Chris Klaas is a PhD candidate at Southern Cross University. His research focuses on investigating the feasibility of using the native leaf oyster, Isognomon ephippium, in oyster reef restoration. This involves studying the life history, ecophysiology and reproductive biology of leaf oysters to inform future conservation efforts and restoration guidelines in Australia.

Mick Durant is one of Greening Australia’s most experienced and respected restoration ecologists, bringing over two decades of expertise in ecological restoration and landscape management. Since joining the organisation in 2001, Mick has held a range of senior roles across South Australia, including Vegetation Services Site Supervisor, Community Biodiversity Support Officer for the SA Murray-Darling Basin, Senior Vegetation Consultant, and Senior Program Manager. From 2019 to 2021, he led operations for the Great Southern Landscapes Program in South Australia and now serves as Land and Restoration Lead. Mick’s strength lies in his breadth and depth of knowledge, spanning landscape-scale conservation planning, on-ground technical restoration, and ecological consultancy. He is highly skilled in engaging and collaborating with rural landholders and Traditional Owners, and his expertise includes field botany, ecology, GIS mapping and analysis, and carbon market participation, spanning from project registration through to monitoring and reporting. Mick’s practical knowledge, strategic insight, and long-standing commitment are critical in advancing Greening Australia’s mission to restore degraded landscapes and deliver lasting environmental and community outcomes.

Dee is a PhD candidate investigating behavioural variation in the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis), a unique reptile endemic to South Australia. Her research explores how population-level behavioural differences may influence the success of conservation translocations, drawing on field observations of wild lizards and individuals in semi-wild translocation settings. This behavioural work is linked to environmental factors such as microclimate temperature and humidity. In collaboration with Dr Emma Sherratt (University of Adelaide), Dee is also examining morphological variation across pygmy bluetongue populations, contributing further insights into the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of this threatened species. Her recent publications include contributions to special issues of Biology ("Coping with Temperature Increase Induced by Climate Warming: Trends in Ectothermic Species") and Animal Conservation ("Experimental Approaches in Conservation Translocations"). In 2024, she was awarded the Best Conservation Talk at the World Congress of Herpetology. With a diverse background including music and activism, Dee brings a creative and interdisciplinary approach to ecological research. She is deeply committed to understanding how organisms respond to a changing climate and applying this knowledge to real-world conservation outcomes.

Tong Li is a PhD student in the School of Biology and Environmental Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia. Her research explores the telecoupling impacts of international trade on coastal ecosystems, with a focus on mangrove-related ecosystem services and biodiversity. She aims to identify pathways for enhancing ecological outcomes through targeted investments and trade policy interventions. Tong holds a master’s degree from Xiamen University, China, and has previously studied trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services in coastal wetlands.

Dr Jackie O’Sullivan is a CERC Fellow within Water Security at CSIRO Environment. She holds a PhD in conservation ecology from the Australian National University (ANU) and has an extensive background in fauna ecology in both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Her research examines the impacts of threatening processes on species decline and evaluates strategies for effective ecological restoration. Her CERC Fellowship at CSIRO focused on climate adaptation strategies and wetland restoration actions to enhance ecosystem function and promote recovery in Ramsar-listed wetlands.

Case (they/them) is an Honours student in Biological Sciences at Flinders University. With a background in wildlife husbandry and education through their work at the Nature Education Centre, Case has developed a strong passion for conservation and science communication. Their current research explores how endangered reptiles respond to conservation interventions, with a particular focus on intergenerational plasticity as a mechanism for persistence under climate change. As a queer scientist, Case is committed to fostering inclusivity within ecological research and fieldwork. Through a biodiversity conservation internship in Costa Rica, they deepened their appreciation for learning from diverse communities and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to the planet. Case is passionate about making conservation science accessible and engaging to all, believing that inclusive communication is essential to meaningful environmental action.

I am a recent Honours graduate from the University of Melbourne, having completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours in June 2025. My academic experience culminated in a large-scale revegetation project, where I explored experimental techniques and current literature to mimic natural regeneration and protect seedlings from intense browsing pressure. Over the past two years, I’ve worked as a Consultant Ecologist for a small firm in Northcote, where I’ve gained hands-on experience in vegetation and fauna assessments, ecological management planning, and field monitoring. I’ve also worked as a Glasshouse Technician at AgriBio, contributing to agricultural research that included canola crop maintenance and crop health inspections. I’m passionate about bridging ecological science with practical conservation outcomes. My work is grounded in strong scientific methodology and shaped by a collaborative, solution-oriented approach to land management and restoration. I’m particularly interested in biodiversity conservation and ecological diagnostics, and I’m committed to using my skills to inform and improve restoration practices across both research and applied fields.