• 29: Planning and Infrastructure Bill Update & Sustainable Farming Scheme in Wales
    Aug 7 2025

    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 webpage
    • Sustainable Farming Scheme: final proposals published ahead of launch in 2026
    • Local government and legal responsibilities to act on climate change: An LGA open consultation
    • UK Government announces ban on lead ammunition

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • 28: AI in Ecology with Dr Sam Reynolds, BNG and Planning & Infrastructure Bill Updates
    Jul 4 2025

    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 ticket
    • Briefings on the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill
    • Our dedicated Planning and Infrastructure update page
    • 2025 CIEEM Awards


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • 27: Insects, Identification & Recording with Ashleigh Whiffin, and CIEEM State of the Profession Survey
    Jun 5 2025

    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 report
    • CIEEM updates on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
    • Bird Island’s Cape Gannet Population Signals Ocean Health Recovery

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • 26: Eco-Anxiety with Kath Allen and Planning & Infrastructure Bill Update
    May 1 2025

    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 website
    • Kath Allen's 'Sustainable Hope' resource
    • CIEEM members have access to our Member Assistance Programme
    • CIEEM encourages members to engage MPs on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill Committee
    • CIEEM publishes briefing on Planning and Infrastructure Bill amendments
    • Agency could intervene to cull estate's red deer
    • Call for members’ input: responding to proposals for powers to change environmental assessment legislation in Scotland
    • Beavers thriving in new woodland home
    • Orkney curlew numbers bouncing back

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • 25: Planning and Infrastructure Bill & Scotland's Natural Environment Bill
    Apr 1 2025

    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 Bill
    • Responding to the Call for evidence on Scotland’s Natural Environment Bill
    • https://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.

    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • 24: Grasslands with Plantlife's Jo Riggall, Land & Planning in England, & Net Benefits for Biodiversity Wales
    Mar 5 2025

    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:

    • Plantlife
    • Humpback Whales bouncing back in UK waters


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • 23: Planning Reforms in England, Nature Ambitions in Wales and Small Sites Biodiversity Net Gain
    Feb 6 2025

    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 Proposals
    • CCEI report on Welsh Government's Nature Ambitions
    • Welsh Parliament news
    • BBC News Article
    • CIEEM Releases Biodiversity Net Gain for Small Sites Report
    • DRC announces plans to create world’s largest tropical forest reserve



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • 22: 2024 Environmental Policy Roundup and 2025 Predictions
    Jan 2 2025

    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 Agenda
    • We Have a New UK Government
    • Transition to Sustainable Farming Scheme delayed to 2026
    • What’s in the Autumn Budget for nature?
    • Andrew Muir named as Environment Minister for Northern Ireland
    • The Environmental Policy Forums Priorities for the Next Government
    • Nature COP16 Roundup
    • Welsh 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.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins