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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trees A Crowd | 1/3 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trees_A_Crowd | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T07:42:02.888062+00:00 | kb-cron |
Trees A Crowd is a natural history podcast presented by actor & ecologist David Oakes.
== Creation and reception of the podcast == Oakes, as an environmentalist and an ambassador for the Woodland Trust and The Wildlife Trusts, started Trees A Crowd as a series of informal conversations with artists, scientists and enthusiasts. Speaking on the Dominic King show on BBC Radio Kent on 19 July 2019, David said in regards to why he started the podcast:
If we live in a world of identity politics where personality trumps any viable policy or common sense, then maybe we can use that for betterment too. So, if we can get someone who is fascinating who can take you through their life story and their idiosyncratic interests and pastimes and accidental encounters with griffins or narwhals or fantastical or factual beasts across time, then maybe we can then be seduced into fewer plastic bottles or driving your car a little less often. Each episode explores how the countryside has inspired different career trajectories. Speaking to Countryman Magazine in June 2019, Oakes said:
I decided to seek out others who, like me, have a meaningful connection with the rolling hills, misty moors, babbling brooks, and dappled woodlands of our glorious Great Britain. I wanted to discover how the countryside — and its many-legged inhabitants — inspired their careers, and how growing up within the natural world became working for the natural world. Jenny Perrone, writing for The Guardian, described the podcast as “a treat for your ears” and the Geographical Magazine praised the podcast: "In a world of high-energy, jingle-ridden podcasts and antagonistic radio shows Trees a Crowd makes for a pleasantly gentle listen. Both nostalgic and forward looking it covers some of the biggest issues facing the natural world through the medium of relaxed, informal conversation." As of 28 May 2021, Trees a Crowd is to be added to the British Library Sound Archive (formerly the National Sound Archive) for its value as part of the nation's audio and cultural heritage. And, as of August 2021, it is ranked as the #1 Nature podcast in Great Britain on Apple podcasts.
== Guest list ==
=== Series one === 25 February 2019 – Mark Frith, BAFTA-winning documentary maker and Artist 11 March 2019 – Polly Morgan, Artist and Taxidermist 25 March 2019 – David Fettes, Wildlife Photographer 8 April 2019 – Astrid Goldsmith, Animator and Model-maker 15 April 2019 – Dr Katherine Brent, amongst other things, is a morris dancer and badger saboteur. This episode was released as a thematic response to the interview with Astrid Goldsmith. 22 April 2019 – Dr Steve Etches MBE – Fossil collector 29 April 2019 – Dr Ellinor Michel, molluscan systematist and ecologist at the Natural History Museum 6 May 2019 – Dr Fay Clark, animal welfare scientist at Bristol Zoo 20 May 2019 – Dr Guy Stevens, CEO and co-founder of the Manta Trust. 3 June 2019 – The Maldives Underwater Initiative, which includes a dozen Marine Biologists based on Laamu Atoll including some that work for the Blue Marine Foundation, the Manta Trust and the Olive Ridley Project. 17 June 2019 – Bella Hardy, folk singer and songwriter. 1 July 2019 – Wolfgang Buttress and Dr Martin Bencsik, co-creators of numerous multi-sensory artworks including the bee-inspired HIVE and BEAM. 15 July 2019 – Beccy Speight, the then CEO of the Woodland Trust, now the CEO of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. 29 July 2019 – Dr Terry Gough M.V.O., Head of Estates and Gardens at Hampton Court Palace. 12 August 2019 – Dr Jess French, television presenter, veterinarian and author. 26 August 2019 – Chris Watson (part one), musician and sound recordist specialising in natural history. 9 September 2019 – Chris Watson (part two). 23 September 2019 – Tannis Davidson, curator of Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy at University College London. 7 October 2019 – Harry Barton, CEO of the Devon Wildlife Trust. 14 October 2019 – Recorded live at the 70th Cheltenham Literature Festival in partnership with the Woodland Trust, a discussion on “The Art of Trees” with Prof. Christiana Payne and Dr Angela Summerfield. 21 October 2019 – Amanda Owen, the 'Yorkshire Shepherdess'. 4 November 2019 – Sir John Lawton, Biologist, a fellow of the Royal Society, president of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and chair of the Endangered Landscapes Programme. 18 November 2019 – Dr Jo Elworthy, botanist and head of interpretation at the Eden Project, Cornwall. 2 December 2019 – Dr Richard Benwell, CEO of the Wildlife and Countryside Link 16 December 2019 – Victoria Bromley, wildlife filmmaker and documentary maker. 23 December 2019 – Joanna Lentini, wildlife photographer.