In Your Nature
The In Your Nature Podcast brings you conversations about birds & wildlife, wild places, the work of BirdWatch Ireland and wildlife conservationists. The podcast features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland with regular expert guests. BirdWatch Ireland is Ireland's largest independent conservation organisation. Episodes are released in seasons (three per year) with six episodes in each, dropping weekly (Monday mornings) in spring, summer, and autumn. Topics discussed vary, with birds and wider biodiversity at the heart of it all, each episode finishes with the "Bird of the Week" feature in homage to this wonderful group of animals. To give feedback, suggest topics or ask a question you can email us at info@birdwatchireland.ie .
The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage - Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) and the Heritage Council.
The series is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.
In Your Nature
In Your Nature Ep 29 - Minister Pippa Hackett on Land Use Policy
In this episode we speak to Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity - Pippa Hackett.
For context, Pippa Hackett rapidly ascended the political strata in Ireland. An organic farmer, Pippa quickly became the Green Party Agricultural Spokesperson after joining the party, she then secured a council seat in Offaly (the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael heartland). Following that she was nominated to The Senate which was immediately followed by securing her ministerial position at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Our interview with Minister Hackett focuses on various national policy topics including; Forestry Policy, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Agriculture and Climate Action which don't often serve birds and biodiversity well.
Nominated by the minister herself, we look at the woodland specialist, the Jay for our Bird of the Week.
In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ciarán O'Connor.
For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.