What happens when a thousand-year-old estate stops farming and lets nature take the lead? I'm joined by Randal Plunkett, who transformed his ancestral home at Dunsany Nature Reserve into a bold rewilding experiment — removing livestock and embracing a hands-off, vegan approach to restoration. We explore how his model challenges mainstream ideas about deer, biodiversity, woodland succession and the economics of conservation in a time of climate crisis.

Benny's Insect of the Week: The Spotted Thintail

Links

Dunsany Estate

Wild Thing: Finding hope and a home in the natural world by Randal Plunkett

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If you liked this week's episode you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

Episode 334: Food Farming Revolutionary

Grower Joshua Sparkes joins Sarah to discuss regenerative, soil-centred farming and how rethinking our approach to food production can restore ecosystems rather than deplete them. From building soil health to designing resilient growing systems, this episode explores practical ways to work with natural processes instead of against them. A companion to Randal's conversation about stepping back, restoring balance, and redefining our role within the landscape.

Episode 355: Turn Up The Wild

Dr Linda Birkin joins Sarah to champion wildlife-friendly gardening and the science behind creating spaces that genuinely support insects, birds and wider biodiversity. Sharing research-led insights and practical action, this episode focuses on building ecological richness from the ground up. It complements the Dunsany discussion, reinforcing the idea that restoring balance — whether in gardens or entire estates — begins with allowing nature's systems to function fully.

Can modular planting reshape our cities?

In this episode, the Upper Bloom team explores how modular, plant-filled containers are bringing greenery to dense urban streets, terraces, and retail frontages. A natural follow-up to our Sloane Street episode, we discuss whether these systems enhance biodiversity, serve aesthetic goals, or simply make challenging urban spaces greener, while also diving into sustainability, plant choices, and the practical realities of keeping cities green.

Benny's Bug of the Week: Green fanged tube web spider - sponsored by Cerddwr's Herbs go to www.cerddwrshb.com and use the code BUGPODS for a listener's discount.

Cerddwr's Herbs on Facebook

Cerddwr's Herbs

Links

Upper Bloom

Please support the podcast on Patreon

And follow Roots and All:

On Instagram @rootsandallpod

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If you liked this week's episode you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

Episode 363: The High Line
I explore the story behind New York's iconic elevated park, examining how an abandoned rail line was transformed into a richly planted public space that balances design, biodiversity and heavy footfall. A compelling companion to this modular greening conversation, it highlights what's possible when ambitious planting schemes reshape dense urban environments.

Episode 369: Retail Meets Urban Nature
This episode looks at the greening of London's Sloane Street, exploring how large-scale streetscape redesign can integrate trees, planting and infrastructure to soften the urban realm. It pairs perfectly with today's discussion, offering a broader civic-scale perspective on how cities can weave nature back into commercial spaces.

What if the future of our food system is already growing wild beneath our feet? Wendy Russell and Freda Farquharson explore the power of wild edibles — from sorrel seeds and citizen science to health, biodiversity, and climate-friendly farming — and how these overlooked plants could help shape a more resilient future for people, nature, and the land.

Benny's Insect of the Week: The Australian Orange Tip Moth - sponsored by Cerddwr's Herbs go to www.cerddwrshb.com and use the code BUGPODS for a listener's discount.

Cerddwr's Herbs on Facebook

Cerddwr's Herbs

Links

The website link for becoming participants of the project

The Wild Edibles logo was designed by Gabrielle Reith

Gabrielle Reith is an artist, illustrator and maker based in Scotland – small-stories

Milestones since the project's launch on 1st May 2025:

1st seeds sent out on 7th May 2025

Over 300 packets of seeds sent or delivered by hand so that's over 15 000 seeds sent out so far!

Furthest south sent - Kent

Furthest North sent - Shetland

Please support the podcast on Patreon

And follow Roots and All:

On Instagram @rootsandallpod

On Facebook @rootsandalluk

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If you liked this week's episode with Brigit you might also enjoy these episodes from the archives:

Episode 155: Wild Food with Marlow Renton
Foraging expert Marlow Renton joins Sarah to explore the delights and responsibilities of harvesting wild food, from deepening our relationship with the land to understanding seasonal abundance and ethical foraging. A perfect companion to Wendy and Freda's conversation about wild edibles, knowledge-sharing, and reconnecting with overlooked plants in our landscapes.

Episode 349: Foraging Feasts with Flavour Fred
Chef and forager Flavour Fred shares his passion for turning wild ingredients into vibrant, accessible food, celebrating flavour, creativity, and sustainability. This episode beautifully complements the Wild Edibles project, bringing the journey full circle from growing and foraging to cooking, eating, and valuing wild food as part of everyday life.