Episode 28: From Conservation to Restoration with Peter Dorans, Director of Business Development at Plantlife

On this episode Jonathan Withey hosts Peter Dorans, Business Development Director at the charity Plantlife. Peter shares his unconventional career path into the NGO environment sector, including roles in the civil service, New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment, 15 years at The Wildlife Trusts, and moving to Plantlife to build commercial engagement in nature restoration. Plantlife was founded by botanists to address the lack of attention on plants and fungi and focuses on species-rich grasslands and the UK’s rare temperate rainforest, working mainly through partnerships rather than a large reserve estate. Peter explains Plantlife’s role as a Defra-designated responsible body for biodiversity net gain via conservation covenants, adding legal assurance and long-term monitoring to restoration. They discuss workplace nature, wellbeing benefits, and Peter’s best and worst nature experiences.00:00 Podcast Welcome Updates02:23 Meet Plantlife Focus03:41 Pete Career Journey09:33 Plantlife Mission Habitats14:27 Why Restore Nature15:58 Everyday Nature Business Sites24:12 BNG Responsible Body Explained29:34 Cathedral Thinking Long Term30:18 Best Worst Nature Stories36:38 Wrap Up Listener TakeawaysSend us Fan Mail