What can three decades in one wild place teach us about conservation?

In this episode, we sit down with Craig Ralston - Natural England Senior Reserve Manager at Yorkshire’s Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve - to explore his remarkable 30-year journey of restoring landscapes, inspiring communities, and navigating change.

Craig shares his reflections on the importance of long-term thinking in conservation, and why reconnecting people with place is at the heart of his work.

Whether you’re just starting out or decades in, this episode offers powerful insights into what it means to hold the line for nature.

It’s a reflective, real-world, and deeply inspiring conversation.

Enjoy.

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🔖 Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

02:10 – Craig’s journey into conservation

08:30 – Three decades in the Lower Derwent Valley

18:15 – Career lessons and managing teams

35:00 – Hope, people, and place

42:10 – Craig’s advice for conservationists

🔗 Useful Links:

• Lower Derwent Valley NNR – Natural England

• Conservation Careers Courses

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🎯 Tags:

#ConservationCareers #CraigRalston #NatureRecovery #WildlifeConservation #Burnout #Rewilding #NatureRestoration #ConservationPodcast #Wetlands #ConservationJobs #ConservationSuccess #CareerSwitchers #EnvironmentPodcast