The naturethrive podcast

Jonathan Withey
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The naturethrive podcast is here to inspire and connect you with nature, while exploring practical solutions to the environmental and planetary challenges we face.Through engaging conversations with expert guests, we’ll delve into the issues affecting our world in a way that’s accessible and uplifting, not overwhelming. We’ll highlight real stories and experiences that bring hope and optimism, showcasing a wide range of current and future solutions—from large-scale initiatives to everyday actions—that can help ease eco-anxiety and drive positive change.Our guests include farmers, organisations, and solution providers who are making a difference in nature restoration, sharing their journeys and the impactful work they’re doing.Each episode will also feature three recurring questions that explore the first, best, worst, and weirdest moments in nature, giving you an authentic and personal glimpse into the experiences that shape our connection with the natural world.

  1. Episode 35: Why Nature Restoration is about People with Bruce Howard, Director of the Ecosystems Knowledge Network

    6d ago

    Episode 35: Why Nature Restoration is about People with Bruce Howard, Director of the Ecosystems Knowledge Network

    On this episode host Jonathan Withey takes a walk across Port Meadow in Oxford with Bruce Howard, head of the Ecosystems Knowledge Network (EKN), discussing Bruce’s shift from mining and pollution management to nature restoration and knowledge sharing. They explain EKN’s origins in the UK Government’s 2011 white paper, its transition to an independent charity in 2015, and its UK-wide membership of around 4,000 spanning environment professionals and other sectors. The conversation covers why language matters when discussing “nature” versus “environment,” how EKN facilitates collaboration through events, webinars, communications, and signposting, and why business is increasingly investing in nature recovery, including examples involving Aviva, Network Rail, and peatland finance. Bruce also shares first, best, and worst experiences in nature, including time in Australia, the Amazon, and Greenland. Jonathan announces a short pause in episodes while traveling in Canada. 00:00 Welcome and Episode Setup 03:49 Meet Bruce at Port Meadow 05:21 Bruce Career Turning Point 08:18 Nature Versus Environment 12:11 What EKN Does 15:28 Membership and Collaboration Tools 21:14 Business Steps Into Nature 26:40 Partnerships and People First 31:13 First Best Worst Nature Stories 41:39 Nature Finance and Carbon Codes 47:37 Wrap Up and Podcast Pause Send us Fan Mail

    50 min
  2. Episode 34: Nature is Critical Infrastructure with Lesley Wilson, Policy & Engagement Lead on Biodiversity and Natural Capital at ISEP

    Jun 1

    Episode 34: Nature is Critical Infrastructure with Lesley Wilson, Policy & Engagement Lead on Biodiversity and Natural Capital at ISEP

    In this episode host Jonathan Withey speaks with Lesley Wilson, policy and engagement lead at ISEP (formerly IEMA), about business, biodiversity, and natural capital. They discuss ISEP’s role as a global membership body, its biodiversity and natural capital network, and how member insights inform policy and consultations. Lesley explains IPBES as a science-policy platform similar to the IPCC, how its assessments inform the Convention on Biological Diversity, and why the Manchester plenary and side events were notable, including IPBES’s first business-and-biodiversity assessment. They explore ISEP’s paper “Nature is Critical Infrastructure,” linking natural capital to UK GDP and planning, and cover how companies can measure nature impacts using tools like TNFD and other frameworks, along with personal reflections on experiences in nature. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:32 Host Updates on BNG 02:49 Episode Topics Preview 04:32 Meet Lesley at ISEP 05:50 Lesley Career Journey 08:02 ISEP History and Growth 09:22 Why Membership Matters 12:28 Sustainability Roles Debate 13:49 What Is IPBES 19:18 How IPBES Links to CBD 20:44 Business Engagement at IPBES 22:47 Nature as Critical Infrastructure 25:55 Defining Natural Capital 26:50 Ecosystem Services Explained 27:30 Biodiversity Hidden Benefits 29:22 Climate Threats to Supply 31:08 Nature as Business Risk 32:12 Local Nature Action Wins 34:04 Measuring Biodiversity Impacts 36:03 Metrics Not Magic Numbers 38:47 Tools and Frameworks TNFD 40:52 First Best Worst Nature Stories 46:41 Closing Reflections and 30x30 Send us Fan Mail

    49 min
  3. Episode 33: How to Integrate Nature into Decision Making that Delivers Better Outcomes for All with Ella Moseley, Director of Ecology at Pegasus Group

    May 7

    Episode 33: How to Integrate Nature into Decision Making that Delivers Better Outcomes for All with Ella Moseley, Director of Ecology at Pegasus Group

    Jonathan Withey welcomes listeners to episode 33 featuring a conversation with Ella Moseley, Director of Ecology at Pegasus Group. Ella describes her path into ecology through a physical geography degree in the UK and Australia, the value of gaining construction-side experience, and how Pegasus brought ecology in-house to complete a multidisciplinary offer and support clients from early land appraisals through post-consent delivery. They discuss biodiversity net gain (BNG) as a way to communicate value, guide development viability, and support placemaking, alongside ecosystem services examples such as natural flood management, hedgerows for carbon and biodiversity, and re-naturalising chalk streams. Ella shares first, worst, and best nature experiences, including childhood lizard-watching, handling habitat damage incidents, and releasing a rehabilitated tamandua in Guatemala. 00:00 Welcome and Episode Setup 01:46 Attenborough and Spring Notes 03:04 Meet Ella in Soho 03:27 Ella’s Ecology Career Path 07:13 Field Trips and Early Nature 08:50 Winning Hearts on Site 11:35 What Is a Smooth Snake 12:26 Why Pegasus Went In-House 16:09 BNG as Business Language 18:55 Ecosystem Services in Action 23:32 Delivering BNG at Pegasus 30:32 BNG for Placemaking 35:34 First Nature Memories 37:48 Worst Moments and Resilience 42:00 Best Moments in the Wild 45:31 Wrap-Up and Takeaways Send us Fan Mail

    47 min
  4. Episode 32: All Roads Lead to Nature Recovery with Julia Baker, Global Submarket Lead for Biodiversity and Nature at Mott MacDonald

    Apr 22

    Episode 32: All Roads Lead to Nature Recovery with Julia Baker, Global Submarket Lead for Biodiversity and Nature at Mott MacDonald

    Jonathan is joined in central London by Julia Baker of Mott MacDonald to discuss how nature services connect biodiversity, climate resilience, carbon, and social wellbeing, arguing that nature recovery is a solution society and the economy need. The conversation focuses on biodiversity net gain (BNG), especially for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), including the government’s announcement that mandatory BNG for NSIPs will go live on 2 November 2026 and planned interim publications such as biodiversity gain statements, an updated metric user guide, and additional guidance. They explore mitigation hierarchy, stakeholder engagement, local nature recovery strategies, on-site versus off-site delivery, funding and corporate frameworks like TNFD, and Julia shares formative childhood and UK woodland experiences in nature. 00:00 Spring Garden Update 01:42 Bird Flu Reminder 02:03 Meet Julia Baker 04:06 Nature Services Big Picture 08:56 Biodiversity as a Market 13:27 TNFD and Funding Nature 18:39 BNG and NSIPs Explained 22:53 Making BNG Work Locally 28:11 Future of BNG Policy 31:16 Onsite vs Offsite Debate 33:13 First Nature Memories 38:45 Closing Thoughts Outro Send us Fan Mail

    40 min
  5. Episode 31: From Creator to Rater of Biodiversity Net Gain with David Hill CBE, Founder of Foundation for Nature

    Apr 6

    Episode 31: From Creator to Rater of Biodiversity Net Gain with David Hill CBE, Founder of Foundation for Nature

    Jonathan Withey hosts a conversation with David Hill CBE, described as a key architect of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), discussing its origin from David’s experience in environmental impact assessment, his push from biodiversity offsetting to mandated BNG, and why voluntary adoption failed. David argues onsite BNG is ineffective and advocates professional, audited offsite habitat banks, noting BNG costs about 0.6% of gross development value and warning that exemptions, environmental delivery plans, and a levy-based Nature Restoration Fund could undermine private investment and market stability. He outlines his new venture, Foundation for Nature, a ratings agency for nature restoration projects using pillars of ecological integrity, financial security, governance, and community benefits. The episode also covers career advice, policy context, and David’s best and worst nature experiences, including concern over declining curlew populations. 00:00 Podcast Welcome and Context 02:10 Finding Hope in Nature 03:13 Meet David Hill and Episode Preview 05:20 Career Beginnings in Ecology 07:38 Breaking Into the Industry Today 08:52 Skills Volunteering and Higher Study 13:27 The Origin of Biodiversity Net Gain 18:43 Politics and the Economics of Nature 22:34 How to Improve BNG Policy 23:35 No Exemptions and Real Costs 24:53 Why Environmental Delivery Plans Worry Him 28:08 Levy Risks and Nature Restoration Fund 28:27 Policy Scares Off Investors 30:37 Why The Levy Fails 32:13 Foundation For Nature Explained 35:18 Corporate Biodiversity Reporting 38:46 Ratings Pillars And Scoring 42:24 Onsite Versus Offsite BNG 45:42 First Nature Memories 47:50 Best Wildlife Encounters 49:37 Curlew Decline And Solutions 52:41 Rewilding And Shifting Baselines 55:41 Wrap Up And Reflections Send us Fan Mail

    57 min
  6. Episode 30: The Green Thread - Connecting the Dots Between Hard Hats and Habitats with Laurence Cummins, Sustainability Manager at Wates Group

    Mar 23

    Episode 30: The Green Thread - Connecting the Dots Between Hard Hats and Habitats with Laurence Cummins, Sustainability Manager at Wates Group

    On this episode Jonathan Withey chats with Laurence Cummins, Sustainability Manager at Wates Group, who describes his path from a biology degree and applied research role into leading the nature strand of Wates’ environmental strategy. They discuss drivers behind Wates’ nature work, including the Nature Based Neighbourhoods programme and research with More in Common showing cross-political support for green spaces. Laurence outlines nature tech uses such as high-resolution satellite imagery and the need for a “green thread” of accessible project information to avoid biodiversity outcomes being lost through complex delivery chains, then they close with Laurence’s early nature memories and standout experiences, including seeing dolphins in Cornwall. 00:00 Podcast Welcome Update 01:07 BNG Market Momentum 02:05 Meet Lawrence Waits 04:38 Cafe Intro HiveTrackX 05:41 Laurence's Career Journey 09:33 Waits Nature Strategy 13:48 Nature Based Neighborhoods 16:52 Green Space Business Case 19:37 Skills Capacity Challenges 22:22 Nature Tech In Planning 24:55 Policy Cuts Uncertainty 25:31 Nature Tech Adoption Gap 27:34 Project Complexity Needs Tech 30:34 Green Thread Information 33:03 People Not Just Process 34:49 Childhood Nature Memories 36:41 Nature Discomfort Moments 38:27 Awe Struck Encounters 41:24 Wrap Up Reflections Send us Fan Mail

    43 min
  7. Episode 29: Enabling a Regenerative Food System that Supports Nature Recovery with Joseph Gridley, CEO & Founder of the Soil Association Exchange

    Mar 16

    Episode 29: Enabling a Regenerative Food System that Supports Nature Recovery with Joseph Gridley, CEO & Founder of the Soil Association Exchange

    In this episode host Jonathan  speaks with Joseph Gridley, CEO and founder of Soil Association Exchange, a for-profit arm distinct from the Soil Association charity, which helps companies and about 2,200 UK farms (around 4.5% of UK agricultural land) measure and improve environmental impacts through finance, advice, and simplified access to public and private funding options like SFI and other schemes. Gridley explains the business value for partners—supply chain resilience, credible field-level data for reporting, and stronger storytelling—and shares first, worst, and best nature experiences. 00:00 Welcome and Episode Intro 00:37 Life Updates and New Baby 01:42 Nature Thrive Wins at Rankin Farm 03:05 Why Soil Association Exchange Matters 05:50 Meet Joseph in Peckham 06:23 Jonathan’s Soil Story 07:32 Joseph’s Career Journey 11:49 Launching Soil Association Exchange 13:00 How the Exchange Model Works 16:44 Stacking Public and Private Funding 19:44 Farmers, Trust, and Transition 22:55 What Brands Get in Return 24:04 Data, Reporting, and Storytelling 28:36 First Memories in Nature 31:27 Worst Nature Experience 33:45 Best Nature Experience 36:37 Wrap Up and Key Takeaways Send us Fan Mail

    38 min
  8. Episode 28: From Conservation to Restoration with Peter Dorans, Director of Business Development at Plantlife

    Mar 9

    Episode 28: From Conservation to Restoration with Peter Dorans, Director of Business Development at Plantlife

    On this episode Jonathan Withey hosts Peter Dorans, Business Development Director at the charity Plantlife. Peter shares his unconventional career path into the NGO environment sector, including roles in the civil service, New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment, 15 years at The Wildlife Trusts, and moving to Plantlife to build commercial engagement in nature restoration. Plantlife was founded by botanists to address the lack of attention on plants and fungi and focuses on species-rich grasslands and the UK’s rare temperate rainforest, working mainly through partnerships rather than a large reserve estate. Peter explains Plantlife’s role as a Defra-designated responsible body for biodiversity net gain via conservation covenants, adding legal assurance and long-term monitoring to restoration. They discuss workplace nature, wellbeing benefits, and Peter’s best and worst nature experiences. 00:00 Podcast Welcome Updates 02:23 Meet Plantlife Focus 03:41 Pete Career Journey 09:33 Plantlife Mission Habitats 14:27 Why Restore Nature 15:58 Everyday Nature Business Sites 24:12 BNG Responsible Body Explained 29:34 Cathedral Thinking Long Term 30:18 Best Worst Nature Stories 36:38 Wrap Up Listener Takeaways Send us Fan Mail

    38 min
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About

The naturethrive podcast is here to inspire and connect you with nature, while exploring practical solutions to the environmental and planetary challenges we face.Through engaging conversations with expert guests, we’ll delve into the issues affecting our world in a way that’s accessible and uplifting, not overwhelming. We’ll highlight real stories and experiences that bring hope and optimism, showcasing a wide range of current and future solutions—from large-scale initiatives to everyday actions—that can help ease eco-anxiety and drive positive change.Our guests include farmers, organisations, and solution providers who are making a difference in nature restoration, sharing their journeys and the impactful work they’re doing.Each episode will also feature three recurring questions that explore the first, best, worst, and weirdest moments in nature, giving you an authentic and personal glimpse into the experiences that shape our connection with the natural world.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Withey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The naturethrive podcast
  • Show Website
    The naturethrive podcast