Australian environmentalist and author Natalie Anne Kyriacou joins Ben Cullen on Uncommon Sense to discuss her book Nature’s Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction. Drawing on research and interviews, Natalie blends science, storytelling and humour to explore humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world.

Natalie traces her lifelong fascination with nature back to childhood frog-chasing and backyard camping trips, explaining how curiosity evolved into a career in conservation. The book moves between heartbreaking and often absurd stories from across the globe, including wildlife rescuers working around the clock, the tiny midge responsible for pollinating chocolate, and even the strange ecological legacy of Pablo Escobar’s escaped hippos in Colombia.

Natalie also reflects on the wider forces shaping the planet’s future: from declining insect populations to growing movements recognising the legal rights of nature. While the book confronts the reality of the planet’s sixth mass extinction, Natalie highlights the power of individual and community action.

"Reconnecting with nature is the first step in protecting it."