In this episode, our host, Rob Carlye, who has created his own wildlife garden on the edge of Bestwood Country Park, is joined by garden designer Andy Callow - talking about the opportunities the nation's gardens offer for nature, the challenges of gardening sustainably and the rewards on offer when you welcome wildlife into your garden.

Andy Callow is a respected and well connected garden designer who has long championed sustainable and organic approaches. Andy is also Chair of Nottingham Organic Gardeners. 

Our Wilder Nottinghamshire Podcast host Rob's fascination with bats and his initial contact with Nottinghamshire Bat Group led to the installation of 18 bat boxes around his wildlife garden. This episode gave him a chance to find out more about these amazing adaptable animals and the varied work of the group's volunteers. 

Each month, the podcast will feature the people and projects that are taking positive action for nature across Nottinghamshire -highlighting the huge range of different ways people are supporting nature recovery and the passion for wildlife that gives hope for the future. 

In our latest episode, our host Rob Carlyle is joined by Lorna Griffiths and Michael Walker of Nottinghamshire Dormouse Group to find out more about the work of the volunteers taking the lead on boosting dormice populations in Nottinghamshire - a true conservation success story. You’ll hear about which habit gave rise to this endearing mammal’s name;  the difference between hibernation and torpor; how dormice are using a very surprising route to expand their territory. 

Lorna and Michael explain the importance of keeping wildlife records and regular monitoring and how you you can get involved - and might event help find as yet undiscovered dormice populations - and the important role played by cookies and flapjack in fueling conservation efforts! 

For further details about efforts to restore nature across Nottinghamshire visit www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/wilder-nottinghamshire

Each month, the podcast will feature the people and projects that are taking positive action for nature across Nottinghamshire -highlighting the huge range of different ways people are supporting nature recovery and the passion for wildlife that gives hope for the future. 

In this episode, you'll discover more about efforts to monitor and expand the population of hazel dormice in Nottinghamshire - a species once deemed extinct in our county. Hear the excitement as our host, Rob Carlyle, sees his first dormouse and find out the difference between a 'pinkie' and a 'chubster'! 

Our podcast team

In the spirit of the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network, the podcast is a team effort, brought to you by presenter Rob Carlyle, a long-term member of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and sustainable gardening blogger; David Heathcote, our audio editor, with decades of broadcast experience in TV and Radio – with Erin McDaid, the Trust’s Communications, Campaigns & Advocacy Lead providing a guiding hand.

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