Ep. 035: In Business For Nature: Project Updates and Make it Wild

Written By Tom Constable

What does it take to turn a family passion into a powerful force for nature? In this episode of two halves, we start with an update about The Grange Project, including the last 6 months of physical interventions, our evolving business structure, and the latest developments at The Grange Distillery and Studio. We then move into conversation with Helen Neave, co-founder of Make it Wild, where we discuss their purpose of protecting nature across 500 acres in North Yorkshire, using carbon-offsetting and corporate partnerships to create a sustainable financial model.

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Our Guest: Helen Neave, Make it Wild:

Helen is a retired surgeon on a mission to change the planet. Alongside her husband, Christopher Neave, they turned their family passion for nature into Make it Wild. With nature reserves across North Yorkshire, they have planted over 80,000 trees, dug ponds, restored wildflower hay meadows, protected ancient woodland and created many different habitats across over 500 acres. Working in partnerships with businesses, whether through carbon-offsetting, team conservation days or natural mindfulness walks, their purpose is to protect nature.

  • Website: https://www.makeitwild.co.uk/

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-neave-42200938/

Listen out for:

[00:00:00] Chloe and Tom describe the structure of the episode, including a brief introduction to our guest, Helen from Make it Wild, and a brief summary of the landscape of the Grange Project.

[00:04:06] Chloe leads an update in numbers about the physical interventions that have occurred across the project since September 2024; including trees, brash piles, yellow rattle, the tiny forest and our market garden.  

[00:10:35] Tom moves into a conversation about the structure of the Grange Project and the decision to move from a Community Interest Company into a Limited Company and Charity.

[00:12:51] Finally, we update on the other commercial updates across the project: The Grange Distillery and the Grange Studio.

[00:15:47] Helen introduces herself and the mission and landscape of Make it Wild.

[00:22:57] Tom asks about the team at Make it Wild, including the conservation grazing team.

[00:28:37] We hear about the business model that enables Make it Wild to carry on helping nature.

[00:34:24] Chloe asks about carbon offsetting and Helen shares the basics of how this operates. 

[00:37:25] We discuss some of the ethical dilemmas of carbon offsetting, including the risk of not reducing emissions at source, focusing on carbon without considering the impact on nature or not maintaining trees for the long term.

[00:48:00] Helen tells us about their land owner partners and the opportunities of a franchise model.

[00:50:52] Tom and Chloe reflect on the interview, including their decision not to pursue carbon credits.

Tom Constable
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Ep. 034: Going Off Grid: Tiny Homes, Big Solutions