<p>What if restoring nature also meant restoring communities, livelihoods and long-term economic resilience?</p><p>In the third episode of The Purpose Pioneers, the new podcast series from Positive News, we meet Steve Micklewright, CEO of Trees for Life, one of the UK’s most ambitious nature restoration charities.</p><p>Trees for Life works at scale to rewild the Scottish Highlands, regenerating the ancient Caledonian Forest and repairing ecosystems damaged by centuries of human activity. </p><p>Under Steve’s leadership, the organisation shows that environmental regeneration, social impact and viable economic models do not have to compete. When designed well, they can reinforce one another.</p><p>In this conversation with Positive News’ Sarah LaBrecque, Steve shares his personal journey into conservation, from a childhood shaped by time spent outdoors to leading international environmental campaigns, and ultimately choosing a hopeful, solutions-focused path through rewilding.</p><p>Together, they explore three defining moments that shaped Steve’s sense of purpose, and how those experiences helped move his thinking beyond idealism and into practical, long-term action. Steve explains what rewilding really means, and why it is as much about re-peopling landscapes as restoring nature.</p><p>He discusses how purpose-driven organisations can create jobs, support rural economies and strengthen communities, while enabling the return of keystone species such as beavers and wild cattle. These animals, he argues, work with natural processes to help repair damaged ecosystems.</p><p>The episode also looks at how Trees for Life blends charitable funding, ethical finance and social enterprise to make large-scale impact financially sustainable. Steve reflects on moments of unexpected joy, from coming face to face with a wolf in the Italian Dolomites to witnessing beavers return to Glen Affric after an absence of 400 years, and shares his vision for a future Scotland where forests, wildlife and people exist in balance.</p><p><br></p><p>--</p><p>The Purpose Pioneers is a podcast series from Positive News about the journey of turning ideals into action. </p><p>Producer: Simon Elliott, Crowdfindervideo</p><p>Host and story editor: Sarah LaBrecque</p><p>Series editor: Tom Pattinson</p><p>Production lead: Pauline Milligan</p><p>Executive producer: Sean Wood</p><p><br></p><p>The Purpose Pioneers is sponsored by Triodos Bank, a bank for people and organisations who want to create positive impact.</p>