I am a conservation biologist focused on impact through the creation of partnerships that combine research with on ground conservation and training. My research is designed to improve conservation management through changes to policy and on ground action. Examples of my impact are below

Rewilding

I have conducted research during 20 reintroductions of 10 threatened species at four study sites. My research has improved reintroduction success by providing frameworks for release protocols, post release monitoring and long-term genetic management. I helped empirically demonstrate that fenced reserves can effectively conserve mainland Australia’s threatened arid zone fauna due to the threat posed by introduced predators. This research has directly contributed to the increase in fenced reserves built for conservation from just five to over 30 over the last two decades. Our designed and tested threatened species protection fence design is now adopted throughout Australia and internationally. Research into dingoes and their interactions with cats and foxes has helped improve our understanding of their suppressive influence on large herbivores and introduced predators.  This research adds to a growing recognition that dingoes have a role to play in ecosystem restoration and has influenced dingo policy in South Australia through recognising that dingo control in cattle areas should be minimised.

Ecosystem Restoration

I have co-founded four dynamic research conservation projects (Australia and Pacific) protecting over 1000 km2 of habitat for conservation (Arid Recovery, Wild Deserts, Tetepare Island, Middleback Alliance). Research conducted in the Solomon Islands (Tetepare Island) has led to the implementation of a permanent Marine Protected Area and protection of nesting leatherback turtle populations. In Australia, our research has highlighted the issues with overpopulation of macropods leading to improved methods of management to reduce grazing impacts.  I have helped demonstrate the critical role of mammals (pre-European) as ecosystem engineers in ecosystem restoration, and that biocontrol of rabbits led to the greatest recovery of threatened species ever documented in Australia.

Predator prey interactions

My research on predation impacts and predator ecology is designed to change the way we view predators and their management. My long-term program of research and advocacy on predator ecology and management has directly influenced government policy. In particular, feral cats are now officially recognised as a national threat to biodiversity. I demonstrated that individual predators can vary significantly in their impacts on reintroduction programs. This predator research has led to partnerships to develop two new feral animal control technologies: (i) Felixer Grooming Trap and (ii) Population Protecting Implants. I was one of the first researchers to highlight that prey naivety is exacerbated by predator exclusion fences and to empirically demonstrate the benefits of predator exposure. This work has contributed to an increase in predator reintroductions in Australia, an increased focus on “beyond the fence” restoration, and an increased understanding of predator thresholds needed for successful reintroductions outside of fenced reserves.

I sit on a number of boards and advisory committees and partner with a range of research and conservation organisations. 

Wild Deserts Executive Management Committee

Arid Recovery Principal Scientist

Centre for Ecosystem Science Deputy Director

Great Victoria Desert Biodiversity Trust Scientific Advisory Committee

Middleback Alliance Management Committee

Ecological Horizons Director

Numbat Recovery Team

Kowari Recovery Team

National Environment Science Program Resilient Landscapes Hub Key Researcher 

Chuditch Recovery Team

Chuditch metapopulation management committee