A Conversation with Tom Forward: Ecologist, Wildlife Guide & Educator

We’re delighted to share this interview with Tom Forward — a freelance ecologist, wildlife guide, and educator. Tom works with leading rewilding and conservation projects including Knepp Wildland, Bore Place, the Ashdown Forest, Wakehurst (Kew), and co-hosts the Ashdown Podcast. His passion lies in helping people of all ages deepen their connection to the natural world, whether through birdsong, pond dipping, or simply walking in the woods with open eyes.

What initially sparked your fascination with nature, and how has this shaped your life’s path?

I believe children have an innate curiosity about the natural world and that they feel little sense of separation from it. Then with adolescence and into adulthood other priorities and interests come to the fore and the draw of the wild world drifts into the background.

So it was for me growing up — free time roaming the woods and fields near my home, dabbling in the garden pond hunting for frogs, and of course exploring the very special Ashdown Forest had a very formative impact on me. That love of nature never faded, and the early conservation narratives of loss and extinction compelled me to dedicate my career to working with people and wildlife.

Birds clearly hold a special place in your heart. Can you recall a formative moment that deepened your connection to birds and their songs?

This is an easy question to answer. I’ll never forget a sleepless night as a child when I heard a Tawny Owl hoot through my bedroom window. Having just learnt to make hooting sounds by blowing through my cupped hands, I hooted out into the darkness and the owl replied.

I had a similar experience as an adult on the Forest with a family of Reed Buntings. I was practising bird identification by calls and tried mimicking their sound by whistling — soon enough, I had a group of these lovely birds surrounding me and looking confused.

Observing nature requires patience and presence. How do these qualities support children’s growth?

In a fast-paced world full of distractions, having frequent, unstructured immersions in the natural world allows a slowing down, a chance for observation and reflection, and even helps diffuse anxiety.

For children, these moments can foster perspective, decision-making, and wellbeing. I once guided a group through constructing solitary bee hotels. We watched with pride as Mason Bees filled the chambers with pollen, laid eggs on the mounds of pollen and then capped the cells off with clay. The following spring, we collected the pupae and watched as the next generation of bees hatched in the bright April sunshine. That was a total WOW moment!

Knepp Wildland is well-known for its rewilding project. What impact have you seen rewilding have on communities and children?

What Charlie and Issy, the owners of Knepp, do so well is tell a hopeful story where nature can recover surprisingly fast if given the space and time. Humans are narrative creatures, and as a guide at Knepp I meet adults and children who are hungry for an alternative to the daily drip feed of doom.

The stories of wildlife comebacks leave people inspired and eager to do something themselves. Even at a garden scale, we can all contribute to making a positive difference.

How does engaging with local wildlife encourage a more conscious lifestyle?

Familiarity with and understanding of the natural world invites awareness of our place within it — and of the consequences of our actions. That perspective can extend outward to global issues too.

At a time when human influence is reshaping natural cycles and processes, practicing mindful, nature-positive actions as individuals can only be a good thing.

How can parents nurture children’s curiosity about nature in a digital age?

A good photographic or illustrated nature guide by the bedside or on the living room table can spark enquiry. I’m also a big fan of the Field Studies Council fold-out ID charts, which are backpack-friendly.

Simple tools like a pond net or insect pot can bring amazing wonders up close. And a little tech can help too — I often recommend the Merlin Bird ID app for identifying bird sounds and iNaturalist for identifying plants and animals.

If there’s one single act that makes a huge difference for wildlife, it’s building a pond. Small or large, ponds attract incredible life and bring so much joy.

What’s a simple nature-based activity families can easily integrate?

You can’t beat a good walk. Repeating the same route through the year connects you with the seasons and builds familiarity — perhaps with a favourite climbing tree along the way.

Foraging deepens the experience: blackberries, rosehips, sweet chestnuts, and hazelnuts in autumn. And sometimes, just taking a path less travelled adds a spark of adventure.

How does unstructured exploration complement structured learning?

Unstructured free time is essential. It’s often preceded by boredom — “I don’t know what to do” — but if you push past that, curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving bloom. These qualities support children’s capacity to thrive in more formal, structured learning environments.

If you could share one essential piece of wisdom about nurturing a lifelong connection to nature, what would it be?

Go for a walk. Visit a park, wander a woodland, climb a big hill, follow a river, or pick up a coastal path. Make it a family thing, don’t shy away from the weather, and always take a flask of something warm for when energy dips.

Closing note

Tom’s reflections remind us that the simplest acts — walking, listening, watching — can be the most powerful for children and adults alike. By making space for nature in our everyday lives, we nurture not only wildlife but also resilience, curiosity, and joy in our families.

If you’d like to keep up with Tom’s work and adventures in the wild, you can find him on Instagram at @forward.tom