The Lodge Cast Beaver Trust

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 the British countryside and discusses the many impacts that humans and farming, particularly in Cumbria, have had on nature and wildlife, and reflects on the things that are being done, and could potentially, be done, to create a landscape that works for everyone. 
With Lee we reflect on the lessons learnt from the previous three discussions in Series 4, and look ahead to the all-important: 'what's next?' in Britain's journey with beavers, and regenerative agriculture. 
Also coming up: the final #FactOff of the series and a special visit from marvellous Producer Emma, who will give the final scores of the series!
Need we say more? Dive on in! 
Would you like to discuss anything from this episode with our expert team? We want to hear from you: Beaver Trust. 
Want more beaver? Please subscribe and leave us a lovely little review, so we can bring the joy of beavers to more ears! 
Hosted by Sophie Pavelle and Eva Bishop. 
Produced and edited by Emma Brisdion.
 

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 nature in Britain.
We are joined by Delphine Pouget, Principal Adviser for the Species Reintroduction Programme and the 'beaver lead' at Natural England, the government’s advisory body for nature in England. 
Natural England issue the wildlife management licences that are required to move, capture or kill beavers, or to damage their homes and breeding sites in England. They also work with stakeholders and offer beaver management training and education .
Delphine gives an uplifting and fascinating insight into how Natural England are approaching beaver reintroduction, and how to finance a future which benefits both nature and people. 
Also coming up: another enlightening #FactOff challenge and Sophie sees how many famous beavers Eva knows in the QUIZ.
Need we say more? Dive on in! 
Would you like to discuss anything from this episode with our expert team? We want to hear from you: Beaver Trust. 
Want more beaver? Please subscribe and leave us a lovely little review, so we can bring the joy of beavers to more ears! 
Hosted by Sophie Pavelle and Eva Bishop. 
Produced and edited by Emma Brisdion.
 

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 Trust, the University of Exeter and Derek Gow Consultancy on the game-changing five-year study. The trial, from 2015-2020, determined that beavers could provide benefits to both nature and people if allowed to live wild in the English countryside.
Three years on, and the reality of living with beavers is a daily task. The beavers themselves can need careful management, and often a big and important consideration is working with local communities and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone is aware and informed of the various impacts.
Both Sams' offer fascinating and honest insights into the highs and lows of managing beavers, and how a well-managed, supported future alongside them is something we must expect and hope for.
Also coming up: another riveting #FactOff challenge and Eva sees how beavery Sophie really is in the QUIZ.
Need we say more? Dive on in! 
Would you like to discuss anything from this episode with our expert team? We want to hear from you: Beaver Trust. 
Want more beaver? Please subscribe and leave us a lovely little review, so we can bring the joy of beavers to more ears! 
Hosted by Sophie Pavelle and Eva Bishop. 
Produced and edited by Emma Brisdion.
 

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. Through this book and her recent work, Sarah explores the current situation farmers face in the UK, and the changes to the industry over the last few generations. Her grandfather and uncle both farmed, but she headed for life in the city as a young adult, before returning to life in the countryside to run a small family farm with her husband and two young children.
Sarah is now a leading voice for regenerative agriculture, and an inspirational representative of a new generation of farmers. She tells us how British agriculture is 'electric' at the moment, and there has never been a more exciting and essential time to explore and evolve how we work with the land.
In this fantastic conversation, we explore with Sarah the process of changing to a more restorative management of the countryside - what are the basics of regenerative farming? And how on earth can beavers fit into that busy picture?! What are the key things to consider if you're beaver curious?
Also coming up: the return of the iconic #FactOff challenge and Sophie puts Eva's farming knowledge to the test in the QUIZ.
Need we say more? Dive on in! 
Would you like to discuss anything from this episode with our expert team? We want to hear from you: Beaver Trust. 
Want more beaver? Please subscribe and leave us a lovely little review, so we can bring the joy of beavers to more ears! 
Hosted by Sophie Pavelle and Eva Bishop. 
Produced and edited by Emma Brisdion.
 

*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 power of film and photography to educate and inspire and, ultimately, to protect. 
Nina has also directed and produced Beaver Trust's upcoming documentary about river buffers On The Edge, and offers some exclusive BTS content for you to look forward to! 
Also coming up: a FINAL (rather desperate) #FactOff challenge and a winner-takes-all in the last QUIZ.
Need we say more? Dive on in! 
Are you a beaver believer? We want to hear from you: Beaver Trust. 
Want more beaver? Please subscribe and leave us a lovely little review, so we can bring the joy of beavers to more ears! 
Thank you for listening! 
Hosted by Sophie Pavelle and Eva Bishop. 
Produced and edited by Emma Brisdion.
 
 

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 shouldn't be looked at totally rationally, and is motivated in his work by the direct, emotional connection provoked by the story of hope that beavers bring. He argues that this psychological state is the key to shifting baselines and inspiring a change in mindsets, in nature restoration. 
Read Sam and Ros's fascinating paper here.
Also coming up: a  #FactOff challenge and Sophie confuses Eva and Emma in the QUIZ.
Need we say more? Dive on in! 
Are you a beaver believer? We want to hear from you: Beaver Trust. 
Want more beaver? Please subscribe and leave us a lovely little review, so we can bring the joy of beavers to more ears! 
Hosted by Sophie Pavelle and Eva Bishop. 
Produced and edited by Emma Brisdion.