Anne Youngman was the Bat Conservation Trust's (BCT) first Scottish Bat Officer from 2003 to 2017, & is very well known & respected within the bat community, not only in the UK, but also much further afield. This is her 4th time on Talking Bat, & on this occasion we look back on her most recent challenge (a 100km ultra-marathon). A quick reminder as to why she was doing it. It's all for charity \o/ in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support & HospiceCare North Northumberland, two amazing organisations which helped her & her family at a time when they didn't know where to turn.

Take a listen & find out how she got on, as well as what's next for the 'Creaky Old Bat'. Just Giving Page Anne’s 100k ultra marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support & HospiceCare North Northumberland

Delighted to be Talking Bat with Kelly Sheldrick (Citizen Science Program Manager - Conservation Council of Western Australia) ahead of her fundraising Christmas Island Marathon in honour of the 100 species that have gone extinct in Australia, including the Christmas Island Pipistrelle. All in all, this will help to raise awareness of biodiversity loss & the failure of policy to respond to a rapidly changing environment.

A Bat's End: The Christmas Island Pipistrelle and Extinction in Australia by John Woinarski

Remembering the Christmas Island Pipistrelle Wildlife Fundraiser - donate here

During this interview we talk with Mark Avery whose previous roles include 13 years as Conservation Director at RSPB, as well as a former chair of World Land Trust. Described these days as a blogger, writer, author & wildlife campaigner, Mark has been involved with many important discussions at the highest level relating to the conservation challenges faced in our part of the world, including books on the subject, as well as the activities of Wild Justice, an organisation he co-founded. Inglorious: Conflict in the Uplands

Mark Avery books published by Pelagic Publishing

Reflections - What Wildlife Needs and How to Provide it