Speaker line up

 

Over 40 speakers. One inspiring program. Hear from the changemakers, innovators and hands-on leaders shaping the future of New South Wales Landcare, agriculture and natural resource management.

Natalie Kyriacou OAM

Environmentalist. Author.

  • Natalie Kyriacou OAM is an Australian environmentalist, author and social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing climate and biodiversity action. She is the founder and chair of My Green World, a social enterprise delivering innovative environmental education programs that inspire young people to engage with wildlife conservation and sustainability, and a board director at the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.

Beau Miles

Adventurer. Filmmaker. Educator.

  • Beau Miles is an Australian adventurer, filmmaker, author and environmental educator known for his creative endurance challenges and storytelling. Based in regional Victoria, Beau produces widely viewed films about self-powered adventures through his popular YouTube channel. His projects blend humour, reflection and environmental themes, exploring ideas of sustainability, resilience and connection to place.

Mindy Woods

Chef. Author. Cultural Storyteller.

  • Mindy Woods is an acclaimed Australian chef, author and cultural storyteller, and the 2025 Champions of Change award winner by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. As the founder of Karkalla, she champions native Australian ingredients and Indigenous food knowledge through immersive dining and education experiences. Mindy’s work blends sustainability, culture and innovation, positioning her as a leading voice in Australia’s evolving culinary landscape and on the global stage. Mindy is a proud Landcare Ambassador.

Dr Alison Southwell

CEO Holbrook Landcare Network. Farmer.

  • Dr Alison Southwell has been CEO of Holbrook Landcare Network since 2021, following a 19-year career as an agricultural scientist and lecturer at Charles Sturt University. She holds a PhD in native grassland ecophysiology, with expertise in pasture management, agricultural systems, extension and education. Alison also co-manages a mixed farming and cropping contracting business, chairs SALRC (SNSW), and is a proud mother of two. Through her work with Holbrook Landcare Network, she is passionate about supporting sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship and resilient regional communities across south-eastern NSW.

Josh Gilbert

Author. Farming Advocate. Aboriginal Storyteller.

  • Josh is a socially and commercially focused Worimi (Aboriginal) man with over a decade of experience in the agricultural sector, specialising in Indigenous agriculture, work in sustainability and Indigenous employment. Josh works across government, corporate and social organisational levels to develop and lead change through sharing the narration of Indigenous identity through agricultural and environmental truth-telling in light of modern contexts. Josh is a deep, strategic thinker and manages business change effectively through empathy. He is passionate about creating change through effective investment and societal understanding.

Prof. Andrew Campbell

Landcare legend. Agricultural leader.

  • Andrew Campbell is a leading Australian expert in sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and the Landcare movement, with more than 30 years of experience working across research, policy and community-led environmental management. He has played a significant role in shaping approaches to sustainable agriculture and natural resource management in Australia and internationally. Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Landcare, with a strong focus on practical solutions, resilient landscapes and empowering communities to create lasting change.

Darren Wighton

Murray Local Land Services’ Cultural Broker.

  • Darren Wighton is a local Aboriginal leader in Albury. He is a Wiradjuri man, born and raised in the Central West at Condobolin. An established artist, sculptor, and cultural performer, with strong connections to country. His background is in Pastoral Care and Aboriginal Education.  He enjoys sharing Wiradjuri Language and Culture with the wider community especially through art. Darren is currently employed with Murray Local Land Services, as an Indigenous Cultural Broker, where he helps facilitate Indigenous community engagement throughout the Murray Region.

Mykel Dixon

Our MC. Recognised Authority of Creativity.

  • Meet your MC: Mykel Dixon is an award-winning speaker, author, professional musician and recognised authority on creativity, culture and the human future of work. He works globally with a range of Fortune 500 and ASX 200-listed companies that strive to make work feel more like play, teams feel more like family, and organisations feel more like festivals of possibility.

Darren Atkinson

Bangerang Elder.

  • Uncle Dozer Atkinson (Darren Atkinson) is a proud Bangerang Elder, senior cultural advisor and director of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Education (ACHE). Based along the Murray River in Victoria, he shares First Nations culture through storytelling, language and on-Country learning.

Tara Moriarty MLC

NSW Minister for Agriculture.

  • The Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC is the NSW Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales and Minister for Western New South Wales.

Steve Bunnell

Landcare NSW Chair.

  • Steve is the Chair and Treasurer of the Boorowa Community Landcare Group. Currently dividing his time between a finance and administration consultancy in Sydney and his wool and sheep trading property at Boorowa. Steve is active in his local Landcare and Regenerative Grazing Groups. Steve is currently undertaking several revegetation projects on his property including recently completing several tree planting and direct seeding sites.

Tess Herbert

Local Land Services Chair.

  • Tess owns and operates a sixth-generation family farming business – cattle feedlot, lamb and wool production and crops, silage and hay production – in the central west of New South Wales. Tess has previously been the President of the Australian Lot Feeders Association- the industry council grain fed beef, Director of the Federal Agriculture Minister’s Red Meat Advisory Council, Chair of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework Steering Group and Chair of the Red Meat Panel. Currently Tess is a non-executive director of Meat and Livestock Australia, the independent chair of the Grains Industry Sustainability Governance Council and the Chair of the Local Land Services State Board in NSW.

Peter Garrett

Landcare Australia Chair.

  • Peter Garrett is a musician and activist. As president of the Australian Conservation Foundation (1986-2002) he oversaw significant increases to natural protected areas and the adoption of Landcare. Entering Parliament in 2004, as Environment Minister Garrett initiated the campaign to end “scientific whaling” in Antarctica. As Minister for School Education, he legislated a historic new needs based school funding model. Returning to music in 2017 saw Midnight Oil release two ARIA number 1 albums: The Makarrata Project and Resist. Garrett’s The True North debuted at number 1 on the Australian Charts in 2024. Garrett is a Member of the Order of Australia, an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters (France) and Lead Commissioner of the current AUKUS public inquiry.

Lightning Talks

John Nolan

Murray Local Land Services.

  • John Nolan is Team Leader, Invasive Species with Murray Local Land Services, based in Deniliquin. John has more than 25 years of experience in invasive species management, including 10 years with Murray Local Land Services working across invasive species and Travelling Stock Reserves, with a strong focus on landscape-scale feral pig management across the region.

    Prior to joining Murray Local Land Services, John spent 16 years with the Australian Plague Locust Commission, working across remote desert regions of Australia managing plague locust outbreaks. He also spent three months working with the United Nations on Desert Locust management throughout the Empty Quarter region of Yemen. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time fishing with his two boys, Harry and Nick.

Erin Brinkley

Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council.

  • Erin is the Local Landcare Coordinator with the Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council, supporting Landcare across much of the western Queanbeyan-Palerang local government area. Erin has worked in Landcare for five years, delivering a diverse range of projects including traditional burning, climate-ready revegetation and riparian restoration. Through this work, Erin is passionate about supporting healthy landscapes, resilient communities and practical approaches to caring for Country.

Georgeanna Story

Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare Committee.

  • Georgeanna Story is a Local Landcare Coordinator with the Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare Committee, supporting Landcare across the eastern Queanbeyan-Palerang and north-eastern Snowy Monaro local government areas. Georgeanna has worked in Landcare for many years and has a strong background in mammal research, particularly wombats and koalas. She has also worked alongside the Cold Country Koala Project team, supporting practical conservation and community-led approaches to protecting native wildlife and their habitat.

Liz Mecham, Marg Bull

“Oakville” Conargo.

  • The Bull family farm at Oakville, near Conargo. Their property is well known for regional sheep breeding, local woolshed sales and active native vegetation regeneration. Marg Bull and her daughter Liz Mecham will share stories of their family’s stewardship of the property, including the Box Clump, an ephemeral wetland that has been a valued place for their family for generations. Their story highlights the importance of caring for Country, protecting natural assets and passing knowledge and connection to place between generations.

Belinda Elliott

Corowa South Public School.

  • Led by Belinda Elliott, the students of Corowa South Public School are enthusiastic environmental stewards who have led the recent rejuvenation of the school’s Firetail Garden. Working alongside Landcare, the Corowa She Shed and educator Claire, the students have taken an active role in planning, planting and caring for the garden. Through hands-on experiences, they have developed a strong connection to their natural surroundings and are excited to share their journey, inspiring others to embrace sustainability, outdoor learning and caring for Country.

Neil Bull

Rice Growers Association.

  • Neil Bull is a Policy and Project Manager with the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia and a founding member of the collective. He is an experienced environmental project manager whose connection with Landcare began through the RGA Environmental Champions Program. Neil has continued to support Landcare through creative fundraising initiatives, including Landcare-Pozzible crowdfunding for bittern conservation, and through securing funding to support Landcare Coordinators across the Murray Irrigation districts. He is passionate about building partnerships that support practical environmental outcomes and strong regional communities.

Edwina Hayes

Landcare legend.

  • Edwina Hayes was the first Murray Regional Landcare Facilitator and is a member of Holbrook Landcare and former CEO of Regional Development Australia Murray Region. Edwina has extensive knowledge and experience in Landcare delivery across Australia, with a strong understanding of community-led environmental initiatives, regional development and partnerships. Through her work, she has supported Landcare groups and regional communities to deliver practical projects and create lasting environmental and social outcomes.

Alydia Adams, Greg Ingram

  • Alydia Adam and Greg Ingram are proud Wiradjuri people bringing diverse experience across water management, soil conservation, mental health and Crown Lands, with extensive leadership experience including CEO roles. Their work is grounded in strong community engagement, partnering closely with Aboriginal communities to support culturally informed land management. Together, they focus on strengthening connections to Country, promoting wellbeing and building collaborative, community-led approaches that care for land, honour culture and deliver sustainable environmental outcomes for current and future generations.

Danielle Connolly

Western Regional Landcare.

  • Originally from the north-west coast of England, Danielle Connolly moved to Australia in 2013 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition. After working in private consultancy supporting eating disorder treatment, she relocated with her family to western NSW, where her passion for agriculture, rangelands and rural communities grew. Danielle supports the management of a 19,000-hectare Merino sheep and rangeland goat property and is currently completing postgraduate studies in Environmental Management. She also serves as Co-Chair of the NSW Committee for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 and is passionate about advocacy, community capacity building and strengthening strategic partnerships across rural and remote communities.

Bronte Lee

Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

  • Bronte Lee is a Coordinator with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP), where she has worked for the past 4.5 years. With a background in social work, Bronte is passionate about supporting the people and communities who live on, work on and care for the land. Growing up with a strong appreciation for rural life and the environment, she understands the deep connection between wellbeing, community, environment and Country. Working across Far West NSW, Bronte supports RAMHP’s statewide work to strengthen mental health education, connection and pathways to support, while breaking down barriers and building resilience across rural and remote communities.

KNOW concurrent session

Julie Reynolds

Central Tablelands Local Land Services.

  • Julie Reynolds is a Senior Land Services Officer with Central Tablelands LLS, based in Mudgee since 2014. Previously, she worked as an NRM consultant with Parsons Brinckerhoff and GHD. Julie is passionate about rural landscapes, the people who care for them, and the conservation of threatened species. While paperwork isn't her forte, she thrives in the field - on the lookout for Regent Honeyeaters, Swainsona recta, and the elusive Tarengo Leek Orchid. A self-confessed budding birdo, she's working hard to graduate from 'bird novice' to fully-fledged bird watcher.

Bruce Christie

Chair Watershed Landcare.

  • Bruce Christie is Chair of Watershed Landcare. Based in Rylstone NSW, he began his career in the shearing shed, but at 35 he followed his passion for Landcare, becoming Catchment Coordinator at Watershed Landcare. For over 25 years, he has worked with landholders across the Mudgee region to enhance natural assets through improved soil health, revegetation, and sustainable grazing. Since leaving his role at Local Land Services, Bruce has continued his commitment to sustainable land management, both in his Landcare leadership role and on his own property, where he uses virtual fencing technology to maintain soil condition and ground cover.

Hayley Pattison

Pattison Farms.

  • Hayley Pattison is a livestock producer and small business owner behind Pattison Farms and Pattison Pastoral Butchery, with a focus on regenerative farming, quality livestock and educating consumers about agriculture and meat processing. Through social media and on-farm experiences, Hayley shares authentic insights into rural life and the journey from pasture to plate. She is passionate about connecting consumers with agriculture and showcasing the care, knowledge and hard work behind producing quality Australian food.

Alice McGrath

Biodiversity Conservation Trust.

  • Alice McGrath manages BCT’s Education Program, working to promote understanding and appreciation of biodiversity in NSW through partnerships and impactful projects. She has 16 years’ experience in environmental program design, delivery, management and community engagement, combining practical knowledge with strategic thinking. Her background in landholder education and agreement delivery, along with years of program design and award-winning projects, has built her expertise in science education, adaptive management, stakeholder engagement, team leadership and complex project implementation. Alice is passionate about tackling environmental challenges through outcomes-focused projects, effective communication and investing in people.

GO concurrent session

Nereda Christian

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services.

  • Nereda Christian is a Senior Land Services Officer with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, based in Armidale, NSW. She enjoys working with landholders, communities and partner organisations to deliver practical natural resource management outcomes across the region. Nereda is currently involved in the Healthy Hollows project on the Tingha Plateau, where she works alongside Gwymac Landcare, local ecologists and private landholders to create nest hollows for yellow-bellied gliders and other hollow-dependent species. She is passionate about collaborative, on-ground conservation action and values the strong partnership between Local Land Services and Landcare in delivering projects that support biodiversity, healthy landscapes and connected communities across the Northern Tablelands.

Lee Thomson

Gwymac Landcare.

  • Lee Thompson is a Landcare Coordinator with Gwymac Landcare, working across New England and north-west NSW to support landholders, community groups and local initiatives that care for the landscape. Her role includes securing funding, coordinating Landcare groups across the Macintyre and Gwydir catchments, and delivering workshops, field days and projects that respond to local needs. Lee also serves as lead coordinator of the North West Area of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS) group, reflecting her strong commitment to biodiversity and community-led conservation. She values partnerships that bring people together to create lasting benefits for rural communities, productive land and the natural environment.

Emily Heggerty

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services.

  • Emily Hegarty is an Advisory Extension Officer based in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, working at the frontline of invasive species management. With a background as a field ecologist, Emily has experience managing invasive animals in degraded environments and understanding their impacts on ecosystems. Her current work focuses on supporting communities to protect and enhance biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, particularly through raising awareness and enabling early response to cane toads. Emily works closely with landholders, Landcare, and partner organisations to build knowledge, confidence, and capacity for on-ground action. She is passionate about practical, community-led approaches to invasive species management that deliver meaningful outcomes for both production systems and biodiversity.

Tamar Cohen

BVLLN Landcare.

  • Tamar Cohen is passionate about the socio-cultural aspects of environmental management, with a background in environmental anthropology and a research interest in the many ways people perceive and interact with their environment. She has worked for more than 10 years in community engagement across the environmental sector, including on sea level rise in the Pacific, the social impacts of mining and cross-cultural considerations for post-mining land rehabilitation. Tamar has been involved with Landcare as a volunteer since 2017, as a member of Gesar Springs Landcare and an executive member of BRRVLN. Since 2018, she has worked with BRRVLN across a range of projects, including pest animal management, landslip remediation and conservation of habitat for threatened fauna species.

Nicola Tsiolis 

Co-exist.

  • Nicola Tsiolis is a marine scientist, Environmental Protection Officer with EPA Victoria, and North East Victoria Leader with Co-Exist Australia. She is endlessly curious about Country and passionate about creating opportunities for young people to find connection, belonging and their own reason to care for the places they call home.

    For Nicola, Landcare is ultimately about people — the relationships we build, the places we fall in love with, and the stories that remind us we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

    Outside of work, you’ll find her climbing, hiking, birdwatching, making pottery, picking up other people's rubbish in the bush or behind a camera — particularly drawn to film, photography and the power of a good story. She is a scientist by training, but a curious human by nature.

SHOW concurrent session

Sonia Graham

University of Wollongong.

  • Sonia Graham is an associate professor of rural geography at the University of Wollongong. Over the last two decades her research has explored the social values and relationships that shape environmental attitudes and collective action.

Christine Davis

GLENRAC.

  • Christine Davis is a Landcare Coordinator with GLENRAC, bringing extensive experience in environmental management, community engagement and Landcare delivery. After completing a Bachelor of Environmental Management (Natural Systems & Wildlife – Honours) at the University of Queensland in 2006, Christine began her Landcare journey in 2007 as a Project Support Officer with the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee in Toowoomba. After moving to the Northern Tablelands near Deepwater in 2009, she worked as a Regional Landcare Facilitator with New England North West Landcare Chairs Inc before joining GLENRAC in 2020, initially as a Project Manager and now as a part-time Landcare Coordinator.

Paula Sheehan

West Hume Landcare.

  • Paula Sheehan has been working with local land groups across the South West Slopes for over 10 years. Paula's dedication to enabling communities and individuals to engage and be involve with on ground actions to support threatened species works is inspiring.

Lou Bull

West Hume Landcare.

  • Lou Bull has worked on the delivery of the first LAMP since 2016 which focuses on Squirrel Gliders. Lou recently joined Southwest Threatened species team to work on the baseline data and community engagement for Gang-gang Cockatoo LAMP in the Upper Murray.

Dr Trudi Ryan

Words for Change.

  • Dr Trudi Ryan is Principal Consultant at Words for Change, where she helps people working in complex social and ecological contexts understand how language shapes emotion, cognition and behaviour. With a PhD in ecology, a Masters in linguistics and postgraduate study in behavioural neurobiology and marketing communication, Trudi brings an evidence-based, interdisciplinary approach to environmental communication. She has 30 years’ experience working with researchers, agencies and practitioners across conservation, natural resource management, climate adaptation and community change. Her work focuses on values, framing and language strategies that foster care, connection and curiosity in support of positive social and ecological futures.

SLOW concurrent session

Alexandra Knight

Environmental Scientist.

  • Alexandra is an environmental scientist who works closely with communities to build new knowledge and strong connections with Australian nature. She completed a PhD in environmental management, which modelled habitat used by threatened frogs, and applied environmental sociology approaches to explore constraints and enablers to using new environmental knowledge. She works with Landcare groups in eastern Australia to build community management of both tidal and freshwater wetlands. In 2025, Alexandra travelled to Antarctica with 123 women leaders from around the world tackling nature loss and climate change, as part of the Homeward Bound Leadership for Women in Science program.

Philip Worrad

Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

  • Philip Worrad has worked for seven years as a preventative mental health worker with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) in the Western NSW Local Health District. In this role, Phil delivers mental health education, information, and resources to communities across the NSW Central West, supporting wellbeing and connecting people with appropriate services when needed. He supports communities following natural disasters and local crises. Phil has a strong interest in how philosophy and practical frameworks build mental resilience. Recognised across diverse community settings, Phil provides clear, practical support that reduces stigma and improves pathways to care.

H20 concurrent session

John Conallin

Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group.

  • John Conallin has been involved in freshwater ecology and community based restoration programs for over 30 years. He has worked both locally and internationally on food security and wetland restoration programs specifically related to restoring small bodied fish populations in wetlands.

Danielle Littlewood

Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc.

  • Danielle Littlewood has worked in regional Australia for over 20 years in community engagement, facilitation, project management and event planning roles. She has extensive experience managing environmental projects for Landcare, state Government and Local Councils across NSW, VIC and QLD. With a Bachelor degree in Natural Resource Science, she is passionate about creating innovative and engaging opportunities for people to connect with and understand the world around them.

Helen Jessup

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

  • Helen Jessup has worked with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for over 30 years. As a Ranger, Helen worked closely with coastal land managers to improve coordinated, tenure-blind approaches to weed control. She is currently a Project Officer leading a multi-state coastal weed management initiative, focused on strengthening collaboration across government, non-government and community partners to tackle invasive plants along Australia’s coastlines. Passionate about partnership-driven outcomes, Helen brings extensive practical experience in delivering collaborative projects and believes in the power of collective action to protect coastal ecosystems.

Phoebe Gulliver

Little River Landcare.

  • Phoebe Gulliver is the CEO of Little River Landcare Group Inc., a dynamic organisation dedicated to nurturing a healthy, productive, and diverse environment across the Little River Catchment Area in NSW. Under Phoebe’s leadership, LRLG has delivered over $10 million in impactful projects—from tree planting and stream restoration to regenerative agriculture and climate education. She champions a community-driven approach, engaging landholders, schools, and local businesses to build resilience through sustainable land management and ecological restoration. In her upcoming talk, Phoebe will share insights into LRLG’s holistic model that integrates environmental, social, and economic wellbeing, and explore how collaborative action can transform landscapes and livelihoods.

Allan Nicholson

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

  • Allan Nicholson, is the Principal Salinity Officer, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Allan is recognised regionally and nationally for salinity expertise, giving advice at a state and federal level; he brings over 30 years of Natural Resource Management experience, working with communities conducting research, extension and investigation programs at local, regional, state and national scales. Much of this innovative activity and programs has been conducted in the Little River catchment.

Luke Hamilton

Far South Coast Landcare Association.

  • Luke Hamilton works for the Far South Coast Landcare Association (FSCLA), coordinating the long-running Coastal Weeds Project which targets, treats, and maps high-priority coastal weeds and marine debris on the beaches of the Far South Coast of NSW. The project covers a staggering 151 beaches along a 265km stretch of coastline from the Victorian border to Broulee, working across 6 national parks, 2 local council areas, 6 Local Aboriginal Land Council areas, Privately owned land and Crown land.  The project's success lies in its multi agency, tenure neutral approach, fostering partnerships with land managers,  strong stakeholder engagement, and enabling community participation and education.

    Luke also coordinates the FSCLA Conservation Management Network which supports Bega Valley land managers in conserving, restoring, and protecting the biodiversity values on the land they manage.

SOW concurrent session

Meredith Mitchell

Corowa Districts Landcare.

  • Meredith Mitchell is the Senior Project Officer with Corowa District Landcare and has been actively involved in community-based natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and environmental education for many years. Meredith works closely with landholders, community groups, schools and partner organisations to deliver practical on-ground projects focused on biodiversity conservation, revegetation, soil health and community engagement. Passionate about connecting people with landscape stewardship, Meredith has played a key role in developing and delivering workshops, field days, citizen science activities and habitat restoration projects throughout the region. She is committed to supporting resilient rural communities and fostering strong partnerships that create lasting environmental outcomes.

Linda Durham

North Coast Regional Landcare Network.

  • Linda is an experienced Natural Resource Management professional with expertise in community engagement, partnership development, program coordination and project management. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Management and has worked across NRM regions, local and state government roles in Queensland and South Australia. Linda joined the North Coast Regional Landcare Network in 2025 as Regional Landcare Coordinator. Prior to this, she worked in coastal management with the South Australian Government, Department for Environment and Water. Linda has a long term and strong connection to the NSW North Coast and is committed to supporting Landcare networks and regional communities.

Daniel McCawley

Clarence Landcare.

  • Daniel has been working in the Clarence Valley as a contract bush regenerator and ecologist since 2020. Working with non-profit groups, national parks, and private ecological consultancy firms across the state, he has surveyed and monitored threatened species including Kroombit tinker frogs, Western NSW rusty hood orchids, and threatened flora in the Clarence.

Paul Rymer

Western Sydney University.

  • Dr. Paul Rymer is an Associate Professor in Ecological Genetics at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (Western Sydney University), where he specializes in plant adaptation and the resilience of native seeds to rapid environmental change. His work critically examines how heatwaves and drought impact seed germination and viability, providing the genetic foundation for climate-adjusted restoration

Jai Sleeman

North Coast Local Land Services.

  • Jai Sleeman is a Senior Land Services Officer with the Natural Asset Protection team at North Coast Local Land Services. Over the past two years, he has represented NCLLS as one of three founding partners supporting the funding, governance and strategic development of the North Coast Regional Seed Bank Network (NCRSBN), an expanding community of practice spanning five local government areas and associated Landcare hubs across the North Coast.

    Jai brings more than 20 years of experience in natural resource management (NRM) project delivery and management, working across a diverse range of initiatives including threatened species conservation, fire management, habitat connectivity, riparian and estuarine rehabilitation, weed and pest management, native vegetation programs, and the provision of extension services and technical advice to landholders.

    Complementing his professional experience, Jai has hands-on expertise in seed collection, propagation and planting for rainforest restoration, gained through restoring more than six hectares of rainforest on his own property. He is particularly passionate about partnering with First Nations communities to create meaningful "Working on Country" opportunities and applying evidence-based planning approaches, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to support strategic ecological restoration and landscape-scale conservation outcomes.

SHOW concurrent session

Adam Bennett

Charles Sturt Univeristy.

  • PhD candidate and associate lecturer at Charles Sturt University looking into the impacts of electrical infrastructure on animal diversity with a specific focus on birds and powerlines.

Damien Melotte

Co-founder of Dinadj Pty Ltd.

  • Damien Melotte is co-founder of Dinadj Pty Ltd, and an industrial designer, systems innovation and circular/regenerative economy strategist. He co-created the Country Centred Economy (CCE) framework with Indigenous leader Paul Paton and is undertaking an industry-linked PhD at Deakin University on Bridging Indigenous relationality and regenerative practice. Damien works with First Nations organisations, government, business and community partners on place-based shared value projects, that care for Country and Community.

David Crew

Yarkwau Indigenous Knowledge Centre.

  • David Crew is the Manager of Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre. Yarkuwa is a Traditional Owner organisation based in the town of Deniliquin in the Riverina Region of New South Wales. David has been associated with Yarkuwa since its incorporation in 2003. It was formed to ensure traditional owner knowledge was preserved in future generations.

Tamara Harris

Central Tablelands Local Land Services.

  • Tamara is a member of the NSW LLS Natural Capital Advisor team. Tamara is based in Cowra and is a sheep farmer, mother, and consultant. With over 20 years' experience in natural resource management and regenerative agriculture, she helps landholders value natural capital and build resilient, productive farming systems.

Dr. Chioma Igwenagu

Central West Local Land Services.

  • Chioma Igwenagu (PhD) is a Natural Capital Advisor with Central West Local Land Services, where she builds farmers and landholders capacity to integrate natural capital into practical farm management. With a PhD in Soil Biogeochemistry and expertise in natural capital and environmental market, soil carbon and nutrient cycling, natural resource management, environmental monitoring and project management, she enjoys bringing research and practical knowledge together to support more sustainable, profitable and resilient farming systems.

    Through her role at Central West LLS, Chioma provides one-on-one advice, delivers training and workshops, and leads initiatives such as the Natural Capital Profile to help landholders better understand and incorporate their natural assets into farm planning and decision-making. She is passionate about turning complex environmental concepts into practical tools and actions that help farmers build healthy soils, protect biodiversity and strengthen long-term farm resilience.

GLOW concurrent session

Magdalene Lemecke

Upper Snowy Landcare Network.

  • Magdalene has worked as the Upper Snowy Landcare Network coordinator for 2 years now, and is based in Cooma. USLN operates across the western areas of the Snowy Monaro, an area of baking summers, freezing winters and some rain. Magdalene has a background in filmmaking which drew her towards the work of Landcare while making a documentary on the Monaro dieback. She has a strong interest in the complex environmental challenges facing the Monaro, and since stepping into the Landcare world has not only learnt a lot about how to plant a tree, but, more importantly, how to know a grassland

Maddison O’Brien

Watershed Landcare.

  • Maddi O'Brien is the Local Landcare Coordinator with Watershed Landcare, working across the Mudgee, Kandos and Rylstone regions on Wiradjuri Country. With a background in multidisciplinary design, arts facilitation and community engagement, Maddi is passionate about the role creativity can play in connecting young people with environmental action. Through initiatives such as Regenerate & Create, she explores how art, storytelling and hands-on experiences can foster belonging, ecological literacy and meaningful participation in Landcare, helping young people see themselves as active participants in caring for Country.

Mitchell Lenehan

Charles Sturt University.

  • Mitchell Lenehan is a research student at Charles Sturt University whose work explores how rural communities in inland southern NSW can respond to the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, land degradation, and social change. His research applies participatory, systems-based approaches with a focus on integrating biodiversity conservation and socio-cultural wellbeing with productive land management. Mitchell's personal and professional background includes experience in community development, organic horticulture, beef production, dryland cropping, and woodland restoration on farmland.

Ben Humphries

Birdlife Australia.

  • Ben Humphries has a Bachelor of Science from La Trobe Uni and has worked in tourism for 20 years across Australia including positions in private enterprise and government organisations. Ben is now based on Wiradjuri Country in Albury and currently works for BirdLife Australia as the Southern NSW Woodland Bird Project Coordinator. Ben enjoys engaging with landholders and community groups to promote the 'Birds on Farms' project by raising awareness of the need to protect, create and maintain woodland bird habitat, and supporting people to connect with Country through our birds.