In this episode of Searching for a Greener Room, Curly Steve sits down with Rai Lewis, co-founder of Plant One Cornwall, to explore the urgent need to restore Cornwall’s lost woodlands and how communities are turning hope into action.

Over 70% of England and Wales’ ancient woodlands have been lost or damaged, threatening biodiversity and vital habitats. Rai shares the story behind Plant One Cornwall and explains why planting the right trees in the right places matters more than numbers. We discuss genetic diversity, pressures on land use in Britain, and common misconceptions about woodland creation.

The conversation also touches on the challenge of balancing biodiversity with carbon targets and offers five practical tips anyone can start today, from collecting rainwater to reducing meat consumption.

If you’re curious about how woodland restoration connects to climate action and community resilience, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more inspiring stories or visit plantonecornwall.com to learn more.

Curly Steve and Ben Marshall discuss what it really takes to rebuild our lobster populations, why these creatures are vital to healthy seas, and the surprising challenges that come with keeping our oceans in balance. Ben, who once ran music venues before retraining as a marine biologist, now leads production at the National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall, where he works on the frontline of marine conservation.

In this episode, you’ll hear about the extraordinary life cycle of lobsters, the threats they face from pollution and overfishing, and the hatchery’s work to give these animals a fighting chance. Ben shares his journey from rock and roll to marine science, explains how fishermen and conservationists can work together, and reveals some mind-blowing facts about lobsters – including their unusual biology and potential longevity.

The conversation is packed with practical takeaways, from simple daily choices that support ocean health, to wider reflections on sustainability, food miles, and why small actions really matter. Whether you’re passionate about marine life, curious about conservation, or just love a good story of transformation, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

For more inspiring conversations, subscribe to Searching for a Greener Room on your favourite platform, and visit searchingforagreenerroom.com to explore the project.

The Chat The Guest: Lizzi Larbalestier Ocean Advocate, Blue Health Coach, Seal Rescuer, and Water Whisperer

The Chat Tapping Into Ocean Superpowers

Childhood by the Sea Lizzi recalls her upbringing on the Cornish coast, where rockpools, dunes, and butterflies sparked her first connections with nature. Freedom to explore, often with little supervision, rooted her deep love of wild spaces and an early awareness of environmental care.

From Corporate World to Coastline Her career began in retail and people development, but she was always drawn back to the ocean. Alongside corporate work, she trained in NLP, executive coaching, and animal rescue, building a toolkit of skills to explore behaviour, change, and communication.

Creating a Blue Health Practice In 2009 Lizzi established her coaching practice in Cornwall. Over time, the ocean became central to her work, shifting her focus from performance outcomes to nature-centred transformation. Blue Health coaching was born: an approach that blends science, story, and embodied wisdom.

One Hat: Living Blue Health For Lizzi, there is no division between personal and professional. Whether rescuing seals, leading beach cleans, or teaching yoga, it all falls under one hat: Blue Health. Her philosophy centres on reciprocity, recognising that humans are part of nature, not separate from it.

The Power of Water Through concepts like “embodied water” and the eco-attention wave, Lizzi explains how water shapes every living system. From our cells to our seas, dissolving the boundary between self and nature opens the way for clarity, compassion, and wiser choices.

Breath, Poetry, and Awe Breathing connects our inner and outer worlds, anchoring us in presence. Poetry and cadence stir emotions and deepen connection, while awe in nature expands our perspective and nurtures prosocial behaviour. Together, these tools dissolve stress and invite wonder.

Seals, Walruses, and Hope Lizzi shares powerful stories from marine rescue, including her time with Wally the wandering walrus. These encounters reveal both the fragility and resilience of nature. Despite climate challenges, she finds hope in shared struggles, collective action, and the reminder that we are the wave.

Top Achievable Tips

• Learn about the ocean – we understand what we are taught, we love what we know, and we protect what we love

• Breathe – connect your inner world with the outer world, and question the ripple effect

• Mini beach clean or street clean – do this as a “beautiful act” rather than a social media post, and make it a habit

• Dial up your plant-based meals – choose seasonal foods and avoid ultra-processed substitutes

• Question your investments – check what your pension or energy supplier is funding and make a switch if needed

Evidence

• The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework – Research article by Stephen Kaplan

• Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behaviour – Research article by Paul K. Piff

• The Emotional and Rewarding Aspects of Poetry Reading – Research article by Eugen Wassiliwizky

• Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do – Book by Wallace J. Nichols

• mBraining: Using Your Multiple Brains to Do Cool Stuff – Book by Grant Soosalu and Marvin Oka

What One Thing Can We Do Today to Make a Better Tomorrow? Take yourself to water in any form and remember that this water has been here since the dawn of time and will be here long after us. Ask: how might acknowledging deep time and nature’s rights change the way I make decisions?

Contact Details Website: www.lizzilarbalestier.com Instagram: @lizzilarbalestier LinkedIn: lizzi-larbalestier