Hey there, welcome back. This is Andy with the Port Prolls Almanac. In this interesting episode, we talk with ecologist Kathy Main about her work in the Scottish

Highlands, and we have some really interesting, uncomfortable conversations around what it

looks like to rewild and what humans' role is in that, and how do we transition into a more

sustainable ecology while dealing with the challenges of trying to feed people today

while we build those systems up. Take a listen, keep your mind open to this conversation,

and we look forward to the feedback you'll give us. Without any further delay, here's our conversation.

Kathy, first, can you tell me a little bit about your background in ecology?

Sure.

So I live in the Highlands of Scotland near Fort William, and I've worked actively as an ecologist on and off for about 20 years of my life, but only

really in this line for the last 10, 12 years. Before that I was in the Cairngorms, which is a

bit different and I was working specifically with the ski area and the

funicular project there and I've also had a fairly substantial chunk of my life working

in hospitality in tourism and as an outdoor instructor so kind of got a few strands in

there and what I do now which is a product of of all I've got a few strands in there.

What I do now, which is a product of all of the things,

the experiences in my life coming together,

is focusing around deer management, which is very politically topical and contentious at the moment. And hunting, which is also extremely contentious here in Scotland,

trying to take what's probably an ecologically middle of the road view, but also one that is perhaps a little bit deeper than some of the things

that are happening here in conservation terms.

So trying to increase the depth and therefore ecological soundness of any kind of policy agenda.

Yeah.

Okay.

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