TALKS & EVENTS
Since the publication of Rebirding in April 2019, whilst being neither remotely important nor famous, I have so far been invited to participate in over ninety talks, panels and other events - from Birdfair 2019 and the Grant Arms Wildlife Book Festival to giving university talks at UWE and Cambridge. As of late 2019, I am now receiving several invites for talks per week; many of them booking up to a year in advance.
Whilst I earnestly wish to attend as many as I can, I also work a 9am to 6pm working week and am writing two books, whilst attempting a normal life. As an example, travelling to Kent to speak to a small gathering of 30 people costs up to £100 in fuel, 8 hours of travel, and cannot viably work within a working week. To help those approaching me about talks, and to manage expectations, I hope the following will be useful:
Whilst I earnestly wish to attend as many as I can, I also work a 9am to 6pm working week and am writing two books, whilst attempting a normal life. As an example, travelling to Kent to speak to a small gathering of 30 people costs up to £100 in fuel, 8 hours of travel, and cannot viably work within a working week. To help those approaching me about talks, and to manage expectations, I hope the following will be useful:
- Prioritise events that will drive forwards ecosystem restoration, such as rewilding conferences and NGO seminars
- Prioritise large gatherings of younger people, my generation, who are open to new ideas on conservation
- Prioritise local events (Gloucestershire, Avon, Somerset) and focus on conservation in these areas
- Regrettably not travel more than 1 hour from Bristol to small-scale events of <50 people
- Depending on the event, I charge £100 for a 45 minute talk or £150 for a 2-hour talk but can and do make exceptions
