Graeme works with Bush Heritage as Healthy Landscape Manager, SA, with a background in ecology. Ecological interests have included projects on threatened species, reintroduction, invasive and overabundant native species, remote sensing tools to improve the monitoring of arid zone vegetation in a conservation context and applied research to support conservation management.

Dr Sam Munroe is an ecologist with extensive expertise in quantifying and mapping species distributions across marine and terrestrial ecosystems, at both local and national scales. Her research incorporates a broad suite of methodologies to investigate plant and animal habitat use, including active and passive tracking, biochemical fingerprinting, stable isotope analysis, and site-level biodiversity assessments. In addition to her scientific work, Dr Munroe is an accomplished science communicator with a strong track record in public outreach, ranging from community presentations to online video content. Her current research focuses on enhancing elicitation techniques to improve understanding of ecosystem condition, with the aim to support broader applications such as large-scale ecological modelling and biodiversity forecasting.

I'm interested in the ecology, impacts, and management of species that are changing their distributions due to humans. I work on the optimization of management and surveillance for species with dynamic ranges, including for invasive pests and trees undergoing climate-induced range shifts. I’m interested in creating better forecasts of future movement patterns, and better recommendations for invasive species management at large scales.

Hannah Fraser is a post doctoral research working remotely for the University of Queensland. She is passionate about studying applied conservation problems. Currently Hannah is working on an ARC Linkage Project aimed at developing community condition metrics for Australia’s bird communities. Prior to this, she split her time between studying applied conservation problems and conducting meta-research aimed at understanding how to make the findings of ecological studies more reliable and robust.

Ellen Kilpatrick is an ecologist with a background in field-based research, ecological monitoring, and conservation practice. Ellen currently works as a Project Officer with the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), contributing to the development of the Ecological Monitoring System Australia (EMSA) protocols and the ‘Monitor’ data collection app. In her current role, Ellen trains NRM practitioners across Australia in EMSA monitoring methods and data collection using the Monitor app. She has co-authored national monitoring guidelines and conducted desktop and field-based research into threatened species recovery. Ellen has participated in long-term monitoring projects across diverse Australian ecosystems, including soil and vegetation monitoring at TERN Ecosystem Surveillance plots, migratory shore birds monitoring in the Coorong National Park and bird and small mammal surveys in Ngarkat Conservation Park. Ellen has an interest in supporting community and volunteer led conservation and sustainability projects and is passionate about sharing evidence-based conservation techniques. She hopes to make environmental conservation an accessible, enjoyable and positive experience for all.

Paul van Ruth is a science manager and researcher with a collaborative focus and extensive experience leading large-scale, multidisciplinary projects that generate impact through applications in management and policy. His research interests focus on understanding how environmental variations influence food web dynamics and shape communities from global to local scales.

Jonathan is an ecologist with a specific background in monitoring program implementation and infield experimental design. He has expertise in movement and trophic ecology as it relates to the freshwater-estuarine-marine continuum and is particularly interested in the premise of “what happens on land is reflected in the sea” . In this presentation we provide results from a collaborative team effort investigating functional links between water and landscape ecology as it relates to management and conservation planning along the Murray River.

Dr. Elisa Girola is a Project Officer at the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), University of Queensland, specializing in data curation and management. Her work focuses on the challenges of long-term large-scale environmental monitoring, and data harmonization.

Nikki is a Collections Manager with TERN’s Ecosystem Surveillance team at the University of Adelaide. Since joining TERN in 2018, she has contributed to Australia’s national ecological monitoring program through extensive fieldwork across the country, and by managing and curating environmental specimens and data collected from TERN’s nationwide plot network. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation, Nikki brings a strong foundation in ecological science to the role. Her responsibilities also include maintaining field equipment and vehicles, providing logistical support to field teams operating across diverse Australian ecosystems, and co-managing TERN’s award-winning volunteer program. Outside of her core responsibilities, Nikki has a strong interest in field-based ecological research and particularly enjoys working with native flora, reptiles, and birds. She is committed to science communication and values opportunities to collaborate with professionals across the environmental sector, as well as to engage with the broader community to promote awareness and understanding of ecological science.

Cassandra Malley is a Team Lead at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, with a strong background in geospatial and environmental sciences. She leads a team that utilises spatial data and information to improve data capture, undertake analysis for national reporting, conservation prioritisation and natural disaster response, and create decision-support tools.