Nature Fix

Explorer and broadcaster Levison Wood is taking us deep into the UK’s ancient temperate rainforest to uncover the secret stories of trees.   In this month’s Nature Fix Levison tells host Jo Dyson how his military training and thirst for adventure led him to a career in extreme environments, from walking the length of the River Nile, to exploring the Amazon Rainforest and trekking the Himalayas.   But there’s nowhere quite like home and on this journey we’re taking a summer hike through the lush oak forests of Hembury and Holne Woods in Dartmoor National Park.   We explore the stories from Celtic lore held in these centuries-old woods and reflect on the amazing environmental and health benefits of trees.   Explore the ancient wonder of trees in this woodland adventure.      Levison Wood’s book The Great Tree Story is out now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Tree-Story-Forests-Shaped/dp/1856755614   [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories. Inspired by nature and designed to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life. And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes. Get ready for your journey outdoors https://www.craghoppers.com/     Presenters: Jo Dyson and Claire Hickinbotham Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound Design: Nikki Ruck  Contributor: Levison Wood   Tips for your Nature Fix    Find out more about Levison Wood’s adventures, books and TV shows and follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/levison.wood/?hl=en   Explore Hembury and Holne Woods in Devon, looked after by the National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/fingle-bridge/things-to-do-at-hembury-and-holne-woods    Discover more amazing trails in Dartmoor National Park including Wistman’s Wood National Nature Reserve   https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/places/wistmans-wood   Follow us on your favourite podcast app or on Instagram @wildtalesnt   If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a Nature Fix idea you’re like to hear, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk  

Come on a fascinating queer ecology walk with ecologist Connor Butler as he shares his joy at flipping logs for fun and challenging perceptions or what’s considered natural in nature.      Connor takes host Claire Hickinbotham around Osterley Park in the heart of west London, where he explains why wildlife is undeniably queer.      From trees that change sex to the humble woodlouse that only gives birth to females you’ll come away with a whole new take on your next walk.    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.      Inspired by nature and designed to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.      And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.  Get ready for your journey outdoors atcraghoppers.com/national-trust     Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham   Producers: Marnie Woodmeade and Claire Hickinbotham  Sound Design: Nikki Ruck   Tips for your Nature Fix  You can read more about Connor on his website connorbutler.co.uk, and check out his walks in the Upcoming Events section. 

Join us as we go on a rockpool safari on the Isle of Wight with marine biologist Theo Vickers, to hear how he took a childhood hobby and turned it into a career.  While many of his friends left the island to find jobs, Theo knew his heart was on the beach, and now he’s sharing his passion for underwater life with visitors and islanders.  He takes Claire Hickinbotham on one of his rock pool safaris at Compton Bay.  [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.  Inspired by nature anddesigned to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.  And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.  Get ready for your journey outdoors at https://www.craghoppers.com/national-trust/  Producer/Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham Editor/Sound Design: Nikki Ruck  Tips for your nature fix   We went out on one of Theo’s Rockpool Safaris at Compton Bay and Downs | Isle of Wight | National Trust  As we discovered, rock pooling isn’t just for kids, but it is one of our 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾  Explore a rock pool │50 things to do | National Trust  If you’re not on the Isle of Wight you can get a boat across for a day trip, or you could stay a little longer  Holiday cottages on the Isle of Wight | National Trust    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story idea you'd love to hear, contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk 

Join a walk to a lake in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) to hear how Ranger Emma Kolano-Rogers made the brave decision to step away from a career she’d trained for at university but was causing her anxiety. A few years later she’s knee deep in mud, falling over in bogs and learning how to snot rocket, and she’s happier than ever.  She takes host Claire Hickinbotham to find the ‘Lady of the Lake’ and shares some Welsh folklore tales on the short but steep walk. For the Welsh transcript of this episode please click here. Or copy this link: https://audioboom.com/posts/8735669-taith-chwedlau-a-rhaeadrau-cymru [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.  Inspired by nature anddesigned to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.  And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.  Get ready for your journey outdoors at www.craghoppers.com/national-trust    Producer/Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham  Editor/Sound Design: Nikki Ruck Tips for your Nature Fix Claire met Emma at Llyn y Fan Fach Car Park - Google Maps and the walk followed a track up to the lake.  There was one tight spot past a locked gate that makes this walk unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies.  And if you fancy a little bit of what Emma’s getting, have a look at this, Walking in nature for wellbeing | National Trust, or this National Trust Jobs :: Countryside    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk 

Struggling to get your Nature Fix? We got you.  Join host Claire Hickinbotham on monthly adventures with people whose lives have been changed by the outdoors.  Each month, you’ll get a new uplifting story that takes you out into the fresh air and give you ideas on how to get a dose of the great outdoors.  Come and stargaze in the city, explore top walks for your wellbeing, spot wildlife in a cemetery, and take strolls steeped in folklore.  Wherever you are and however much time you have, you’ll come away with ideas on how to get your own Nature Fix.   Launching 29 May, you'll get a new Nature Fix every month. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. 

In the fifth and final episode of this series we’re at Gibson Mill in Yorkshire, the National Trust’s first place to be run entirely off grid. We get a glimpse of what a sustainable future might look like, and learn just what it takes to be 100% renewable.

On the fourth leg of our journey we’re at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. We learn how a hi-tech 21st century heating system is using an ancient practice to sustainably cater for some of Felbrigg’s energy needs.

This time were at Blickling Estate in Norfolk, where Lucie learns how a Victoria swearer is has help the property cut it’s water usage and how a lost First Nation language is being preserved by the power stored in a lake.

In this episode we visit Bodnant Garden in North Wales, which is known for its stunning natural beauty and towering champion trees. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll discover that this garden is hiding some hi-tech horticulture.

In this episode we explore a house which could be described as the world’s first smart home. The Northumberland residence of British engineer William Armstrong, has been lit by hydro power for more than 100 years. With our drive to generate 50% of the Trust’s energy from renewable sources by 2021, we look at lessons from the past that may help power our our sustainable future.

This January, in this new podcast from the National Trust, we embark on a 750-mile journey across our properties to investigate if lessons and technology from our past may help us achieve our sustainable future.