Andrew Bennett has long-standing interests in landscape ecology and conservation biology, with a focus on understanding how human land-use and landscape change affect native fauna and ecological processes. Together with colleagues and students, he has investigated the factors that enhance wildlife conservation in agricultural, urban and forested landscapes; and the effects of fire in ecosystems ranging from semi-arid mallee to dry box-ironbark and foothill forests. His career includes a PhD at the University of Melbourne, 12 years in wildlife research at the Victorian Government’s Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 18 years with Deakin University (awarded a Personal Chair in Landscape Ecology), and subsequently a joint position as Professor in Ecology at La Trobe University and Science Leadership at the Arthur Rylah Institute. Six-month study periods in Canada (Carleton University, 1989), Britain (Monks Wood, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology 2000) and USA (Harvard Forest, 2012) have been formative experiences. Currently he is an Emeritus Professor at La Trobe University, and remains actively involved in research, writing and serving on editorial boards.

Anu Singh is a forest and landscape ecologist with over a decade of experience in forest ecology and management. Anu works with Bush Heritage Australia, applying spatial data analysis, remote sensing, and ecological accounting to assess the condition and value of natural assets across large properties. Her expertise includes integrating field-based vegetation condition data with geospatial inform for restoration, policy, and reporting frameworks. Anu’s research interests centre on bridging the gap between ecological science and practical land management, with a focus on scaling up site-level observations to support decision-making at landscape and national levels.

Larissa Larissa has 7 years’ experience developing and implementing monitoring and management programs with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and in partnership with Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation in the Kimberley. She has a strong passion for conservation, ecological fieldwork, tangible management outcomes and working collaboratively. Her current role as Senior Field Ecologist involves working cross-culturally with Dambeemangaddee People to conduct biological surveys, inform land management programs, provide training and capacity building for Rangers and community engagement. Dambimangari Rangers The Dambimangari Rangers manage our Traditional land (16,040 km2) and sea (11,896 km2) Country in the Northwest Kimberley Region. The name for our people comes from Dambima meaning “homelands” and -ngari meaning “belong to”. Our Indigenous Ranger team is guided by our 10-year Healthy Country Plan, Elders and Cultural Advisors. We combine traditional knowledge with western science and modern technology to look after Country. Key programs include fire, feral animal and weed management, sea patrols, marine species monitoring, threatened species, training and skills development, carbon abatement, Indigenous knowledge transfer, cultural activities and visitor management. Since 2018, Dambimangari have worked in partnership with Australia Wildlife Conservancy on fire, feral animal and weed management and biodiversity conservation, with a focus on skills and capacity building.

Claire Hartvigsen-Power was born and raised on Peramangk land and is currently working for the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board on Narungga Country (Yorke Peninsula) as the Marna Banggara Project Ecologist. She has a background in field ecology and threatened species research, collaborating on conservation projects in a range of locations including Kangaroo Island, southern Yorke Peninsula, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, and the Murray Mallee. In her work Claire has been responsible for managing local and regional conservation programs, overseeing ex situ husbandry trials and breed-for-release projects, and coordinating conservation translocations.

My name is Dr Nicole Gallahar. As a child, I always loved animals and plants, especially spending hours looking into rock pools by the beach. I enjoyed my studies in the University of Sydney, and progressed to Honours (analysis of otoliths) and a PhD (ecology of amphipods). After that, I had a gap in my scientific work, but returned to terrestrial ecology, did some contractor work, and then finally joined NSW Government DCCEEW, starting in 2019. I have been the Team Leader, baseline (Koala Science) over the past four years, October 2021-February 2026, managing two exciting and challenging projects: (i) the first, field-based, multi-tenure, systematic, state-wide baseline survey of the distribution, occurrence, and relative abundance of koalas; and (ii) the remote surveys of relative abundance on the Mid North Coast assessment area. I led a team of 11 and collaborated with other team members and contractors. My role is to lead the science, operationalise fieldwork, support the team and visualise the program.

Charlotte Rigolot is a PhD student at the University of Newcastle. Her research focuses on spatially explicit landscape modelling, the simulation of the persistence of endangered species populations and movement analyses.