Ecological stewards making a positive difference for our environment

Helping to care for our natural environment sits atop the ‘job satisfaction’ list for this group of specialists who work for local landscape boards.

A close second is teaming up with local communities and other partners to achieve on-ground outcomes that make a real difference.

Whether it’s monitoring wetland wildlife, bringing threatened birds back to the Mount Lofty Ranges, or working to secure a future for threatened marsupial carnivores, these ecological stewards bring a wealth of specialist knowledge and experience to their work.

Find out why they enjoy working for landscape boards and the projects they are involved with that are making a positive difference to landscapes across the state.

Emily Reynolds, Wetlands Project Officer, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board

'The most enjoyable part of working with the landscape board is getting out on the ground and working directly with local community members and landholders.

After being in pest management roles with other landscape boards on Kangaroo Island and in Northern and Yorke, I’ve now taken on a wetland ecology position with the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.

Through these experiences, I’ve seen how protecting our natural environment can benefit conservation efforts while addressing key community priorities.

One example was the barn owl nest box project I managed on Kangaroo Island, which tackled pest control through rodent predation while supporting the breeding of native raptor species.

I have always been passionate about animals and our natural environment, studying a Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) and completing an Honours project relating to community conservation of the southern brown bandicoot.

In my new role, I’m excited to spend time in the field monitoring the frogs, fish, birds, and plants that call the wetlands home.

One project I’m especially looking forward to being involved in is providing environmental water for the first time to a section of Paringa Paddock section of Murray River National Park. I’m eager to see how the ecosystem and all its flora and fauna will respond.'

Luke Price, Regional Ecologist, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu

'I have a passion for the conservation and stewardship of our natural environment, particularly threatened species recovery.

Working as an ecologist for Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu gives me the opportunity to fulfil this passion and actively deliver on-ground outcomes that make a difference.

My work is varied and can be as straightforward as managing a small team and supporting staff from across the organisation with ecological advice, or as complex as coordinating the delivery of intricate multi-million dollar projects.

 At present, my role includes coordinating the delivery of the $2 million ‘Back from the Brink’ Project, funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust, which is helping reduce the extinction risk of the nationally threatened southern bell frog, Murray hardyhead (fish), hooded plover and western beautiful firetail (birds).

I’m also helping deliver a $1 million state government project to bring threatened birds back to the Mount Lofty Ranges, in partnership with the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and the Mount Lofty Ranges Bird Recovery Alliance.

 I enjoy working with a like-minded, skilled team of equally passionate people and being part of a small organisation that has the autonomy and capacity to get results.'

Andre Ortiz, Regional Ecologist, Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

'I've only recently joined the Northern and Yorke Landscape board and I’m eager to tap into the expertise of passionate environmentalists and First Nations people in the region.

I’m excited about getting to know people who have acquired knowledge from years living in the area - I’m sure I’m going to unlock a lot of hidden gems.

And it goes both ways. I look forward to providing critical technical advice to communities because I know it can be difficult for rural areas to access that.

My passion for environmental science was sparked at an early age. I really didn’t care about anything else. Even at school, if I was doing a completely different subject, like maths or English, I’d find a way to turn it into something about the environment.

Growing up I spent holidays at Balgowan on Yorke Peninsula and I’m sure this had a lot to do with why I chose to study the impact of plastics on shorebirds at the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary for my Masters research.

I discovered the amazing ecosystem service provided by the welcome swallow, a native bird that consumes up to 10,000 mosquitoes a day. I’m now exploring the development of nest boxes for welcome swallows to foster biocontrol of mosquitoes.

That’s what I love about ecology. You discover the different services provided by wildlife that have gone unnoticed. Welcome swallows are effectively providing virus control for humans, and we wouldn’t have otherwise known about it.'

Chamaree Goonetilleke, Landscape Officer, Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board

'I have been working as a landscape officer in Wudinna for more than a year now, and love being able to play many different roles in managing this local environment. From doing bird surveys, school workshops and managing pests, I get to work with a wonderful team and my work allows me to engage with all parts of the community.

I really enjoy working to care for our land and all the flora and fauna living here - and am constantly learning from everything and everyone around me.

I’m so glad I took a chance on applying for this job. I have a Bachelor of Science in Plant and Animal Biotechnology and was working at the Taronga Zoo in Dubbo when I saw the job advertised. This area had been on my radar after enjoying a visit to the Gawler Ranges with a stop-over in Wudinna. I was also looking for more hands-on work in the natural resource management space when the position in Wudinna came up.

A feature of this area is the Pildappa Rock Reserve in Minnipa. It’s an amazing granite rock formation and local council has been working to revegetate it and preserve the local environment.

Through one of our Grassroots Grants, I’ve been working with Wudinna District Council on the revegetation. This included organising around 50 students from Karcultaby Area School to come to Pildappa Rock for National Tree Planting Day which saw us plant more than 300 tubes of native grasses, trees, shrubs, bushes and flowers.

Overall, with the help of council, more than 2,000 plants have been established at the Rock. Seeing the reserve now, with all the flowers in bloom, grasses seeding, and trees growing, the legacy the children and the community have created is wonderful.'

Declan Morris, Community Ecologist, SA Arid Lands Landscape Board

'As a community ecologist at the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board, I can help conserve the threatened species in our region.

I have always had a special interest in carnivores, so the projects where we work with species such as kowari and western quoll have been an incredible opportunity.

 I have also been able to work with and learn more about the other amazing species we have in our region such as the Arckaringa daisy and the small, ground-dwelling plains-wanderer bird.

Working with the landscape board is about getting the community involved and sharing the passion for our unique landscapes, environment and species.

Working at the landscape board is highly rewarding, not only for the work we do, but also being able to work with like-minded people with diverse backgrounds and expertise to make a difference for our environment.'

More information

Interested in learning more about the projects that landscape boards are working on? Check their websites for information about current projects and activities or find them on social media.