Aaron Organ has over 14 years experience in the environmental field. He has previously worked as a field ecologist in East Gippsland Victoria, and has worked as a ranger in Queensland and Victoria, having extensive experience in National Park and Reserve management throughout Australia.

Aaron has experience relating to the ecology and management of flora and fauna species, and ecological communities throughout south eastern Australia. He has provided ecological advice to a range of clients for proposed residential and industrial subdivisions, and large infrastructure projects such as wind farms in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Aaron has also played an integral role in a long-term flora and fauna monitoring project along the Illawarra escarpment New South Wales, and provided pre and post approval advice to clients for road and pipeline developments throughout Victoria. He has authored and/or co-authored over 200 reports, including significance and impact minimisation assessments, and environmental and species management plans.

Aaron is one of the leading professionals on the ecology and habitat requirements on a number of fauna species, including the Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis. He also has extensive experience in the development of threatened species and environmental management plans, fauna habitat and significance assessments, targeted fauna surveys, threatened species salvage, impact mitigation and amelioration measures, avian surveys and large scale Environmental Impact Assessments.

During his recent consulting experience he has written over 250 reports for a range of clients, such as road authorities, water utilities, planning consultancies, property developers, engineering firms and government agencies, in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. A selection of the projects managed includes proposed roads and pipelines, residential and industrial developments, the auditing of timber harvesting in State Forests, biodiversity studies and environmental management plans.

Simon completed his Honours degree on the use of habitats by small mammals in response to fire management regimes on French Island National Park, Victoria. Over the past 10 years he has managed several ecological projects for government and non-government organisations, including flora and fauna surveys, Net Gain assessments, environmental impact assessment and management planning, weed management, land rehabilitation and revegetation, and auditing and monitoring. He was most recently employed as a Senior Ecologist / Team Leader with a multinational company in Melbourne.

Simon has worked with various State authorities including the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), and Parks Victoria, undertaking a range of surveys on native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. He assisted DSE with its ‘ground-truthing’ and mapping of Ecological Vegetation Classes throughout Victoria, he has strong flora and fauna identification skills, and is a keen naturalist.

He has undertaken a range of threatened species research and survey projects throughout south eastern Australia, and has developed expert skills in providing solutions to challenging projects where engineering and planning constraints need consideration amongst ecological requirements. In addition to his role as a Senior Consultant he plays a major part in business development and marketing, and human resource management for the Company.

Clare has over 10 years experience working in the environmental field for both the UK public and private sectors. During this time she has gained skills working as a senior ecological consultant and surveyor, an ecologist for the British Army, a statutory nature conservation consultee in Scotland and an aquatic environmental field studies tutor for students in England. Clare also volunteered for a year in 2006 with Parks Victoria where she furthered her understanding of Victorian and Australian ecological issues and legislation. She also gained experience surveying and monitoring a wide range of vertebrate fauna, including threatened species and invasive animals in many of the Park reserves and was involved with stakeholder and partnership projects including the Southern Ark Mammal Recovery project in East Gippsland, Brush-tail Phascogale ABC monitoring and Re-introduction of the Brush-tail Rock Wallaby in the Grampians NP.

Clare has extensive experience of implementing and providing best practice ecological advice to clients in the UK for a wide range of issues including habitat, wildlife and reserve management, protected habitat and species legislation, environmental planning guidelines and policy, ecological impact assessment, housing schemes, industrial sites, windfarms, fishfarms, pipelines and electricity projects; as well as being involved in biodiversity partnerships, public consultations and educational awareness projects. During her career Clare has project managed numerous projects from conception to completion and written and co-authored various ecological reports and ecological management plans including two large UK Army Training Area MPs. Clare is a Member of the UK Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and a Chartered Environmentalist accredited by the UK Society of the Environment (SocEnv) which requires members to practice a responsible and ethical code of conduct, together with continuing professional development.

Clare has a genuine interest in flora and fauna ecology and conservation and has a particular interest in mammals. Her honours research focused on captive primate behavioural ecology and master’s research investigated the diversity and conservation implications of small mammals on protected lowland heathland habitats using direct trapping and indirect hair-tube analysis methods. Clare has also been involved with various voluntary projects including the UK National Amphibian and Reptile Survey (NAARS), the UK National Bat Monitoring Project (NBMP), the Warwickshire and Gloucester Bat Groups Rare Bat Projects (UK), The UK Mammal Society Water Shrew Survey, The Organ Pipes NP bat monitoring project (VIC) and the Cypriot EPA’s Marine Turtles Monitoring Project.

Matt completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2003 majoring in Ecology and Biology at Victoria University. He then completed an Honours project in 2004, investigating the ratio of clonal to non-clonal plants in several wetlands of the Gippsland Lakes region in south-eastern Victoria. From 2005-2008 Matt received an Australian Post-graduate Scholarship Award for full-time PhD studies. His project examined the recruitment dynamics (both sexual and asexual reproduction) and population genetics of several Bolboschoenus species from contrasting wetlands throughout the Gippsland Lakes.

Throughout his post-graduate studies Matt has worked as a research assistant on several collaborative projects including: the rehabilitation of Ramsar listed wetlands with Victoria University and Monash University; the investigation of seed banks and control methods for the invasive grass Nassella neesiana Chilean Needle Grass with Victoria University, VicRoads and the Department of Primary Industries. Matt also has extensive experience working in the grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains conducting flora and fauna surveys, and ‘habitat hectare’ assessments under the State’s Native Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action.

Matt has previously tought undergraduate students at Victoria University for 5 years in Biology, Microbiology, Australian Plants and Conservation Genetics. For several years Matt was both a volunteer and paid worker with the Victorian Indigenous Nursery Cooperative and Iramoo Sustainable Living Precinct, where he gained experience with native seed banks, plant propagation, endangered plant rescues and recovery programs, and the importance of provenance and community engagement in sustainability issues.

Matt brings to the Company extensive experience in the collection and identification of wetland and terrestrial plant species, and has worked throughout a range of Ecological Vegetation Classes in Victoria.

Cameron Amos completed a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Marine, Freshwater and Antarctic Ecology with Honours in 1999 at the University of Tasmania. Professionally, Cameron has eight years experience in freshwater ecology including three years in Tasmania working with the state government, and five years within Victoria as a Senior Aquatic Ecologist with an environmental consultancy.

In Tasmania, the projects that Cameron was involved in were the determination of environmental flows using macroinvertebrate collection and subsequent identification, fish surveys and physical form assessments, and the determination of river health by monitoring macroinvertebrates and water quality parameters. Key skills Cameron obtained during this period include the collection of macroinvertebrates using various techniques, the identification and the training of macroinvertebrates to species, and leading teams in the collection and identification of fish species throughout Tasmania.

As a Senior Aquatic Ecologist in Victoria, Cameron has been involved in several projects pertaining to the collection and identification of macroinvertebrates to species level through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Cameron has also managed a large number of fish surveys throughout south-eastern Australia and has used multiple survey techniques such as backpack and boat electrofishing, and netting. He has also completed scientific reports for projects which he has managed, including catchment health surveys, environmental impact assessments, and baseline data collection and river health determination using fish, macroinvertebrates, water quality and aquatic vegetation. Clients who Cameron has built a strong working relationships with over the years include the Victorian Environment Protection Authority, various water boards and water authorities, Catchment Management Authorities, power generation companies, and mining companies.

Cameron brings to Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. extensive experience in the collection and identification of macroinvertebrates to species level, and is an authority on many native fish species throughout south-eastern Australia. He also provides training and quality assurance to existing clients and staff with respect to the identification and collection of macroinvertebrates and fish.

Warren has worked in the conservation industry for over seven years as both an environmental consultant and a manager of bushland areas. Through his work in the industry he has gained an excellent understanding and invaluable experience in the assessment, management and rehabilitation of a range of ecosystems from severely degraded plains grasslands to high quality cool-temperate rainforests. He has managed large habitat restoration projects for a range of local and state government authorities. These projects have focused on a holistic approach to restoring ecosystems through environmental weed control, revegetation with appropriate species, pest animal management and fencing of assets.

Warren’s experience as an environmental consultant has included working on detailed projects such as Net Gain assessments, flora and fauna surveys, environmental weed mapping and monitoring of remnant vegetation in urban areas. Warren has excellent plant identification skills and good knowledge of both the indigenous and exotic flora of Melbourne and South-East Australia, and Ecological Vegetation Classes. He is currently completing a Diploma in Conservation & Land Management at NMIT.

As a bushland manager for over six years, Warren has lead and supervised crews of people on a regular basis, liaising with clients and the general public to achieve excellent outcomes for both the client and the managed area.

Warren’s primary role at Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. is to undertake botanical assessments and to provide advice to a range of State Government and private clients, using his knowledge of flora and vegetation communities, together with relevant government legislation and policy, in order to achieve desired outcomes.

Clio has completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biology at the University of New South Wales in 2004. She then went on to complete her honours degree in Zoology, which assessed the effects of sound on vigilance behaviour in macropods with a view to developing acoustic deterrents for problem wildlife.

Clio has an interest in wildlife conservation and has a strong background working hands-on with a wide range of Australian marsupials, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. She has managed and undertaken a variety of projects including flora and fauna assessments, conservation management plans, fauna habitat and significance assessments, salvage and translocation programs and targeted surveys for threatened flora and fauna species. Clio has a particular interest in the impact of human activities on wildlife and has been involved in projects addressing these issues on roads, in proposed residential areas, large infrastructure projects and within the forestry industry.

Her extensive experience with field survey techniques for terrestrial and arboreal mammals, bats, birds and frogs gives Clio a strong working knowledge of Australian fauna, the social and environmental issues that surround them and associated technical skills. She works closely with a range of Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. clients articulating the balance between urban and peri-urban development and the conservation of a suite of fauna, including significant species.

Stuart has a range of experience coving a diversity of fauna groups, with a passion for Australia’s avifauna. Stuart’s Undergraduate Degree focused on Natural Resource Management at Charles Sturt University. This included the management of both the natural (i.e. flora and fauna) and cultural values of natural areas, as well as the recreational use of these areas.

Stuart’s Honours project examined the phenomenon of birds nesting in Mistletoe and the mechanisms that drive this behaviour. This work was part of a wider research project examining the role of Mistletoe as a "key-stone" resource in many natural systems.

Stuart then moved to the Australian National University (Canberra) to undertake a PhD project investigating the ecological associations of the Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis. During three years of field work, west of Katherine in the Northern Territory, Stuart examined the behaviour of these birds, as well as their nesting symbionts. One symbiont, a moth, turned out to be a new species which has been added to the threatened species list.

Stuart’s work has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals and he has presented at both local and international ecological conferences. He is a member of the Night Parrot Recovery Network and has spent many years on the Birds Australia Victoria Conservation Committee.

Sandra completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2008 majoring in Ecology and Sustainability at Victoria University. She then went on to complete her honours research degree in plant taxonomy. Her project investigated the morphological characteristics and taxonomic distinctiveness of four species of Nicotiana (native tobacco) in Victoria.

Throughout her studies Sandra has worked on a variety of projects, including devising and contributing to the development of a draft management plan for Taylors Creek Reserve with Victoria University. She also undertook an individual project investigating seed germination in rare and threatened Bulbine and Nicotiana species. These projects have improved her plant and weed identification skills and increased her understanding of ecosystem management through the use of revegetation, weed removal and fire regime strategies.

Sandra has been teaching undergraduate students at Victoria University for two years in Biology and Australian Plants. She was also a volunteer with Iramoo Sustainable Community Centre, where she assisted in undertaking Striped Legless Lizard and vegetation surveys (i.e. Plains Grassland). Her recent work in assisting PhD students with a variety of ecological projects has given Sandra strong research skills, particularly in relation to data collection and interpretation.

Ian completed a Science Degree in 2006 majoring in ecology and botany at The University of Melbourne. He went on to complete a research based Honours project in 2007, investigating the seedbank dynamics of serotinous woody shrubs over a spatial and temporal scale, in the mid-west region of Western Australia. Since graduating Ian has been working as a research assistant for both The University of Melbourne and Murdoch University on a range of ecological projects including the effects of wildfire regimes on biodiversity conservation, the effects of climate change on local vegetation dynamics as well as aspects of mine site rehabilitation. During this time he has gained a vast knowledge of local and regional ecological and environmental processes, species identification, methodologies for ecosystem assessment, environmental monitoring and ecosystem management.

Throughout the many research projects Ian has worked on he has gained an in-depth knowledge of many environmental issues associated with both temperate and Mediterranean environments, particularly in the field of fire ecology. While the majority of Ian’s formal experience has been located in Western Australia, he has spent the majority of his life in Victoria and has extensive experience in species identification and ecological processes from many Victorian ecosystems.

Throughout his work Ian has also gained experience in the process of land remediation such as weed removal, revegetation and site monitoring. This has contributed greatly to his understanding of on-site restoration and ecological management techniques, exotic species identification and removal strategies, and aspects of public liaison.

Ian is a team player who is able to take on the types of responsibilities required of a botanist, and he brings an articulated approach to problem solving which is an asset to the Company.

Anna completed her Honours research at The University of Melbourne in 2007, studying the effects of river regulation on the aquatic and riparian flora of north-east Victoria. Since graduation, Anna has been working as an environmental consultant with a large multidisciplinary firm, spending most of her time undertaking Net Gain assessments, and surveying and mapping Victorian Volcanic Plains grassland communities, for a range a range of private and Government clients. Anna also has a broad knowledge of the flora of greater Melbourne, having completed surveys of a wide range of vegetation communities.

During her Honours fieldwork, Anna gained a strong understanding of environmental issues facing north-east Victoria, particularly associated with riparian habitats. She has also previously volunteered as a ranger at the Ettamogah Wildlife Sanctuary and was a student mentor at the Wonga Wetlands Environmental Education Centre.

Anna has also volunteered at the Melbourne University Herbarium, assisting with data collection and analysis. In particular, she undertook a restoration project for samples from the Cyperaceae family, which have been collected over the past thirty years, from north of Melbourne and in south Gippsland. This work has provided Anna with expert knowledge of these flora species and has expanded her botanical knowledge of other riparian species.

Anna was also selected as a student ambassador on an environmental study exchange to Georgia, USA. During her time overseas, she stayed at the University of Georgia Marine Institute, and visited many schools and community groups, discussing environmental issues ranging from the Georgia south coast to the Appalachian Mountains.

Her key role at Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. is to undertake botanical projects, advising a range of our clients on the potential impacts associated with proposed developments, and providing innovative solutions which minimises the risk to clients and where a suitable ecological outcome is achieved.

Daniel has completed a Bachelor of Science, with majors in Zoology, at the University of Melbourne in 2006. He then went on to complete an honours year in Zoology, in which he investigated the intercolony movements of the Crested Tern, Sterna bergii, between the two main Victorian colonies at Mud Island and Phillip Island, in relation to food resource quality and abundance in Port Phillip and Westernport Bays.

Daniel has had a keen interest in native flora and fauna and wildlife conservation from a young age, and is particularly knowledgeable in Australian bird species, assemblages, their vocalisations and their associations with specific types of habitat. He has worked on a multitude of research orientated projects, assisting in survey and monitoring work on a broad range of terrestrial, riparian and marine fauna species. Daniel also has extensive experience with field survey and trapping techniques for terrestrial mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Working closely with Philip Island Nature Park during his honours year, Daniel gained extensive experience in the safe capture, handling and behavioural monitoring of marine seabirds. Innovation and creativity allowed the development of several techniques in both the capture and recapture of the birds, and also the successful deployment and retrieval of a multitude of Time-Depth Recorder (TDR) bio-logger devices.

Daniel has interests in the effects of growing populations and expanding development on all native flora and fauna species in an already heavily fragmented environment, and more specifically, a key interest in the effects of these processes on the survival of both local and migratory seabird and terrestrial fauna populations.

Robyn completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Botany at The University of Melbourne in 2000. She went on to complete a research based honours project in 2002, investigating the morphological and anatomical characteristics of Glandular Phebalium Phebalium glandulosum (Rutaceae) in South-East Australia.

Robyn has previously worked as a Landcare Coordinator with the Upper Barwon Landcare Network where she undertook a range of tasks, including managing revegetation projects, undertaking site and informal vegetation assessments, GIS mapping, project planning and community engagement.

During this time she has gained knowledge of environmental and ecological processes, further developed her species identification and methods for ecosystem assessment. Robyn has also gained extensive experience in managing and restoring ecological systems including integrated management of pest plants and animals, and contempory revegetation techniques.

As a member of Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd., Robyn applies her many years of experience and specialist knowledge to a range of projects, including flora surveys, impact assessments and vegetation mapping. She has completed numerous flora assessments, including targeted surveys for nationally significant species such as Spiny Rice-flower Pimelea spinscens subsp. spinecens and Matted Flax-lily Dianella amoena, is proficient in undertaking habitat hectare assessments, and has worked with a range of clients including government departments such as VicRoads and water authorities, and private clients.

Ross Completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Botany at The University of Melbourne in 2007. He went on to complete a research based honours project in 2008-2009 investigating the influence of arsenic contamination and waterlogged soils on the establishment of native grasses in the phytostabilisation of mine waste. Ross has previously worked at the Royal Botanic Gardens in the Esma Salkin studentship where he carried out a morphological examination of taxa making up the Hoary Sunray Leucochrysum albicans (Asteraceae) complex. He has also worked as a field officer for the Victorian Volcanic Plains (VVP) Plains Tender program and undergone training in habitat assessment and evaluation. Through his study and previous work Ross has developed species identification skills and is able to recognise Ecological Vegetation Classes. He is proficient in habitat hectare assessment, has carried out targeted surveys for threatened species such as Spiny Rice Flower, Pimelea spinescens, and has worked with private land holders to develop management plans for remnant vegetation.

Jenna completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Zoology and Ecology with a minor in Botany at Monash University in 2006. She then went on to complete her honours degree in Ecology. Her project investigated the effect of different environmental factors on the spread of the invasive weed Phalaris aquatica in riparian zones.

While working at Maroondah Council in 2007 as an environmental planner for the Council offices, Jenna did informal flora and fauna surveys for Parks Victoria, and worked for an indigenous nursery which greatly improved her plant identification skills and widened her awareness of issues surrounding park maintenance and establishment.

As a member of Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd., Jenna applies her knowledge to a range of projects, including flora surveys, impact assessment and vegetation mapping.

Amanda completed her Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Zoology and Ecology at the University of Melbourne in 2005. During her degree, Amanda undertook several research based subjects in the fields of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Applied Ecology and Conservation of Australian Flora and Fauna. Some of these projects included; an assessment of the nationally listed Striped Legless Lizard, involving submission of recommendations for a species specific management plan; the floristic regeneration and succession in Wilson’s Promontory post-fire; the inter-tidal movements and grazing pressure of marine molluscs on sea grasses; and, an assessment of river health based on macro-invertebrate diversity and abundance.

Amanda’s interest in ecological research led to a year of field based experience on several projects, including the inter-colony movements of the Crested Tern Sterna bergii between Mud Island and Phillip Island, and the diet and abundance of the feral goat Capra hircus population on French Island. Throughout the following three years, Amanda’s interest in conservation, particularly in relation to frogs as ‘environmental indicators’, led her to voluntary work in the classroom. As part of Melbourne Water’s Annual Frog Census Initiative, Amanda provided presentations to students to help ‘spread the message’ of protecting our local environment, with particular attention to frogs and their habitats.

Amanda’s primary role at Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. is to assist other personnel on several projects, from large infrastructure projects such as the Victorian Desalination Project, to small scale residential and industrial subdivisions. Although she has largely worked on herpetofauna, including many threatened species such as the Growling Grass Frog, her broad experiences have given her a strong working knowledge of native fauna and their associated habitats throughout Victoria. She has completed numerous fauna assessments, including targeted surveys for nationally significant species such as Golden Sun Moth and Southern Brown Bandicoot. She works cohesively with clients and regulatory authorities to achieve a balance between development and flora and fauna conservation, in a rapidly expanding urban environment.

Bryan completed his degree in 2005 majoring in the field of Botany with a minor in Zoology at La Trobe University. This degree had an intensive focus on field based research projects with environmental sampling, terrestrial and aquatic surveys and species identification skills all conducted in a range of EVCs across Victoria. In 2006 Bryan then undertook an honours research project that focused on the grassland ecology of the Northern Plains, Victoria. The major component focused on the effects of potential changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change and its flow on effects to biomass, germination and biodiversity. To complement this field work Bryan also conducted a series of germination experiments in the laboratory using seeds collected from his site.

Bryan has since worked with various organisations such as Parks Victoria as a Summer Ranger at Wilson’s Promontory National Park, Melbourne Wildlife Reserve as an Ecological Interpreter and La Trobe University as a Practical Demonstrator for 1st year students. These roles have helped develop his oral and written communication skills in a variety of forums. In recent times Bryan has completed comprehensive field based experience in a land management position which has furthered his flora and fauna identification skills, while also increasing his understanding of ecological management techniques.

Kailash has completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science, with majors in Ecology and Biology, at Deakin University in 2006. He then went on to complete an honours year in Environmental Science, in which he investigated the behavioural thermoregulation of Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus, at Kanowna Island in northern central Bass Strait, in relation to the impacts of ambient temperature and solar radiation.

Kailash has been involved in the environment from a young age, with a particular interest in the complex interactions between flora and fauna. He has worked on a broad range of terrestrial and aquatic surveys, assisting on various research based projects investigating the diversity, abundance, and behavioural aspects of various mammal and bird species. As such, he has had experience with a range of field survey and trapping techniques for terrestrial and aquatic mammals, invertebrates, and birds.

Working directly with other honours and PhD students during his honours year, Kailash gained extensive experience in the capture and handling of marine mammals and birds. He has assisted in the deployment and recovery of various devices including satellite trackers and critter cameras, together with recording measurements and taking samples to be analysed for presence of parasites and diseases.

Kailash is interested in the effects of population growth and continuing development, combined with the impacts of climate change, on the distribution and diversity of native flora and fauna.

Andrew completed his Bachelor of Biological Science at La Trobe University Bundoora in 2005 majoring in Zoology. Throughout his degree Andrew gained experience in conducting comprehensive and critical analysis survey techniques on a range of flora and fauna interactions within a broad range of marine, terrestrial and riparian environments. Andrew also volunteered for Earthwatch in the ‘Birds of the Coorong’ research program where he furthered his knowledge on marine, terrestrial and riparian avifauna and various other surveying techniques (i.e. mist-netting and mud sampling).

With a strong interest in marine avifauna Andrew has been in numerous research programs for Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP) and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). During this time Andrew developed extensive experience in the capture and handling of marine birds whilst developing an understanding of the ecological factors which may influencing their reproductive success such as diet, foraging ecology and fledgling success rates.

Andrew completed his Honours degree in 2007 on the ‘Factors influencing the timing of breeding in Black-faced Cormorants Phalacrocorax fuscescens. Information on oceanic and environmental variables, predation, foraging range and diet was collected to understand why this species bred during winter. As peak laying occurred at a time when mean ambient temperatures were at their lowest, possible explanations for winter breeding may be related to temperature as the predicted factors were similar between breeding and non-breeding periods.

Andrew has recently completed 18 months of field experience in an environmental management role, furthering his understanding of ecological and environmental processes and their interactions with native and exotic flora and fauna species. Andrew has interests in sustaining natural biodiversity and its associated ecology in response to expanding developments and their affects on native populations.

Kim completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science, majoring in Life Sciences, with Honours from the University of Wollongong in 2000. Her honours research investigated the habitat use of insectivorous bats within the Illawarra region, near Wollongong NSW.

Kim is in the final stages of completing her PhD from the University of New England on the conservation of small mammals within the variegated pastoral landscape of the New England Tableands, in north-eastern NSW. The purpose of her PhD research was to determine how habitat modification affects the small mammal community of the New England Tablelands, by examining how vegetation, landform and land use correlate with mammal diversity, at a range of scales. The focal species of this study were arboreal marsupials (possums, gliders and koalas) and microchiropteran bats. The primary aim of Kim’s research was to produce management recommendations for the long-term conservation of small mammals in pastoral landscapes.

Through her PhD, Kim has developed extensive experience in techniques for surveying, capturing and handling small mammals. She is adept in spotlighting techniques, small mammal trapping and the collection and analysis of bat echolocation calls. Additionally, she has considerable experience in the survey and capture of macropods, birds, reptiles, frogs, fish and aquatic invertebrates.

In recent years Kim has been intensively involved with a diverse array of ecological research and conservation-based projects. For example, she played a vital role in the population study of a rare and threatened Grevillea species with the aim of developing guidelines for the ongoing conservation of the species. She has been involved in innovative research on the ecological relationships between indigenous truffles and native mammals which eat them. Kim has undertaken floristic and habitat surveys in vegetation communities across much of south-eastern Australia, ranging from semi-arid grasslands to rainforest.

Kim has a strong interest in the development and implementation of sustainable land-use practices which will enable the long-term conservation of biodiversity within privately-owned land.

Oona Nicolson is a Director and the Principal Heritage Advisor at Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. She is a heritage specialist with over 14 years experience in the archaeological consulting sector, working in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Tasmania. Oona regularly appears before VCAT and independent panels as an Expert Witness in the areas of Aboriginal and historical heritage. Oona has extensive experience in over 500 projects with a wide variety of clients.

Oona’s skills include project management, peer reviews, background research and due diligence assessments, archaeological survey, sub surface testing and salvage excavation, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal site identification, recording and photography, site significance assessment, development of recommendations to mitigate the impact of development upon Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal historical heritage, flaked stone artefact and historical artefact recording and interpretation, communication and consultation with regulatory bodies (Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and Heritage Victoria), clients, landowners, RAPs and community representatives, preparation of conservation management plans, expert witness statements, Permits and Consents to Disturb for Heritage Victoria, Historical Heritage Assessments and desktop, standard and complex Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plans. Her formal qualifications and memberships include:

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Archaeology) – High Distinction (First Class), Flinders University of South Australia (1996)
• Bachelor of Arts (Australian Archaeology and Australian Studies), Flinders University of South Australia (1995)
• Maritime Archaeology Certificate: Part 1 (Part 2 pending), AIMA and NAS (U.K.)
• Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. (Full Member and National President)
• Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association

Jen Burch is a Senior Heritage Advisor at Ecology Partners Pty. Ltd. She has worked full time as a heritage consultant since 2007, and has managed more than 70 archaeological projects for a variety of clients and developments, including wind farms, mining projects, residential and commercial developments, water and sewerage pipelines and associated infrastructure. She was most recently employed as an Archaeologist/Heritage Consultant with a multinational company based in Melbourne.

Jen has experience in a variety of tasks, including project management, background research and due diligence assessments, archaeological survey, sub surface testing and salvage excavation, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal site identification, recording and photography, site significance assessment, development of recommendations to mitigate the impact of development upon Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal historical heritage, flaked stone artefact recording and interpretation, communication and consultation with regulatory bodies (Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and Heritage Victoria), clients, landowners, Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) and community representatives, preparation of Consents to Disturb for Heritage Victoria, Historical Heritage Assessments and desktop, standard and complex Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plans. Her formal qualifications and memberships include:

• Bachelor of Archaeology (Honours) (First Class), La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia (2007)
• Bachelor of Archaeology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia (2006)
• Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologist Inc. (Associate Member)