E92 Matt Walpole: Balancing Nature and People

In this episode of Shoot Room Sessions, we sit down with Matt Walpole, Chief Executive of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, to explore his extraordinary career in conservation. From growing up on a smallholding in Cornwall to traveling the world and working in over 70 countries, Matt shares insights from his journey, including his PhD on nature-based tourism in Komodo National Park and his work addressing human-wildlife conflict in Africa and Asia.At the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Matt developed global biodiversity indicators, tools and assessments for UN agencies, member states and multinational corporations and led the delivery of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment, the first of its kind to document the value of nature to society. Matt also had two stints working at Fauna & Flora International, including four years as part of the leadership team overseeing FFI’s strategy and expanding its in-country field operations worldwide.Prior to joining Cornwall Wildlife Trust as Chief Executive in September 2022, Matt worked as a strategic advisor for WWF International. He has been a trustee of several conservation charities and is currently Deputy Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership.Matt discusses the challenges of balancing conservation with local economies and highlights innovative strategies like using pigs for habitat management. He reflects on leadership, team-building, and the power of storytelling in fostering community engagement.This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about conservation, leadership, and creative approaches to tackling the environmental challenges of our time.