Conservation and Science
Episodes
134: Ocean Science with Adam Mellor
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Oceans have a profound impact on weather patterns and the planetary climate. Therefore it is essential to understand the processes that drive the ocea...
133: Blanket Bog with Roisin Grimes and Paul Sherlock
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the final CANN project episode. Today Iâm going to talk with Roisin Grimes, a Peatlands Senior Technical Officer at Ulster Wildlife and P...
132: Freshwater Lakes with Frances Lucy and Joerg Arnscheidt
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the third episode in our series dedicated to the CANN project. Our guests are Professor Frances Lucy who is Head of Department of Environmenta...
131: Lowland Raised Bogs with Simon Gray
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk all things lowland raised bog! Our guest is Simon Gray, Senior Technical Officer at Ulster Wildlife, who works on the CANN project. Simo...
130: The CANN Project with Abby McSherry
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It is my pleasure to present another series of podcasts discussing yet another cross-border environmental project. In this series, weâre going to ta...
129: In Search of One Last Song with Patrick Galbraith
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anyone who has any level of interest in wildlife is aware of the massive biodiversity crisis we are facing right now. Sometimes it is called a sixth m...
128: Rhythms of Nature with Ian Carter
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Ian Carter, naturalist, ornithologist and author, is back on the show with his new book titled Rhythms of Nature. (Previously, Ian was our ...
127: Seabird Monitoring and Tracking with Katherine Booth Jones, Daniel Johnston, Jacob Davies and Kendrew Colhoun
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second episode dedicated to the Seabird Monitoring work package at the MarPAMM Interreg project. It also concludes a six-part series in wh...
126: The Saviour Fish with Mark Weston
06 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our guest is Mark Weston, the author of âThe Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa's Greatest Lakeâ. It is always fun talking wi...
125: Seabird Survey with Stu Bearhop and Kendrew Colhoun
22 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first of two episodes dedicated to the Seabird Monitoring work package at the MarPAMM Interreg project. Today we talk about seabird survey...
124: African Wildlife Conservation with Lilian Mremi
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Those of you who either read the excellent book âCries of the Savannaâ by Sue Tidwell or listened to the podcast episode with her are familiar wit...
123: MPA Management Plans with Amie Williams, David Stevenson and PJ Maguire
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation is one of the most potent tools for protecting a wide range of marine habitats. A layman interested in marin...
122: Eco Defense Group with Nathan Edmondson
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once again I had the pleasure to talk with Nathan Edmondson, co-founder and President of Eco Defense Group, an organization that supports frontline wi...
121: Cries of the Savanna with Sue Tidwell
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, once again, weâre going to take on the subject of hunting in Africa. Our guest is Sue Tidwell, the author of a wonderful book title...
120: Seabed Habitat Mapping with Alex Callaway, Chris McGonigle, Andy Wheeler and Ger Summers
13 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once again I have the pleasure to host scientists from the MarPAMM project. This time we discuss the Seabed Habitat Mapping and Modelling work package...
119: Land and Deer Management in Scotland with Megan Rowland
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For many of you, Megan Rowland needs no introduction. She is a Deer Management Officer for NatureScot, Scotlandâs nature agency. Before that, she wo...
118: The Tick Terminator with Brian Anderson
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tick bite season is about to start both in Europe and in the US. Since we havenât spoken about this important subject for quite a while (we discusse...
117: Commercial Fishing in Alaska with Sena and Rich Wheeler
02 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week we continue with our Alaskan theme by taking a closer look at commercial fishing practices, fisheries management and the life of fishermen i...
116: Subsistence Living in Alaska with Zephyr Sincerny
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alaska is considered by many to be the last frontier. One of the few remaining places where true pristine wilderness still exists. Without a doubt, th...
115: Coexisting with Large Carnivores with John Linnell
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Large terrestrial carnivores, like wolves, bears and lynx, are the poster children for conservation and rewilding efforts. Also, they are usually righ...
114: The Implausible Rewilding with Steve Cracknell
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Itâs no exaggeration to say that this was the most anticipated book of the year for me. This shouldnât come as a surprise since, as regular listen...
113: Coastal Processes with Melanie ââBiausque and Edoardo Grottoli
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you are a sea angler or just like to walk your dog on the beach, you might have noticed how the coastline changes from year to year. Some of us who...
112: Sizzlin Arrow with Paul Rhoades
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is like a Christmas Special. Not only because of the publication date but also because we talk about a subject I have wanted to discuss f...
111: Shepherds of Wildlife with Tom Opre
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Recently Iâve noticed, and sometimes participated, in discussions about the fact that wildlife conservation can never be successful if the needs of ...
110: StreamScapes with Mark Boyden
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, once again, weâre going to talk about environmental education. Our guest is Mark Boyden, one of the founders of the Coomhola Salmon...
109: When Accidents Happen with Moose Mutlow
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
More than three years ago, I wrote a blog about safety in the outdoors. It is a very important topic for us outdoors people and I feel like I havenâ...
108: Communicating about Nature with Lucy McRobert
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Communication is by far the most important, yet most difficult, factor in any undertaking. Whether managing a business project with many stakeholders ...
107: Remarkable Creatures with Aga Grandowicz
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In many conversations on my podcast, we have observed that long-term success in nature conservation will be impossible without engaging and educating ...
106: Irish Cave Bones with Ruth Carden
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Regular listeners have already heard that this episode was coming. And weâve been planning it for a long time. Conflicting schedules, travel plans a...
105: Human, Nature with Ian Carter
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping a diary can be a useful thing. Especially if the diarist focuses on events and experiences pertaining to their area of expertise. Ian Carter, ...
104: Project MarPAMM with Naomi Wilson, Anuschka Miller and Alex Callaway
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Conservation of the marine environment is prominently featured in many episodes of my podcast. Regular listeners have heard on many occasions the opin...
103: Hunter-Gatherers with Graeme Warren
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The term hunter-gatherers is often understood as a description of primitive people who live in an idyllic state of harmony with nature. In reality how...
102: Humane Animal Treatment with Alick Simmons
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You often hear hunters and anglers boasting about humane animal treatment. Whether it is a âquick humane killâ in the case of hunters or âfish w...
101: Beak, Tooth and Claw with Mary Colwell
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last month, I wrote a review of an excellent book titled âBeak, Tooth and Claw: Living with Predators in Britainâ by Mary Colwell. At the end of t...
100: Deer, Sheep and Fires with Ashley Glover
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There are no two ways about it. Itâs a milestone episode. Episode 100. To mark the occasion we get together with environmentalist, hunter and axe th...
99: Hunting and Dog Training with Bertie Brosnan
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bertie Brosnan is known to regular listeners from episode 51. It was an immensely interesting conversation about the fight against salmon poaching in ...
98: Wildlife Special Ops with Nathan Edmondson
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Wildlife trafficking and poaching are huge problems for the conservation of the worldâs most endangered species. They also present significant socia...
97: Human-Wildlife Conflict with Amy Dickman
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Amy Dickman needs no introduction. She is well known and hugely respected in both academic and conservation communities. Sheâs a conservation bio...
96: Blue Sharks with Simon Thomas
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
My podcast listeners have heard, more than once, that there was a time when I was absolutely crazy about shark fishing. Among the many species of shar...
95: BiaĆowieĆŒa Forest with Marta Klimkiewicz
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
BiaĆowieĆŒa Forest is well known among environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts around Europe and the world. It is the largest remaining part of th...
94: African Big Game with Steve Scott
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hunting in Africa is on the bucket list of many hunters. But for many that dream might seem very distant. Almost impossible. But as you will see in th...
93: The Amazon Rainforest with Alex Lees
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Amazon rainforest is the largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest in the world. It represents over half of the remaining rainforests. It is...
92: Upland Ecology with Cathy Mayne
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In recent episodes, I have presented a whole host of views and opinions regarding rewilding, land management, and the need to change the way we coexis...
91: Beaver Trust with Chris Jones
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, once again, we are going to talk about ecological restoration and bringing back species that were extirpated from their native range....
90: The American Black Bear with Matt Gould
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This time our guest is a wildlife biologist from across the pond. Matt Gould works for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology at Ne...
89: Camera Trapping and Large Mammal Monitoring with Adam Francis Smith
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this instalment of the podcast, our guest is a young scientist, Adam Francis Smith, who lives in the Bavarian Forest National Park. Adam specialize...
88: Rewilding Scotland with Peter Cairns
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Peter Cairns is an executive director of an environmental charity Scotland: The Big Picture, the first organisation in Scotland wholly dedicated to ch...
Episode 87: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group with PĂĄdraig Whooley
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I have wanted to record an episode about the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) and their work for quite a while now. Their excellent website, with ...
Episode 86: Hunting and Nutrition with Alan Kenny
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I donât think that anyone who has at least dipped his toes in hunting needs to be convinced of how important it is to be in good physical shape to f...
Episode 85: Time nor Tide with Ben Harkin
09 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Climate change, in one way or another, is mentioned in almost every episode of my podcast. But with the exception of episode 38, which was a recorded ...
Episode 84: Basking Sharks with Natasha Phillips and Amy Garbett
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I had the pleasure to talk once again with scientists from SeaMonitor project. This time our guests were Dr Natasha Phillips and Dr A...
Episode 83: Tracking Seals with Sam L Cox
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is yet another episode of the podcast where we talk about seals. This time I hit you with a healthy dose of unbiased, evidence-based knowledge. A...
Episode 82: Outdoor Therapy with Ruth Allen
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The benefits of being outdoors for our mental health and wellbeing have been discussed on the podcast a few times already. But this is a subject that ...
Episode 81: Skates and Marine Rewilding with Patrick Collins
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Not that long ago I wrote a blog post about angling for endangered fish species, including the common skate, which is highly sought after as a trophy ...
Episode 80: Into the Wilderness with Byron Pace
30 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Byron Pace needs no introduction to most of you. He is a man of many talents: a filmmaker, photographer, writer and the host of the excellent Into The...
Episode 79: SeaMonitor and Ocean Tracking Network with Ross McGill and Fred Whoriskey
16 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On Tommyâs Outdoors, we spend a lot of time talking about fish tagging programs and various types of research supported by them. But our guests toda...
Episode 78: Human-Seal Conflict with Liam Flannery and Dan Brosnan
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 72 we started a discussion about seals in Ireland. As you might remember, at the time, I said that we wouldnât get into the subject of hu...
Episode 77: Sweden is Hunting with Andreas Michalik
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is a really delicious episode for all hunters who want to learn about hunting in Sweden. Our guest, Andreas Michalik, is a Swedish hunter and fel...
Episode 76: The True Green Alliance with Ron Thomson
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Thomson should be well known to anyone interested in wildlife management on the African continent. He started his career as a game ranger in 1959....
Episode 75: Rewilding Ireland
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is yet another episode where my guest and I take on the subject of rewilding. This time our guest is the host of the discussion platform called R...
Episode 74: Marine Recreational Angling with Diarmuid Ryan
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago Inland Fisheries Ireland distributed an online survey through social media, looking to gather information from all Irish sea anglers. ...
Episode 73: Quantitative Ecology with Kilian Murphy
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is it possible to use artificial intelligence to tell us how rewilding will look in any area where it is implemented? Is it possible to create a compu...
Episode 72: Seal Rescue Ireland with Mel Robinson
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk with Mel Robinson who is the Director Of Animal Care for Seal Rescue Ireland. While listening to this episode you can learn wh...
Episode 71: The European Federation for Hunting and Conservation with David Scallan
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The European Federation for Hunting and Conservation, or FACE for short, is an international organization that represents the interests of European hu...
Episode 70: Field Sports with Matt Cross
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As regular listeners to the podcast might remember, in episode 47 we hosted Matt Cross, a field sports journalist, writer and blogger. At that time, w...
Episode 69: The Impact of COVID-19 on Wildlife Conservation with Adam Hart
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Adam Hart was our guest on the podcast not long ago, in episode 66. However, given the unusual situation we are going through globally, we d...
Episode 68: Rewilding, Wolves and Biodiversity with PĂĄdraic Fogarty
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
PĂĄdraic is well known to my podcast listeners. He was our guest in episodes 20 and 35. And in episode 62 I talked with Patrick Cross about his work i...
Episode 67: World Sport Fishing with Richard Sheard
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I had the pleasure to fish with Richard a number of years ago on the waters of Bjagos Islands archipelago in Guinea Bissau. That is without a doubt on...
Episode 66: African Wildlife Conservation with Adam Hart
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The issue of African wildlife conservation is very complex and difficult. There are many factors that have to be considered, some of them are literall...
Episode 65: Multi-day Backpacking with Victoria Livschitz
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Victoria Livschitz is a very successful, serial tech entrepreneur in Silicon Valley whose hectic life was profoundly changed by multi-day backpacking....
Episode 64: Leave No Trace with Maura Kiely
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Leave No Trace is an outdoor ethics programme designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnersh...
Episode 63: Everything about Salmon with Thomas Cross
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our guest is one of the leading salmon scientists in the world, Professor Thomas Cross. During our immensely interesting conversation...
Episode 62: Whittled Away, a Photography Series, with Patrick Cross
22 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We have talked about the book âWhittled Away - Irelandâs Vanishing Natureâ twice already. In episode 20 our guest was the author, PĂĄdraic Fogar...
Episode 61: African Swine Fever Awareness and Prevention with Shane McAuliffe
08 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The issue of African Swine Fever, ASF for short, is important for hunters and other outdoors people who might get to travel to countries with wild boa...
Episode 60: Merry Christmas Message from Tommyâs Outdoors
25 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all listeners to Tommyâs Outdoors podcast and viewers of Tommyâs Outdoors YouTube channel. I would like ...
Episode 59: National Association of Regional Game Councils with Dan Curley
11 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago I published a series of videos on YouTube regarding the proposed EU ban on all lead in shooting and fishing. At that time, Dan Curley,...
Episode 58: Shore Fishing in Norway with Irish Angling Adventures
04 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James is a fellow blogger and vlogger on Irish Angling Adventures. We had the pleasure to host him on episode 42. The second part of that podcast was ...
Episode 57: Wild Deer Association of Ireland with David Dunne
20 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Wild Deer Association of Ireland was on my radar for a long time for all the obvious reasons. I have even had one of their long-time members, Paul...
Episode 56: New Wave Adventure Therapy with Philip Stallard
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The benefits of being outdoors for mental health and well-being have been discussed on this podcast many times. Each time you, my listeners, have expr...
Episode 55: Tick Talk Ireland with Mary Ferry Smyth
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Listeners to this podcast, outdoors people, are a high-risk group when it comes to Lyme disease, a serious bacterial infection that gets passed to hum...
Episode 54: The National Biodiversity Data Centre with Dave Wall
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us outdoors people like to keep records of the animal and fish species we have encountered, caught or seen during our time in the outdoors. To...
Episode 53: Iveragh Learning Landscapes with Eleanor Turner
27 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We had such a great time recording this episode of the podcast! I wish all the recording sessions were as relaxed, open and enjoyable as this one. I s...
Episode 52: Angling Trust with David Mitchell
12 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We have spoken many times about the need for advocacy for hunters and anglers, strong organizations that would represent sportsmenâs interests. Angl...
Episode 51: Fighting Illegal Salmon Netting with Bertie Brosnan
28 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you will hear a fascinating account about one man who has spent most of his life fighting illegal salmon netting in the rivers and es...
Episode 50: Cycle down the length of Africa with TomĂĄs Mac an t-Saoir - part 2
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second part of last weekâs podcast where we talked with TomĂĄs Mac an t-Saoir about his solo and unsupported cycle down the length of Af...
Episode 49: Cycle down the length of Africa with TomĂĄs Mac an t-Saoir
07 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You may remember TomĂĄs from one of the previous episodes of the podcast. Back then, he was a few months away from his planned, solo and unsupported, ...
Episode 48: Green Party with Pippa Hackett
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is another episode of the podcast where I talk with the representative of a political party. The goal is, as always, to dig a little deeper into ...
Episode 47: The Killing of Hen Harriers on Grouse Moors
17 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Hen harriers are ground-nesting birds of prey whose UK population is in critical condition. Unfortunately, time after time we hear that a hen harrier ...
Episode 46: Shark Trust with Ali Hood
03 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You have probably heard a dozen times that I am a semi-retired, obsessive, shark angler. So, ever since I started the podcast I wanted, one day, to ha...
Episode 45: Go Wild with Oona Tibbetts
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Stand-up paddle boarding, also known as SUP, is gaining popularity in Ireland and around the world. Sure, there are many who laugh and take shots at i...
Episode 44: eMonoRail with Kevin C. Murphy
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It has become quite common these days to hear about the negative impact of tourism on popular tourist destinations and local communities. Tourists are...
Episode 43: Sinn Féin with Toiréasa Ferris
22 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You probably look at the title of this podcast and wonder what is going on. So I feel like a little disclaimer is in order. It is far from my intentio...
Episode 42: Irish Angling Adventures with James Raymond
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is another episode of the podcast dedicated to sea angling. Our guest is James Raymond, the man behind the website Irish Angling Adventures. I ha...
Episode 41: Fish and Stay with Luke Aston
30 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the podcast is especially close to my heart as our guest is my friend and seasoned charter skipper, Luke Aston. I have spent many hour...
Episode 40: Pleistocene Megafauna with Richard Doran Sherlock
17 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the podcast is going to take you back in time to the Pleistocene epoch of the Quaternary period, an epoch often referred to as the Ice...
Episode 39: Cycling with Fiola Foley
03 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, once again, we return to the subject of cycling. Our guest, Fiola Foley, has a great deal of experience when it comes to all aspects ...
Episode 38: Time to Panic with John Gibbons
20 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In recent weeks the news and media have been filled with reports about protesters demanding action on climate change. So, in the interest of covering ...
Episode 37: Mountain Biking in South Africa with Shaun Emslie
13 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It all started on Twitter. Shaun contacted me and casually suggested that I record an episode of the podcast from South Africa. We exchanged a few mes...
Episode 36: Rebike with Paul Carroll
27 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I was introduced to Paul Carroll by one of our mutual friends. He couldnât speak highly enough about Paulâs initiative called Rebike. So, I sat do...
Episode 35: Whittled Away, Irelandâs Vanishing Nature with PĂĄdraic Fogarty
20 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today weâve got something a little bit different. Instead of a guest, I have brought you a recording of a live talk by PĂĄdraic Fogarty from Irish W...