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In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by special guests to talk honestly about life as a parent working in the ecology sector. From career paths and fieldwork realities to flexibility, support, and shared caregiving, we explore how becoming a parent can shape professional choices - and how the sector is (slowly) changing in response. Our guests share their experiences of juggling unsociable hours and seasonal pressures, the compromises they’ve made along the way, and what workplace practices have made the biggest positive difference for their families. We also look ahead, asking what still needs to change to better support parents and carers in ecology, and what advice they’d give to those considering parenthood. Thank you to our guests: Anita Hogan CEcol CEnv MCIEEMNick Marchant MCIEEMLaura Sanderson CEcol CEnv MCIEEMHannah Williams MCIEEM Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by CIEEM's CEO, Sally Hayns, CIEEM's Vice President for Scotland, Caroline McParland, and Chair of CIEEM's Strategic Policy Panel, Ben Kite, to review the ecology and environmental management news of 2025, and look ahead to 2026. 2025 was a very busy year - the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, BNG, Scotland's Natural Environment Bill and Wales Environment Bill were all on centre stage. We also discuss what we expect to happen next with these major pieces of policy work in 2026, as well as COP26...it's looking like an equally busy year! Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we welcome Ellie Strike - Head of Regulatory Programmes - at the Office for Environmental Protection (the OEP) to talk about their report on Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). The report came out in July but the Government have just responded. We also cover the first discussion of Stage 2 amendments to the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill and the latest on England's Planning and Infrastructure Bill (as of the date of recording on 19 November). Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: OEP Report on Local Nature Recovery Strategies and their contribution toward nature recovery commitments (June 2025)Government response to the Office for Environmental Protection review of Local Nature Recovery Strategies and their role in contributing to nature recovery commitments in England (October 2025)Update on Scotland's Natural Environment BillCIEEM's Planning and Infrastructure Bill webpageEU to integrate climate education into school curriculum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we welcome our CIEEM colleagues Brian Heppenstall and Annie Robinson to talk about our Green Jobs for Nature project, which aims to encourage young people to consider pursuing a job in the environment sector. We also discuss the latest updates to the Natural Environmental Bill in Scotland and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in England. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Green Jobs for Nature websiteGreen Jobs for Nature submit a job profileGreen Careers Week FestivalWhat you should know about part 2 of Scotland's Natural Environment BillPlanning and Infrastructure Bill updatesSeven beavers released in Glen AffricBeavers released in Glen Affric 400 years after extinction in Scotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we welcome James Hicks, Associate Director at RSK Wilding and founding member of the CIEEM Ecological Restoration Special Interest Group, on the podcast to discuss the recently published Rebuilding Nature: Good Practice Principles on Ecological Restoration. We also cover the Environment Link report on the UK's progress towards protecting 30% of land, freshwater and marine areas, and our usual Planning and Infrastructure Bill updates. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Good Practice Guidance for Ecological RestorationEnvironment Link 30by30 reportPlanning and Infrastructure Bill updates Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we welcome CIEEM's CEO, Sally Hayns, and a member of CIEEM’s Strategic Policy Panel and Wales Policy Working Group, Craig Llewllyn to discuss where we are and what's happening next with England's Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We also cover the latest announcements on the Sustainable Farming Scheme in Wales, and the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, before ending on a couple of good news stories.   Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: CIEEM's Planning and Infrastructure Bill webpageSustainable Farming Scheme: final proposals published ahead of launch in 2026Local government and legal responsibilities to act on climate change: An LGA open consultationUK Government announces ban on lead ammunition Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by Dr Sam Reynolds from the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge for a fascinating, in-depth discussion on how we can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the ecology and environment sector. We also discuss the new Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) consultations and a brief update on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Book your Summer Conference ticketBriefings on the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) BillOur dedicated Planning and Infrastructure update page2025 CIEEM Awards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Nature In A Nutshell, we are joined by Ashleigh Whiffin, Curator of Entomology at National Museums Scotland, who talks to us about the importance of insects and recording. We also have CIEEM's CEO, Sally Hayns, on the pod who breaks down the key findings from our State of the Profession survey report. We also have a quick update on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and Scotland's draft Natural Environment Bill. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: CIEEM State of the Profession Survey reportCIEEM updates on the Planning and Infrastructure BillBird Island’s Cape Gannet Population Signals Ocean Health Recovery Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we chat with Kath Allen about eco-anxiety and how to manage it. We also discuss an update to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the current Land Use Framework and finally, the first use of NatureScot's compulsory deer control power. In our positive news segment, we share that a family of beavers are thriving in their new woodland home in Worcestershire, and Orkney curlew numbers are bouncing back. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Kath Allen's websiteKath Allen's 'Sustainable Hope' resourceCIEEM members have access to our Member Assistance ProgrammeCIEEM encourages members to engage MPs on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill CommitteeCIEEM publishes briefing on Planning and Infrastructure Bill amendmentsAgency could intervene to cull estate's red deerCall for members’ input: responding to proposals for powers to change environmental assessment legislation in ScotlandBeavers thriving in new woodland homeOrkney curlew numbers bouncing back Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we discuss the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in England and the Call for Evidence on Scotland's Natural Environment Bill. We also cover the Welsh Government's Good Practice Guidance for Dark Skies. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: CIEEM responds to Planning and Infrastructure BillResponding to the Call for evidence on Scotland’s Natural Environment Billhttps://www.gov.wales/stars-align-wales-leads-uk-dark-skies-protection https://www.gov.wales/dark-skies-guidance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In line with the theme of the March edition of In Practice, we speak to Jo Riggall from Plantlife about the value of grasslands and Plantlife's Grassland Strategy. We also discuss the latest updates to land and planning in England, and also Net Benefits for Nature in Wales. We also talk about species new to science being discovered in the Congo and Humpback Whales bouncing back in UK waters. Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: PlantlifeHumpback Whales bouncing back in UK waters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk about planning reforms in England, nature ambitions in Wales and Small Sites BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain). Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Addressing the Planning Reform ProposalsCCEI report on Welsh Government's Nature AmbitionsWelsh Parliament newsBBC News ArticleCIEEM Releases Biodiversity Net Gain for Small Sites ReportDRC announces plans to create world’s largest tropical forest reserve Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we share our 2024 environmental policy highlights from BNG to the new UK Government, and we also look ahead to what the ecology sector can expect in 2025. Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: Delivering the UK Government’s Nature Recovery AgendaWe Have a New UK GovernmentTransition to Sustainable Farming Scheme delayed to 2026What’s in the Autumn Budget for nature?Andrew Muir named as Environment Minister for Northern IrelandThe Environmental Policy Forums Priorities for the Next GovernmentNature COP16 RoundupWelsh Budget 2025-26: what’s in it for nature?Scotland’s budget 2025-26: what’s in it for nature?COP 29 Roundup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we speak to Penny Lewns (CIEEM's new President) and Richard Handley (CIEEM's now past President) about CIEEM's achievements over the past three years and ambitions for the next three years. We also discuss what's in the UK's Budget for nature, COP16 and COP29, the controversial £100m bat shed on the HS2 railway route and a new governing body in Northern Ireland. Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. Visit our website: https://cieem.net/ Show notes: What's in the Autumn budget for nature?COP16 roundupCOP29 roundupStalemate at COP16 has left global biodiversity progress uncertain Cost of ‘bat shed’ to protect colony near HS2 has topped £100m, chair saysNew independent panel to consider options for a NI environment protection agencyEndangered mountain trees making a comeback in Scotland, study showsWildlife Trusts buy Rothbury estate in largest land sale in England in 30 years Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we get your questions about Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) answered by Helen Fearnley who works in Defra's BNG team.   We also cover BNG in Ireland and the Nature COP or COP16 in Colombia.   Nature In A Nutshell is brought to you by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad.   Visit our website: https://cieem.net/   Show notes: CIEEM's BNG webpagePlanning portal: Application system update: Ensuring eligibility for the most used Biodiversity Net Gain exemptionsPlanning Advisory Service: BNGStatutory biodiversity metric tools and guidesCIEEM Briefing Paper: Biodiversity Net Gain in IrelandCOP16 kicks off in ColombiaTwelve sites were added to the IUCN's green list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.