The Best Time to Plant a Tree: Recent Episodes
David Speirs
David Speirs, South Australia's Minister for Environment and Water presents a podcast that explores stories and insights from some of Australia's and the world's greatest environmental leaders and doers, innovators and experts. The Best Time to Plant a Tree delves into anecdotes from people who get their hands dirty every day working to help restore, protect and enhance our environment in South Australia. People with a depth of knowledge around different aspects of environmental conservation: from landscape management to national parks, from native species across land and sea to the places and spaces that we love to visit most. Join us and be inspired as we uncover ideas and learn much more about South Australia’s precious natural environment.
My latest podcast takes listeners on a walk around Glenthorne National Park - Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, learning about the eclectic past and exciting future of this unique place. It’s a fascinating discussion with four people who have had an intimate involvement with shaping our city’s new national park, these include Andrew West, Principal Vegetation Ecologist with the Environment Department; Alan Burns, a long term member of Friends of Glenthorne; Dr Pam Smith, the preeminent voice on the European history of Glenthorne, and David Greenhough, Chair of the Glenthorne Partnership.
In this episode, I talk to Elaine Bensted, Chief Executive of Zoos SA, surrounded by wildlife, as we record in the Australian Rainforest Aviary at the heart of Adelaide Zoo. Elaine and I talk about the iconic Adelaide Zoo being one of South Australia's top tourist destinations, as well as a conservation charity driven by rewilding and looking after some of our state's most threatened species.
Have a listen to this conservation and find out more about all the great work Elaine and Zoos SA achieve.
In this episode of The Best Time to Plant a Tree, I chat with Professor Chris Daniels, Chair of Green Adelaide, Chief Executive of Koala Life and leading expert in conservation and environmental communication. In this chat we get stuck into urban ecology, greening Adelaide, koalas and what the future holds for our special city. A long podcast that's very well worth the listen!
In this episode of the Best Time to Plant a Tree, I chat with Tim Allard, the Chief Executive of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. We chat about his career, the work of AWC and explore the impressive Western River Refuge project which is helping to enable recovery and restoration of wildlife and habitat after the devastating Kangaroo Island bushfires during the summer of 2019/20. Have a listen and be inspired.
In this episode of The Best Time to Plant a Tree, I talk to Natasha Davis, CEO of environmental NGO Trees for Life. We take a deep dive into how she came to be head of the organisation, the important role trees play across our landscape and as always, look at what we can do to help our environment now. Enjoy!More information on Trees for Life can be found here: https://treesforlife.org.au/
In this inaugural episode of The Best Time to Plant a Tree, I talk to John Schutz, Chief Executive of South Australia's Department for Environment and Water about our incredible parks and open spaces. We also chat about his deep and diverse career experience and why he believes that creating a connection with nature is the key to protecting it for years to come.