Trees A Crowd

David Oakes

Ever wondered what happens when you fill a cello with bees? Or how robins have successfully colonised the outer-reaches of our universe? Or why the world is destined to be populated purely by female turtles? This podcast celebrates nature and the stories of those who care deeply for it. Join artist, actor and Woodland Trust & Wildlife Trusts ambassador David Oakes, for a series of informal, relaxed conversations with artists, scientists, creatives and environmentalists as they celebrate the beauty of the natural world and how it inspires us as human beings. All episodes available at: https://www.treesacrowd.fm/

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150 episodes
Updated May 12

Episodes150

Newest first

May 12 · 1 hr 5 min
Painted Dogs of Hwange: Where the Wild Pack Runs
A day in the life of Painted Dog Conservation, Zimbabwe. David heads out into the bush in search of Painted Dogs and the snares that kill them.
March 17 · 1 hr 21 min
The Executive Branch: Beccy Speight (RSPB), Darren Moorcroft (Woodland Trust) and Craig Bennett (The Wildlife Trusts)
In conversation with the Chief Execs of the RSPB, the Woodland Trust and The Wildlife Trusts - Beccy Speight, Darren Moorcroft and Craig Bennett
March 3 · 32 min
Rakan Zahawi: Giant ambitions at the Charles Darwin Foundation
Rakan Zahawi explains how the Floreana Project is driving island-wide restoration — from invasive species eradication to the return of giant tortoises.
February 24 · 36 min
Prof. Carlos Mena: Trust the Locals, Trust the Science, Protect the Galápagos
Professor Carlos Mena reveals how “fortress conservation,” local science, and support for the local community will shape the future of the Galápagos.
February 17 · 55 min
Prof. Diana Pazmiño: Rays, Research and the Real Guardians of the Galápagos
Marine biologist Diana Pazmiño explains how conservation genetics, community ocean access, and smarter tourism can protect the Galápagos (and its sharks and rays!)
Dec 9, 2025 · 34 min
Abraham Joffe: The Secret Trade in Polar Bears (or, “How to Save an Animal Everyone Thinks Is Already Protected!”)
When the world assumes Polar Bears are protected, who’s left to fight for them? David talks with an Australian documentary filmmaker who's trying to do just that.
Dec 8, 2025 · 31 min
Iris Ho: Primates, Policy, and the Power of CITES
A conservation conversation from the CITES COP in Samarkand, where a self-confessed “CITES nerd” reveals how primate sanctuaries, trade treaties and tiny policy tweaks can transform the fate of wildlife.
Nov 20, 2025 · 18 min
Elephant in the Room: Wildlife Trust of India’s Rapid Response to Grounded Humans & Uprooted Wanderers
What happens when wild animals are forced from their traditional habitats into states that have never before had to co-exist with them?
Nov 18, 2025 · 30 min
Dr Bhaskar Choudhury: The Floodplain Guardians and the Elephants of Kaziranga
In the shadow of the Brahmaputra, veterinarian Dr Bhaskar Choudhury leads India’s most ambitious wildlife rehabilitation project — where orphaned elephants, rescued rhinos, and injured leopards find their second chance at life.
Oct 21, 2025 · 40 min
"Her Deepness" Dr Sylvia Earle & Dr Tessa Hempson: Protect the Oceans Like Your Life Depends Upon It... (Because It Does!)
David meets up with the scientific minds behind Mission Blue, hears their hopes of saving our oceans, and blushes terribly because he is meeting one of his real life heroes!
Jul 1, 2025 · 10 min
More M.G. Leonard: Further Furry Tales from the Riverbank
In preparation for a new tale from the Extended Literary Universe of Kenneth Grahame... PORTLY THE OTTER!
Sep 10, 2024 · 1 hr
M G Leonard: Storytelling and the power of Beetles! “Elytra Literature” from Shakespeare to Starship Troopers.
A walk through Kenneth Grahame's Wild Woods, and along Ratty and Moley's Towpath, with the Doyenne of Contemporary Children's Nature Fiction
Aug 13, 2024 · 48 min
Dr Hannah Trayford & Rachel Bigsby: The State of the Badger, with the Badger Trust
How Brock elicits both bliss and bile, and how the Badger Trust hopes to end the cull with science.
Jul 9, 2024 · 52 min
Matthew Oates: A Paean to the Purple Emperor. One Man’s Passion-filled Past Devoted to Great British Butterflies
One Man’s Passion-filled Past Devoted to Great British Butterflies
Jun 18, 2024 · 34 min
Tim Kendall & Fiona Mathews (PART TWO): Eye spy an eco-engineer! Deep in the Forest of Dean in search of the contentious Wild Boar...
Three Go Adventuring in the Forest of Dean (aka “You cannot walk a metre without seeing a Wild Boar!”)
Jun 11, 2024 · 45 min
Fiona Mathews & Tim Kendall: Wild Mammals are far from 'Boar-ing'
Professor Fiona Mathews and Professor Tim Kendall - wife and husband - talk about the wild mammals of Britain and the stories behind their award-nominated book “Black Ops and Beaver Bombing: Adventures with Britain’s Wild Animals”.
May 14, 2024 · 1 hr
Rob Stoneman: Resurrecting Rainforests, Protecting Peat and Constructing Conservation Kingdoms along our Coastlines
Rob Stoneman, Director of Landscape Recovery at the Wildlife Trusts, wanted to make lots of money in the oil industry… and then he found peat!
Apr 9, 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
The Horstmann Trust: Vultures in the Valleys!
David heads to Carmarthenshire to meet Adam, Holly and the c.70 vultures that call the Welsh Valleys their home!
Mar 12, 2024 · 55 min
Andy & Peter Holden: A Filial History of Nest Building
David heads to the Tate St Ives to meet the Father and Son team muddling the minds of Artists and Naturalists
Feb 13, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min
Dr David Hetherington: Reintroducing the Lynx lynx lynx to our Cairngorms (a cat so enigmatic that they named it thrice!)
David meets David to discuss a cat so enigmatic that they named it thrice; the Lynx lynx lynx!