Tree Amble

Series 2 Episode 1 - Alan Crawford Ancient Woodland Specialist

Episode 1 of our second series sees Pete up in the Cairngorms with Alan Crawford underneath an amazing granny pine within a very old patch of woodland. The views out from under the tree include mountains, gorgeous old woodlands and streams. It is truly beautiful.
Alan talks about his mental health and wellbeing and how he finds peace and calm in old woods and with veteran trees. He is very knowledgeable about such places and his love of them comes across.

Tree Amble Scottish Rainforest Special

Rainforest / Scotland / Temperate / Networking / Ecology 
The second of two "Tree Amble Specials" this episode saw us heading to Scotland for a meeting of partner organisations and individuals working to save Scotland's Rainforest. 
Yes! Scotland has rainforest, and very special rainforest at that. The soft wet fringes of the west coast have just the tight conditions for rainforests to form with an amazing variety of mosses, lichens, bugs and beasts. It is highly fragmented and threatened ... but a lifeline is emerging as local people and groups with bigger organisations like Woodland Trust Scotland and RSPB come together to think and act in a coordinated way. 
Have a listen to some very special people working together to save something of immense significance for nature in Scotland. Bear in mind also that England Wales and Ireland (check out Eoghan Daltun's book - An Irish Atlantic Rainforest) also have remnants of gorgeous biodiverse rainforest. 
 

Episode 10 - Kingsdale Head

Rewilding / Upland Farming / Native Breeds / Riggit Galloway / Pea Restoration / Slowing the Flow 
In this episode Tree Amble's Pete visits Kingsdale Head, a 1500 acre / 608 ha upland farm and natural regeneration project in the Yorkshire Dales. Owners Catherine Bryan and Tim Yetman discuss the challenging landscape and their ambitious plans to restore peatbogs as well as increase biodiversity and create a mosaic of habitats using native breed cattle to stimulate natural function. 
The project is focussed on extensive peatland restoration, rewetting the area so the site can store more carbon, water and ultimately support widespread natural regeneration. Kingsdale has a site manager who looks after the cattle and has become an excellent dry stone waller. 
Kingsdale Head is the final episode of Series One of Tree Amble. We have a couple of specials - Carbon Calling (out now) and Saving Scotland's Rainforest (coming soon!) before we commence Series Two in October!!

Tree Amble Special Carbon Calling

Carbon / Farming / Soils / Water / Nature / Nature friendly farming 
Carbon Calling is an awesome gathering of farmers in Cumbria, created and lead by farmers, talking about regenerative agriculture. 2023 was the second year of this conference hosted by Tim and Emma on their farm at Kirby Thore. About 200 folks talking positively about changing farming practice to save costs, deliver good food, manage soils, bring back nature and enjoy farming.
Today's episode is a brings together many of the voices at the conference.

Episode 9 - Fidelity Weston

In this episode, Fidelity Weston shows Pete around Romshed Organic Farm in Kent, which she has managed for 40 years with a focus on restoring nature. With a network of woodland, hedges and species-rich meadows the 80ha Romshed Farm supports wildlife and biodiversity as part of a successful farming system.
Fidelity is Honorary Vice President at Pasture for Life which works for sustainability, health and welfare standards through grass-fed meat farming. Grazing animals on 100% pasture brings positive impacts for biodiversity and carbon, human health and wellbeing, and animal health and welfare.
Pasture for Life works on the ground, every day, to restore ecosystems, implement positive change in our food and farming systems, and demonstrate the benefits of 100% pasture fed animals. 

Episode 8 - Paul Arkle

Pete meets with Paul Arkle, a self employed advisor who works with farmers and landowners on agri-environment schemes in Cumbria. Paul's business is called Cumbria Farm Environment Partnership. 
Pete and Paul have worked together on many schemes in the last 18 years and discuss the changes in farming over that time. Has there been a shift towards working with nature and more awareness of the impacts of poor practice on wildlife and soil health?
With wide-ranging experience in the agri-environment schemes now available, Paul also offers insight into how these are working (or not working) for farmers and landowners.

Episode 7 - Lee Schofield

Pete catches up with Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell, at RSPB Haweswater where Lee leads a team managing an amazing complex of habitats from wetland to woodland from fields with sheep grazing to upland fells with native breed cattle. 
Lee discusses the fascinating flora, fauna and fungi within the nature reserve, and the methods used by his team to support this important and thriving habitat.
The pair also reflect on the difficulties facing upland farms, plus how diversification and simple changes can offer a huge benefit to farming businesses and wildlife.

Episode 6 - Jack Spees at Ribble Rivers Trust

As CEO of Ribble Rivers Trust, Jack leads a team of folks working to improve the River Ribble in Lancashire and all its tributaries, for both people and wildlife. He is immensely inspiring and hard working.  
Pete and Jack discuss the key threats to our rivers and their wildlife - from water quality and water flow to water temperature and river bank erosion. Jack explains how he works with farmers around the Ribble catchment to support and manage habitat on their land to improve the river, while often benefitting their business and livestock.
Jack and Pete visit a small feeder stream and chat about the resident freshwater invertebrates, revealing the importance of this high quality river habitat.