Chris is an ecologist with a strong interest in how we can better design, plan, and manage infrastructure to support wildlife - especially in urban and road-affected environments. His PhD at Griffith University focused on making road ecology more practical and effective, from developing species-specific acoustic monitoring methods to investigating how well road design policies are actually applied on the ground. Chris has worked across research, industry, and community sectors, including roles in ecological restoration, environmental planning, and youth conservation leadership. He’s contributed to bushfire and rehabilitation strategies for mine sites, authored reports that shaped the restoration of major wildlife crossings in Brisbane, and collaborated with government and community partners to improve biodiversity outcomes in infrastructure projects. He also writes for TransportEcology.info, helping to translate research and case studies into accessible resources for practitioners. At the heart of his work is a commitment to bridging the gap between science and practice - making sure ecological knowledge doesn’t just sit in journals, but gets used in ways that make a difference.

Dr Kit Prendergast, also known as The Bee Babette, is a wild bee scientist, ecologist and science communicator. She conducted her PhD under a Forrest Research Foundation Scholarship. Her work has spanned diverse topics from conserving native bees in urban areas, bee hotel research, including as a recovery tool after bushfires, the impact of honey bees on native bees, conserving native bees around transport infrastructure, designing seed production areas for pollinators, citizen science projects, and taxonomy (she described a new species, Leioproctus zephyr, after her dog, Zephyr). Kit has worked in academia, as well as an ecological consultant, partnering with Landcare and NRM Groups, local and state council, environmental consultancies and industry. She is also very passionate scicomm about inspiring the next generation in STEM, especially young girls. She has written a popular book Creating a Haven for Native Bees, has an award-winning scicomm circus comedy performance about pollinators, and has been featured on Gardening Australia and in COSMOS and Double Helix magazine. Kit has won a number of awards including Curtin Young Achiever Alumni and the ESA Outstanding Outreach Award, and was a Famelab finalist and WA Young Achiever of the Year finalist.

Plant evolutionary ecologist focused on the biogeography and reproduction of invasive plants.

Darcy Watchorn is an early-career conservation biologist based in Australia, specialising in the research and conservation of threatened fauna—particularly mammals—and the ecological impacts of disturbance processes such as fire, invasive predators, and climate change. He completed his PhD at Deakin University in 2024, investigating the combined effects of fire and introduced predators on native fauna and evaluating the role of artificial refuges in post-fire recovery. Darcy is currently a Threatened Species Biologist at Zoos Victoria, where he contributes to conservation efforts for the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, focusing on population monitoring, translocation, and habitat characterisation. He is also an Honorary Research Fellow at Deakin University.

Dr Eric Nordberg is a wildlife ecologist and research leader at the University of New England, specialising in landscape management, biodiversity conservation, and the ecological impacts of renewable energy. Eric’s work bridges academia, industry, and community, pioneering collaborative research hubs and industry partnerships to address real-world environmental challenges. His innovative research on land-use change, particularly in renewable energy zones, is shaping best-practice guidelines for nature-positive development and management.

Leanne Butterfield is a PhD Candidate at the Flinders University in South Australia. Her project is focused on environmental values and signage for beach regulation compliance and shorebird conservation at beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. She currently enjoys working as a Keeper at the Adelaide Zoo and has previously worked as a Clinical Psychologist.