Episodes

  • 36 - Growing Dalmore Wild, Naturally

    36 - Growing Dalmore Wild, Naturally
    Jun 24 2026
    In this episode of Rewilding in Action, guest host Jon Bakos takes the mic and talks to Maureen Howard about some of the restoration activities happening at Dalmore Reserve, an urban piece of council owned land in Dunedin that’s being cared for by the community group Wild Dalmore Reserve for the last six years. What does the group do and in particular what techniques are they using to tackle the weeds there that don’t involve chemicals? Many thanks to Ribbonwood Nurseries for kindly sponsoring this episode (www.ribbonwoodnurseries.co.nz). This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz
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    27 mins
  • 35 - Nature Leading at Scale - Guiding Principles of Rewilding

    35 - Nature Leading at Scale - Guiding Principles of Rewilding
    May 28 2026
    Rewilding is catching on but do we really know what it is? Join me, Maureen Howard as I chat with Professor Steve Carver from the University of Leeds about rewilding definitions and the first two of the IUCN CEM’s five rewilding guidelines that he and his team developed. Some of the things we talk about are - What does allowing nature to lead mean? And why is it so important that rewilding happens at a large landscape scale? Many thanks to TASTE NATURE for kindly sponsoring this episode (www.tastenature.co.nz). This episode contains the song of song thrush recorded by David Darrell-Lambert at Queens Wood, Greater London, XC1132946. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/1132946. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz
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    26 mins
  • 34 - Wild Dunedin Q&A - Knepp & Hinewai

    34 - Wild Dunedin Q&A - Knepp & Hinewai
    May 14 2026
    Hugh Wilson from Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula and Matt Phelps from Knepp Rewilding in West Sussex England are put in the hot seat via Zoom to answer a Dunedin audience’s rewilding questions! Questions for Hugh include: How are pest animals such as rabbits tackled? What do you think of the Predator Free New Zealand goal? Do you support substitutes for extinct species such as moa? How are vulnerable species like rifleman doing? Questions for Matt include: Does Knepp Estate sell animals for meat? How do you mimic the predatory behaviour of wolves? Did the creeping thistle that plagued the property ever return? And for both: Are neighbours' copying what's happening at Knepp Estate and Hinewai Reserve? Rewilding in Action is hosted by Maureen Howard. Many thanks to Wild Dunedin for organising this event and to Tūhura Otago Museum for providing the venue. This episode of Rewilding in Action is kindly sponsored by TASTE NATURE (www.tastenature.co.nz). This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz
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    28 mins
  • 33 - Creating Corridors for Urban Bugs

    33 - Creating Corridors for Urban Bugs
    Apr 30 2026
    One of the foundational principles of Rewilding is to provide corridors or stepping stones across built up areas to help connect wildlife and to allow them to move. Join me, Maureen Howard in the centre of Dunedin, as I chat with my guest Jacqui Theis to out how predatory beetles and other invertebrates are colonising the George Street Planters and using them as stepping stones, and how these planters are adding to the beauty of our city and our own well being. Many thanks to Taste Nature for kindly sponsoring this episode (www.tastenature.co.nz). This episode contains the song of Tui recorded by Ken George at Orokonui Ecosanctuary: XC842514 and accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/842514. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz
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    27 mins
  • 32 - Turn your Sightings into Science with iNaturalist

    32 - Turn your Sightings into Science with iNaturalist
    Apr 16 2026
    Rewilding an ecosystem requires good ongoing monitoring. In this episode I visit Craigieburn Reserve in Dunedin with iNaturalist expert John Barkla to find out how we can improve our monitoring with iNaturalist, an easy to use citizen science platform. We’ll also get some tips on how to tell if a tree has been planted or or not. Many thanks to TASTE NATURE for sponsoring this episode (www.tastenature.co.nz) This episode contains the sounds of korimako/bellbirds at the Dunedin Botanic Gardens: recorded by Ken George, XC842744. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/842744. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz
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    27 mins
  • 31 - England's most Influential Rewilding Project; what can New Zealand learn from Knepp Estate?

    31 - England's most Influential Rewilding Project; what can New Zealand learn from Knepp Estate?
    Jan 8 2026
    How does rewilding in the UK compare with rewilding in Aotearoa? Join me, Maureen Howard, during my visit to Knepp Estate in Sussex in the south of England to visit one of the UK’s leading rewilding projects. Once an intensive farm: it is now a haven for rare species. Many thanks to my guest Matt Phelps, Knepp Estate’s Lead Ecologist (knepp.co.uk/rewilding) and to Wild Dunedin for sponsoring this episode (wilddunedin.nz). This episode contains the sounds of bill clattering by white storks at Knepp Estate: recorded by Hazel Reeves, XC921196 and accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/921196. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz
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    27 mins
  • 30 - Beavering in the Blue Mountains with Check Dams

    30 - Beavering in the Blue Mountains with Check Dams
    Dec 11 2025
    The Blue Mountain Swamps of NSW need water. However much of the water that flows into them now comes via stormwater pipes. To help protect and restore the wetlands, the council and community groups are creating leaky check dams that, together with other tools, can help restore a catchment. Join me in the Blue Mountains as I find out what a check dam is from my guest James Bevan and how much fun it is to make one! Many thanks to Wild Dunedin for supporting this episode This modified recording of Superb Lyrebird by Elisabeth Hein, XC817874 is accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/817874
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    27 mins
  • 29 - Pests and Planting: Part Two with Hugh Wilson from Hinewai Reserve

    29 - Pests and Planting: Part Two with Hugh Wilson from Hinewai Reserve
    Nov 27 2025
    The team at Hinewai Reserve look after about 1650ha of land close to Akaraoa on Banks Peninsula: 4% of which is old growth forest with the rest already naturally regenerated or regenerating to native bush. Join me, Maureen Howard, for the second part of this chat with botanist Dr Hugh Wilson, manager at Hinewai Reserve. We continue our chat about Minimum Interference Management – this time about pest animals, where planting is worthwhile and the pros and cons of volunteers. The first part of this interview can be found at at # 28 – A Way With Weeds. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz
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    25 mins