are such an important place for wildlife. 

If you've enjoyed listening to our podcasts and learning about the special work of Dorset Wildlife Trust, then you can donate to the projects below. Your support is greatly appreciated, and any donation you make will contribute towards important conservation work in Dorset - and allow us to create more podcasts for you. Thank you!