The Missing Lynx Project: the return of lynx to England?

Seminar followed by Q&A and drinks – attend in person or join online – all welcome

Abstract: This talk explores the ecological, social, and practical feasibility of returning lynx to northern England and southern Scotland via a reintroduction in Northumberland. We will examine the broader cultural context of the lynx’s role in reversing biodiversity loss, as well as the unique challenges involved in bringing a top carnivore back to the British landscape.

Biography:  Debs is an experienced ecologist specialising in landscape-scale species reintroductions to combat biodiversity loss. As a founding trustee and Director of The Lifescape Project, she leads the charity’s nature restoration initiatives. Her career spans diverse conservation efforts, ranging from single-species projects—such as returning white-tailed eagles to Cumbria—to multi-species recovery programs involving pine martens and hazel dormice. Currently, Debs manages The Missing Lynx Project, which explores the ecological, social, and practical feasibility of reintroducing lynx to England. Notably, she led the UK’s largest-ever species reintroduction consultation, engaging face-to-face with over 10,000 people across the region and demonstrating broad public support for lynx recovery.

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and the Nature Network are interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners. The views, opinions and positions expressed within this lecture are those of the author alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery/Nature Network, or its researchers.