The Lodge Cast

Balancing Ecological & Cultural Capacities for Beavers in the Czech Republic - with Dr Jitka Uhlíková

We were thrilled to be able to speak with Dr Jitka Uhlíková, - a zoologist who works for the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic - the expert body of their Ministry of Environment Agency. Based at the headquarters in Prague in the division where action plans for endangered animal species and management plans for conflict species are implemented, Jitka is the coordinator of the Beaver Management Plan.

Jitka tells us, 'beavers taught me humility.' This conversation is an invaluable exploration of the scenario-led approach to beaver management, and Jitka’s experience provides much-needed insight and reassurance for us in Britain. We learn about the ‘5 Pillars’ of beaver management Jitka and her team operate within, and how mitigation decisions can make or break coexistence, and the importance of being proactive - not reactive. 

Also coming up: the #FactOff challenge continues and Eva sits in the hot seat during Sophie’s 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.

Playing Chess with Beavers: Lessons in Management from Across the Pond - with Mike Callahan

Greetings fair listeners! And welcome back to a brand new, shiny series of Beaver Trust's The Lodge Cast!

In our fifth series, join us on an international journey of discovery, where, with the help of leading experts we navigate the complexities of beaver mitigation and management - among the most topical discussions surrounding beaver restoration in Britain today. 

To kick-off Series 5 with a bang, we are joined by Mike Callahan. Based on the east coast of the United States, Mike’s career and experience is as varied as a thriving beaver wetland. A background in human medicine equipped him with the insight and bedside manner to tackle healing of a greener kind. Fast-forward several years and he is the founder of an organisation called ‘Beaver Solutions’, which specialises in effective beaver management and resolving human-beaver conflicts. He also founded the non-profit The Beaver Institute - of which he is now President.

Beavers are a native, keystone species. So what are we mitigating for? Mike’s organisations have created flow devices, learning resources, and delivered training to help professionals or communities interested in dealing with beavers when they present problems, across North America and Europe. Safe to say, speaking with Mike was a joy, and from it we have many pertinent lessons to consider when it comes to human/beaver coexistence.

Also coming up: the return of the iconic #FactOff challenge and Sophie puts Eva's crime scene 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.

 

Notes from Oakes: beavers, otters and Loch Lomond

Hello, Lodge Casters!

We interrupt our series break with a lovely little audio surprise for you.

We sent our friend, the actor, environmentalist and Trees A Crowd podcast host, David Oakes, up to RSPB Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. Meeting RSPB Site Manager, Paula Baker, David finds out how the beavers are doing six months after arrival, exploring how the landscape has changed, and what’s next for this unique beaver project in Scotland.

Tune in for the next 15 minutes to find out more! 

Would you like to discuss anything from this short-but-sweet 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!

[Keep your eyes and ears peeled...some Series 5 news on the horizon!]

This episode of The Lodge Cast was hosted by Sophie Pavelle and featured David Oakes. 

Produced and edited by Emma Brisdion.

Beavers, Farming & Beyond! with Lee Schofield

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.

 

How Do We Finance Beaver Reintroduction? with Delphine Pouget, Natural England

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.

 

The Reality of Farming Alongside Beavers - with Clinton Devon Estates

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.

 

So You’re A Farmer: Do You Beaver? with Sarah Langford

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.

 

Motherhood & Movie Making - with Nina Constable

*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.

 

 

Can a Beaver Wetland Make You Feel Better? with Sam (wise) Gandy

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.

 

Beaver Wrestling & the Power of the Pod - with Emily Knight

In the age of dual climate and biodiversity crises, endless jargon and deafening online 'noise', is science communication more important than ever to get right? You are in for a treat this week, as Sophie and Eva get down to business with 'Radio Lady-O' herself, Emily Knight.

She is responsible for incredible BBC ear food like NatureBang, Extinction Tapes for Radio 4 and the BBC Earth Podcast. She’s one of our favourite people to listen to and we are thrilled you are about to join us in chatting with her about her exploits behind the mic, and why she thinks audio is such a powerful messaging medium at the moment. 

Also coming up: a  #FactOff challenge and Emma tests Eva and Sophie's animal and literary prowess 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.