Steve Backshall Aims to Make Nature 'Cool' and 'Adventurous' for Children

Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall is focused on making nature engaging and exciting for children, rather than adopting a preachy tone. He aims to expose as many young people as possible to the natural world, believing it offers immense benefits.

Backshall's own childhood was shaped by a house filled with rescue animals, a formative experience that sparked his lifelong passion for wildlife. He recalled this period as a "crazy version" of the television sitcom The Good Life, describing it as an "absolutely incredible" upbringing.

"I feel very strongly, and I think the scientific evidence backs it up too, that there are many things in an old-fashioned childhood that were much more healthy for kids than the childhoods they have today," Backshall stated. He emphasized the significant advantages of outdoor activities, interacting with animals, and fostering a connection to nature.

Backshall is known for programs like Deadly 60, where he focuses on formidable predators such as birds of prey, sharks, crocodiles, snakes, spiders, and big cats. He believes these animals capture public fascination, regardless of an individual's general interest in wildlife. He humorously added that some viewers might even watch in the "vague hope that I might get savaged by something."

His upcoming show, Deadly Live, is scheduled for October 29 in Brighton. Backshall finds his work fulfilling when he sees "thousands and thousands of kids out there who have a passion for natural history."