E114 Esme Evans: BNG, Bureaucracy, and Bold Visions

Esme Evans returns to the Shoot Room—ecologist, estate manager, and now a vital part of the Oxygen Conservation Natural Capital team. With a background in marine biology and ecology, Esme’s journey has taken her from discovering new species in Madagascar to managing nearly 1,000 acres of complex estate land in Cornwall.

But what does it really take to balance biodiversity goals with community relationships and bureaucracy? How do you lead when conservation meets local skepticism? What challenges come with pioneering blue carbon projects in the Firth of Tay? And is the UK’s biodiversity net gain policy truly delivering on its promises—or just creating more paperwork?

Esme shares candid insights into the learning curve she’s faced, the mistakes made, and the bold plans for restoration and natural capital projects in 2025. She opens up about the realities of managing estates at scale and the passion it takes to fight biodiversity loss on the ground.

If you want to understand what natural capital looks like beyond the buzzwords—how it’s built, managed, and defended—this episode is a must-listen.

Are we ready to rethink conservation? What does success really mean in today’s world? Tune in and join the conversation.

Discover Shoot Room Sessions, the podcast that redefines conservation. What makes us stand out? It's simple – remarkable people and boundless passion.

 

Each episode introduces you to the brilliant minds leading the charge in Scaling Conservation efforts. We take you on an exhilarating journey through the world of natural capital, where innovation intersects with inspiration, and extraordinary individuals illuminate the way.

 

Whether you're deeply entrenched in the world of conservation and finance, or simply curious about the natural capital economy, Shoot Room Sessions promises to be your go-to source for inspiration and knowledge.

 

Our guest list is bursting with trailblazers eager to share their insights, but we're always excited to hear from you. Join our waitlist for a chance to be part of our remarkable journey. Email us at [email protected] to register your interest.

www.oxygenconservation.com/

All guests on this podcast have voluntarily agreed to participate, and any views, opinions, or information expressed by them are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of the podcast host or Oxygen Conservation team.

This podcast is sponsored by Knight Frank, who’s rural division offer specialist services led by a deep understanding of the business of owning estates and the rural economy, together with practical knowledge of land and estate management. Knight Frank work in partnership with landowners to create thriving, connected communities and thriving, sustainable estates where people want to live, work, visit and stay and are thinking innovatively as we move into the Natural Capital era.

 

• No. of episodes: 115
• Latest episode: 2025-07-10
• Society & Culture

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