Landscape Board Welcomes New Project Officer to Support the Health of Wetlands in the Murraylands

Based at the Murray Bridge office, Phoebe McInerney will help in the delivery of conservation initiatives at wetlands sites in the Murraylands.

Dr McInerney brings experience in environmental monitoring including flora and fauna condition assessments gained while volunteering overseas. As part of an undergraduate degree in biology and environmental studies, Dr McInerney spent time in South Africa working with rangers on ecological projects including the conservation of antelope and a rare native orchid.

During one trip to South Africa, work with several native bird species inspired Dr McInerney’s ornithological interest and prompted a detour to complete a PhD on the evolution of the now extinct bird species Genyornis. Also known as thunder birds, this large flightless bird lived until around 50,000 years ago including on the banks of Lake Callabonna, about 600 km north of Adelaide.

Over the course of her studies, Dr McInerney also spent time as a volunteer on Australian conservation initiatives including species such as the fairy wren.

Darren Willis – the landscape board’s Team Leader Wetlands – said that Dr McInerney’s passion for the environment and experience in ecological monitoring made her an ideal fit for the organisation.

“Phoebe’s appointment to the wetland team will strengthen our capacity to monitor wetlands and undertake vital management activities such as the delivery of environmental water and the conservation of species under threat”.

Dr McInerney said that she was excited to start her role with the landscape board.

“Wetlands are one of the most incredible and calming environments and I feel really privileged to be able to contribute to their conservation now with this new position”.

This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies.