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Introducing Wild Worcestershire – our new voice for nature

Avon vale landscape from Bredon Hill © Wendy Carter

Our volunteer podcast host Lee Robinson spills the beans on our new series...

Like the day, it starts with birdsong.

The dramatic kind that bursts through the hedgerows at dawn. It’s something immediate, something that offers a more natural connection. A robin calling from the hazel, the hush of leaves shifting on the breeze, bees working the last of the bramble flowers. The kind of soundtrack you only notice when you pause – when you allow yourself time to listen.

This is how the Wild Worcestershire podcast came about. Not as a big, flashy idea but as a quiet thought that naturally grew. A thought that sought to tell stories of how the hidden unfolds in our wildflower meadows, whispered through the work of the Trust’s many volunteers, carried in the hands of staff sowing the seeds of change in schools, communities and nature reserves.

A man in a blue coat is laughing at the camera as he is about to tuck into a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream

My name is Lee Robinson and I’m an audiophile and the host of our new podcast. I love how audio podcasts – much like radio – truly connect people. They have the power to bring you closer to the wild and the wonderful work of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. A podcast gives you easy access to the species we protect, the places we care for and the people behind it all.

I’m a new volunteer with the Trust. I’ve worked as a radio presenter, podcaster and traditional journalist for many years. More than anything, I’m someone who believes in the power of storytelling to connect us – to nature, to each other and to the environment around us. Over the years, I’ve made it my mission to tell important stories in ways that go well beyond traditional journalism and media. That’s why I’m passionate about podcasts – because they allow me to tell the stories that matter in ways that are exciting to listen to.

A podcast should be a journey of discovery. Each month, ours will take you somewhere new. It might be chasing bats after dark, exploring the restoration of a once-lost habitat or sharing a cup of tea with a volunteer – maybe even meeting a young person discovering a love for conservation.

Like the places we protect, a variety of approaches are needed to ensure that you, our listeners, get the best and most appropriate format. I love the idea of audio postcards that simply inform the listener. Sometimes, we don’t need full stories – just a few minutes of birdsong, the breeze brushing through a reedbed or the reassurance that good things are still happening in the world. The podcasts will be a blend of styles that will hopefully appeal to everyone.

...tell stories of how the hidden unfolds in our wildflower meadows, whispered through the work of the Trust’s many volunteers, carried in the hands of staff sowing the seeds of change in schools, communities and nature reserves...

Our podcasts won’t be about lecturing or listing. They're an invitation for you to get closer to the Trust and all the things we do. We’ll be telling the stories of the people who dig, plant, record, rescue, advocate and pay attention to the natural world.

What I love most about the Trust is that it’s full of people who care. They demonstrate this not in passing or theoretical ways but in the way they show up, week after week, to do the work that’s vital to maintain and conserve. From planting trees, checking fencing and building habitats to running events – all are small parts of a much bigger picture. The podcast will be an opportunity to find out more about the very special stories that make the Trust what it is.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve spent many hours behind the microphone recording stories that need to be heard. For me, they are uplifting and they remind me that conservation isn’t a distant mission. It’s very real and it’s happening every day. I’ve found stories in our fields and woodlands, in forgotten corners and community gardens. I’m tremendously excited to be able to share these stories with anyone who will take the time to listen.

The top of the image shows a path winding through a field under some trees. The bottom has a block of green colour and the words 'Wild Worcestershire'

So, this is what Wild Worcestershire is all about. It’s a celebration of what’s already happening and a gentle nudge to get involved or support the Trust. Whether you’re a lifelong member, a newcomer or someone who’s simply curious, I hope you’ll join us on this new podcast journey.

Our podcasts will sit on Spotify but we'll also bring you a short blog to accompany each one. Why not take us with you wherever you go? Or maybe let it play while you enjoy a cuppa. I’ll be here, hosting brilliant nature, interesting guests and stories to share from around Wild Worcestershire.

I look forward to you joining me.

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