E104 Tom Bloom: The Landscape in Layers

This week, we sit down with Tom Bloom, a drone surveyor and proclaimed “terrain detective” at Oxygen Conservation. With a background as a chartered mechanical engineer and years of experience leading large-scale data capture and digital twinning projects, Tom brings an unmatched perspective to the intersection of technology, land, and impact. From the cutting edge of LiDAR and photogrammetry to the hidden magic of thermal imaging, Tom reveals how drone technology is reshaping how we manage land, understand ecosystems, and measure carbon.This is more than just a conversation about drones — it's about redefining how we see the natural world. Tom shares how his journey from spreadsheets and pipelines to windswept moorlands and remote forests has changed the way he thinks about work, life, and legacy. He also opens up about the evolution of drone tech, the challenges of balancing fieldwork with wildlife protection, and how becoming a father has shifted his priorities. Whether you're a conservationist, a tech nerd, or just curious about the future of environmental monitoring, this episode will make you think differently about the land beneath your feet — and the data above it.