E93 Richard Benwell: Linking Land, Law, and Legacy

What does it take to drive real change for nature? In this episode, Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, shares his journey from a bird-watching childhood in Birmingham to shaping some of the UK’s most important environmental policies. Richard dives into the highs and challenges of securing legally binding targets for nature, why public money must be used for public good, and how bold incentives can transform conservation efforts. He also explores the delicate balance of building consensus across diverse stakeholders and the crucial role of regulation in protecting our natural world. If you care about the future of wildlife, policy, and the power of collective action—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.