How can we restore woodlands to maximise biodiversity? What makes conservation research genuinely useful for the people working to protect nature? And how can you build a successful career in conservation science?

Today we're speaking with Professor Kirsty Park, Professor of Conservation Science at the University of Stirling, where she's worked for nearly 30 years.

Kirsty's research focuses on understanding how human activities affect biodiversity, and finding practical solutions to help nature recover.

She's also co-lead of the fascinating WrEN Project, which uses 150 years of woodland restoration to understand what works best for biodiversity.

In this episode, we explore what makes woodland restoration successful, the challenges posed by deer overpopulation, and how scientists can work with conservation organisations to turn research into real-world impact.

We also explore Kirsty's career journey, what it takes to become a conservation scientist, the skills and experiences that matter most, and her advice for students, career switchers and aspiring academics.

Finally, we discuss the state of conservation, the importance of communicating our successes, and why there's still plenty of reason for hope.

It's a woodlands, wildlife and wisdom episode. Enjoy.

How curiosity, experience and an openness to different paths can help you build a fulfilling career in conservation, with wildlife conservationist Iris de Winter.

What does a career in conservation actually look like?

For some people, there isn't one simple answer. You might be a scientist, lecturer, conservation practitioner and nature guide - combining different roles into a career that's uniquely your own.

Today's guest is Iris de Winter, an Assistant Professor in Wildlife Conservation at Utrecht University and Director of the Apenheul Primate Conservation Trust. She's also a nature guide, leading wildlife and conservation-focused trips to places including Madagascar and Uganda.

In this episode, we explore Iris's fascinating career journey - from an early interest in marine conservation and research on green turtles, through to studying lemurs in Madagascar and ultimately shifting her focus from understanding conservation problems to helping solve them.

We also explore what Iris has learnt from teaching the next generation of conservationists, the skills and qualities she sees in successful students, and why careers don't need to follow a perfectly linear path. We discuss the importance of curiosity, cultural sensitivity, collaboration, gaining experience and building a strong reputation in what is ultimately a very small conservation world.

And we discover another fascinating conservation career path - nature guiding - including how Iris turned her love of wildlife and travel into opportunities to lead conservation-focused trips around the world.

It's a conservation science, career exploration and wildlife adventure podcast.

Enjoy.

How conservationists are helping people and predators coexist - and what a 30-year career working with big cats can teach us about saving cheetahs in the wild, with Janet Hinostroza.

They're the fastest animals on land, capable of extraordinary acceleration and perfectly adapted for speed. But cheetahs are also facing growing pressure from habitat loss, fragmented landscapes and conflict with people.

So what will it take to secure their future in the wild?

Today's guest is Janet Hinostroza, a lifelong big-cat specialist whose career has spanned more than 30 years working with wildlife, including roles at the Cincinnati Zoo and San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and who now supports the Cheetah Outreach Trust as an advisor and spokesperson.

In this episode, we explore what makes cheetahs such extraordinary animals, the threats they're facing and why coexistence with people is so central to their conservation.

Janet takes us inside the work of Cheetah Outreach Trust, where conservationists are partnering with livestock farmers, using approaches including livestock guarding dogs to reduce conflict and help farmers and predators share the same landscapes.

We also explore Janet's fascinating career journey - from being inspired by big cats as a child, through decades of working with animals in zoos, to focusing increasingly on conserving species in the wild. And she shares some valuable lessons for anyone hoping to build their own career working with wildlife.

It's a cheetahs, coexistence and conservation careers podcast.

Enjoy.