Citizen Science Show

https://www.redmap.org.au/

https://reeflifesurvey.com/

https://www.urgdiveclub.org.au/

https://www.sarahdives.com/

https://spotashark.com/

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#149 Holding the Line for the Regent Honeyeater with Mick Roderick

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:16:03 GMT

Saving birds was never supposed to be Mick Roderick’s career, but somewhere between university ecology fieldwork and friendly arguments over bird field guides, birdwatching stopped being a pastime and became an identity. Mick did not grow up as a birder. His family were bushwalkers, and birds were simply part of the landscape. It wasn’t until studying ecology at university that he began paying closer attention, and before long birding shifted from a social activity into something much deeper. Over time it became both his profession and his obsession, an unusual pairing that has worked remarkably well.

Mick now works as the Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator at BirdLife Australia, an organisation that has been protecting Australian birds for more than 125 years. Based in the Hunter region of New South Wales, he is also deeply involved with the Hunter Bird Observers Club, where long-term citizen science has played a crucial role in understanding population trends. For nearly three decades, volunteers have conducted monthly shorebird surveys in the Hunter Estuary, creating a dataset of immense value. Those records reveal an uncomfortable truth: migratory shorebirds, including the eastern curlew, continue to decline despite decades of monitoring and effort.

More Information

https://birdlife.org.au/

https://www.hboc.org.au/

https://www.twitchathon.com.au/

https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/

Image Attribution

Mick Roderick (Robert Virtue) ABC

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#148 Finding Belonging Through Australian Wildlife with Adrian Sherriff

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 06:32:23 GMT

Adrian Sherriff has spent much of his life bringing people closer to Australian wildlife, not simply to admire animals, but to understand the systems that keep them alive. Animals Anonymous began as a straightforward idea: taking native animals into schools and community spaces to spark curiosity and connection. Over time, that idea grew into a broader mission encompassing education, inclusion, conservation, and a sense of belonging.

Animals Anonymous now operates across several areas. The organisation delivers wildlife education programs, teaches animal handling to university students, and hosts private wildlife encounters at its property in Mylor in the Adelaide Hills. It also runs an NDIS program supporting people with disabilities, helping them develop confidence, social skills, and purpose through working with animals. Watching people find connection and belonging through shared care and curiosity has become one of the most meaningful outcomes of Adrian’s work.

More Information

https://open.spotify.com/show/3hcErP3avhLkKVIK2LAIAd?si=75189ffee06847c6

https://aussiewildlifeshow.podbean.com/

https://www.reptilecreative.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/AussieWildlifeShow/

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#147 Long-Term Studies to Protect Australia's Wildlife with Professor David Lindenmayer

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 09:12:58 GMT

David Lindenmayer’s scientific life began in his mid-teens, shaped by birdwatching trips with his father and groups of volunteers who seemed able to hear and identify birds long before they were visible. Learning bird calls became like learning another language, one that opened his eyes to how landscapes function and how life is distributed across them. That connection to the environment has never left him, and decades later he still finds inspiration simply by spending time in the bush, where something new reveals itself every time careful attention is paid.

The idea that nature is always resilient is, in his view, only partly true. Ecosystems can recover if given the chance, but resilience breaks down when multiple stressors occur too frequently and too intensely. Long-term data are essential for understanding these patterns, particularly in a country as variable as Australia. Maintaining those studies has required relentless effort, constant fundraising, and support from dedicated collaborators and volunteers, but without them there would be little understanding of what is really happening to biodiversity.

Some of the hardest truths in conservation involve recognising the scale of human impact. Humans and their livestock now dominate global mammal biomass, leaving only a small fraction for wild species. Confronting that reality is uncomfortable, but it is necessary if damage is to be repaired and further loss prevented. At the same time, David emphasises that there are genuine reasons for hope. Successful feral animal eradication on places such as Macquarie Island shows how quickly ecosystems can recover when pressures are removed.

Restoration projects have also demonstrated powerful outcomes. Renovating poorly managed farm dams can transform them from sources of greenhouse gases into carbon sinks, while improving water quality, boosting biodiversity, and increasing farm productivity. These results show that well-designed, science-based investments can benefit nature, climate, and people at the same time.

Working alongside First Nations elders has deepened his understanding of land management, particularly fire. Indigenous knowledge and Western science offer different but complementary perspectives, and when brought together respectfully they reveal insights that neither system can achieve alone. Cultural burning, in particular, is highly localised, purposeful, and fundamentally different from broad-scale hazard reduction burning, a distinction that is often misunderstood.

More Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lindenmayer-34b165223/

https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/david-lindenmayer/

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#146 Greater Koala Park and Saving Tuckers Nob with Meredith Stanton and Tim Cadman

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:54:23 GMT

Tuckers Nob State Forest is prime koala habitat but sits outside the proposed Great Koala National Park because it is zoned as plantation. Under New South Wales regulations, plantation zoning allows clearfell logging, meaning entire areas can be logged without safeguards for wildlife. Although koalas live in these forests, they are effectively rendered invisible by planning frameworks that assume plantations are not suitable habitat. Without protecting core koala habitat, Tim Cadman argues, there is no future for koalas either in the region or more broadly.

Tim works with Meredith Stanton and a team of around thirty citizen scientists, Tim has been mapping important habitat trees and documenting koala presence using drones, night vision equipment, and on-ground surveys. The aim of this community-driven science is to demonstrate that plantation forests are functioning ecosystems. Meredith reflected on her own experience living in Clouds Creek State Forest, once known for a high koala population that has steadily declined over decades of repeated logging. Long before the 2019 bushfires, she noticed fewer sightings, the absence of breeding females, and the disappearance of familiar seasonal calls.

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/timothymarkcadman

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#145 The Real Sea Mob and the Power of Citizen Science in Coastal Wetlands with Owen Burt and Lucia Caldas

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 04:18:47 GMT

The name The Real Sea Mob reflects their belief in honesty, community, and connection. They aim to present science clearly, without exaggeration or despair, and to show both the challenges and the opportunities facing marine and coastal environments. Maintaining optimism, they said, comes from spending time in nature, working with engaged communities, and supporting each other through shared purpose.

After moving to Australia three years ago, Lucia’s first local citizen science project involved mangrove monitoring with Positive Change for Marine Life in northern New South Wales. That work connected her with Jock Mackenzie, now her manager at Earthwatch Australia where she is the Program Manager for wetlands, coastal, and marine environments in Queensland. Based in Townsville, she now works closely with communities, Traditional Owners, and Indigenous rangers across large sections of the Queensland coast.

Owen’s pathway into citizen science began during his undergraduate studies, when he travelled to Indonesia to conduct coral reef surveys under academic guidance. His interest in coastal ecosystems continued into his master’s research, which focused on mangroves and their role in buffering heat and supporting marine life. That research brought him to Mexico, where he and Lucia met while working on a citizen science project in Akumal. Lucia managed a dive centre and led scientific dives, while Owen carried out mangrove research, and their shared enthusiasm for coastal ecosystems grew from there.

More Information

https://www.instagram.com/therealseamob/

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#144 Ghost Nets and the Silent Crisis on Australia’s Northern Shores with Kristen Sierke

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 02:07:04 GMT

Ghost nets have become one of the most confronting environmental issues facing northern Australia, and hearing directly from those working on the ground makes it impossible to ignore the scale of the problem.

Speaking with Kristen Sierke, the Ghost Net and Marine Debris Coordinator with the Northern Land Council, highlighted how deeply this issue is woven into both marine conservation and Indigenous ranger work across the Northern Territory.

Kristen’s path into this work began with a long-standing connection to the ocean, from studying marine biology in South Australia to working in tourism on the Great Barrier Reef, and later as a ranger and in biosecurity roles in the Northern Territory.

That progression led her to work closely with Indigenous rangers, and eventually into a role dedicated entirely to tackling ghost nets and marine debris in Southeast Arnhem Land.

Ghost nets are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear that continue to trap wildlife long after they are no longer under human control. Designed to catch fish, they do exactly that without discrimination, drifting for years or even decades.

An aerial survey in the Gulf of Carpentaria alone identified more than 2,500 ghost nets on beaches, with estimates suggesting that across northern Australia there is roughly one ghost net for every kilometre of coastline.

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/kristen.sierke/

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#143 Beaches Full of Plastic with Heidi Tait from Tangaroa Blue

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 08:04:45 GMT

Heidi first recognised the scale of marine debris while working as a diving instructor, a career that placed her in the water almost daily and offered close encounters with marine wildlife.

Over time she began noticing increasing amounts of rubbish appearing in some of the world’s most treasured dive sites.

Later, while exploring the southwest coast of Western Australia, she saw debris washing onto remote beaches and began questioning its origins and how the flow could be stopped.

These observations planted the seeds of what would become Tangaroa Blue and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative.

People can get involved in many ways: participating in beach clean-ups, establishing monitoring sites, supporting data analysis, contributing to awareness campaigns or using the AMDI Data Collection App.

The value of sustained volunteer data cannot be overstated; it would be impossible to fund an equivalent program using paid staff alone.

More Information

https://tangaroablue.org/

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#142 Christmas Cracker 2025 with The Citizen Science Show Podcast Crew. A year in Review

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 03:39:34 GMT

Tonight on the show we gather the team and revisit some of the Citizen Science Show highlights for 2025.

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#141 Foaming Tides and Microscopy with Samantha Sea

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:29:41 GMT

During one calm day in March 2025, Samantha noticed something unusual: thick, persistent sea foam spread across the water near West Island.

It was far more extensive than anything seen before, and instinctively it seemed wrong.

With guidance from Faith and Peri Coleman, Samantha learned how to use the equipment, how to prepare samples, and how to identify phytoplankton.

What stood out most was the absence of historical baseline data. There was no clear record of what “normal” looked like for these coastal waters. The only option was to document what was present now and to keep watching.

From that need, Samantha created an open Facebook group, Phytoplankton of South Australia, making all findings public and transparent.

More information

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1315762396637652

https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?project_id=249644

Photo Credit

Lynlee Johnson

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#140 Reviving Australia’s Freshwater Turtles Through Community Action with Ricky Spencer

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:33:23 GMT

Australia has roughly 25 to 30 freshwater turtle species, depending on the day’s taxonomy debates, and Ricky Spencer's work centres on these inland species found in almost every river, dam and creek.

Among the most fragile is the Bellinger River turtle, which came close to disappearing ten years ago when a virus reduced a population of more than four thousand to just sixteen survivors.

Those rescued turtles continue to breed under human care, yet the road to recovery is long.

Meanwhile, species that are still widespread are also declining.

Long-neck turtles, familiar to many Australians, have dropped by around ninety per cent over three decades despite their apparent abundance.

More Information

https://www.turtlesat.org.au/turtlesat/

https://1millionturtles.com/

Photo Credit

Dr Donald McKnight

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#139 Restoring Coral Reefs Through Collective Action with Alicia McArdle

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 05:47:24 GMT

Alicia McArdle’s work in conservation has been shaped by community from the beginning.

Early in her career, not long after university, she was employed by Save Our Waterways in Brisbane, helping coordinate a project to restore an entire creek system. Local residents carried deep knowledge of their waterways, and working alongside them showed her how powerful citizen-driven stewardship can be.

That experience stayed with her, just as her first sight of the Great Barrier Reef at age twelve on Green Island did.

The colours, marine life and the fleeting shock of spotting a moray eel set her on a path toward marine biology.

More Information

https://citizensgbr.org/

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#138 Exploring Breathing Caves that Preserve in Stone, Charcoal and Silence.

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 22:16:39 GMT

Clare Buswell’s career weaves together political science, cultural history, and speleology in a way that makes perfect sense once she begins to explain it.

Her early academic work on colonial gender dynamics in Kenya led her to examine cultural interpretations, dreamings and social relationships—perspectives that later helped her understand the significance of Australia’s karst landscapes and the First Nations stories etched into them.

For Clare, the subterranean world reflects the same human and environmental connections found above ground, only preserved in stone, charcoal and silence.

More Information

https://caves.org.au/

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Thumbnail Photo Credits:

Mr Neville Skiner

Clare Buswell

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#137 Australian Museum Champions Citizen Science Through Innovative Programs with Paul Flemons

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:20:16 GMT

At the Australian Museum, citizen science has grown from a niche concept into a vibrant, community-driven force.

Managing the Centre for Citizen Science, Paul Flemons oversees three major programs that have transformed how the public engages with scientific research.

Frog ID is perhaps the most familiar, inviting thousands to record and monitor frogs across Australia.

DigiVol allows volunteers to digitize invaluable collections from institutions worldwide, including natural history, cultural artifacts, and council libraries, from the comfort of their homes.

Australasian Fishes collects data on fish distributions, helping to track environmental changes and shifts in ocean temperatures.

More Information

https://australian.museum/get-involved/citizen-science/volunteer-with-us/

https://www.ccwa.org.au/bat_monitoring_program

About The Citizen Science Show Podcast

This episode of the Citizen Science Show podcast is coming to you from CitSciOz25 the Australian Citizen Science Association conference, in Melbourne Connect, a world-class innovation precinct at The University of Melbourne.

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#136 Listening to Bats in the Night: Citizen Scientists Reveal the Lives of Perth’s Microbats with Kelly Sheldrick

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 04:33:57 GMT

Kelly Sheldrick has been working with communities across Perth to uncover the hidden world of the region’s tiny microbats—animals so small and quiet that most people never realise they are part of the local landscape.

Through her projects with the Conservation Council of Western Australia, volunteers use active acoustic detectors along transects in City of Wanneroo bushland, watching echolocation calls appear on screens while listening to slowed-down chirps.

This real-time sensory experience often transforms how participants think about bats, shifting them from distant concepts to lively nocturnal neighbours.

More Information

https://earthwatch.org.au/research/mangrovewatch-community-events

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#135 Community Power Driving New Momentum for Australia’s Mangroves with Jock Mackenzie and Shannon Bredeson

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 03:26:40 GMT

I met Jock Mackenzie at the CitSciOz25 conference in Melbourne, where he spoke about Mangrove Watch and his role as Senior Program Manager for wetlands, coastal and marine environments at Earthwatch Australia.

He founded Mangrove Watch in 2008 in response to declining mangrove and saltmarsh health, and he explained how these tidal-zone trees protect fisheries, store carbon, filter water and shield the reef, all while remaining extremely vulnerable to climate change.

Australia hosts about forty-six mangrove species, more than half the global total, and citizen scientists continue to make surprising discoveries, including the critically endangered Bruguiera hainesii found in Cairns—one of only about two hundred individuals in the country.

Later I spoke with Shannon Bredeson from CAFNEC, who explained how the local action plan model emerged in 2022 after communities asked for ways to act on the problems they were documenting.

Workshops brought together scientific findings and community knowledge, and participants voted on which threats to address first. Some projects are simple to launch, such as the Mulgrave catchment’s education program linking students with the mangroves that surround them.

Others are more complex, like the Hinchinbrook plan using drone surveys and coastal engineers to design erosion control structures along the Cardwell foreshore. Initial seed funding of about seven thousand dollars helped early projects take off, and additional support comes through the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

More Information

https://www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/research/diversifying-citizen-science-and-public-engagment/echidna-csi

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#134 Echidna CSI and the Expansion of Citizen Science in Australia with Professor Frank Grutzner

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 02:32:52 GMT

At CitSciOz25, Frank Grutzner reflected on how far echidna research has progressed and how crucial community involvement has become to that progress.

As a genetics professor at the University of Adelaide, Frank focuses on the DNA of Australia’s native species.

When he arrived in the country 25 years ago, he quickly became fascinated by the platypus and echidna.

Their biology is unlike that of any other mammals, yet studying them in the field is notoriously difficult.

Frank often jokes that he could spend an entire day searching without success, only to find an echidna digging up his backyard when he returned home.

More Information

https://earthwatch.org.au/

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#133 Connecting Communities With Science Through Earthwatch Australia | Elizabeth Irvine

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 02:18:41 GMT

Speaking with Elizabeth Irvine at CitSciOz25 revealed just how much energy is driving the next chapter of citizen science in Australia.

Even midway through the conference the enthusiasm was palpable, and hearing her perspective on Earthwatch Australia’s programs showed why so many people feel inspired.

As Head of Programs, she sees firsthand how community engagement shapes the organisation’s work and how citizen scientists help tackle major environmental challenges.

More Information

https://www.eleanordrinkwater.com/

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#132 Following the Amazing Flight of the Bogong Moth with Dr Eleanor Drinkwater

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 02:09:58 GMT

At CitSciOz25, I found myself immersed in the world of bogong moths with Dr Eleanor Drinkwater, whose enthusiasm for these small, unassuming insects is contagious.

She explained how these moths, despite their size, undertake one of the longest insect migrations on the planet.

They emerge in northern New South Wales and travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres to the Snowy Mountains, where they crowd into caves and aestivate through the hottest months before returning as temperatures fall.

More Information

https://www.bogong.org/

https://invertebratesaustralia.org/

https://mothtracker.swifft.net.au/

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#131 Mapping the Hidden Life of the Murray–Darling Through Community Hands with Dale McNeil

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 06:16:48 GMT

Presenting at CitSciOz25 gave me the chance to share a project that has reshaped how I think about science, trust and the way people connect with their local environment.

The Great Australian Wildlife Search began as a collaboration between the Murray–Darling Basin Authority, the Odonata Foundation and EnviroDNA, but it quickly grew into something far bigger once communities stepped in.

Our aim was simple: gather a broad biodiversity snapshot across the vast Murray–Darling Basin using environmental DNA and the enthusiasm of people who know their waterways best.

More Information

https://www.mdba.gov.au/

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#130 Caves Beneath the Nullarbor: Exploring Australia’s Hidden World with Andrew Stempel

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:59:39 GMT

Andrew Stempel is the president of the Australian Speleological Federation,. He leads a community of nearly a thousand volunteers exploring and protecting Australia’s vast underground landscapes.

Formed in 1956 in Adelaide, the federation—soon to be rebranded as Caves Australia—unites 26 clubs across the nation. Every caver contributes to a growing digital archive, preserving decades of handwritten expedition reports that map the unseen beneath our feet.

Andrew became president in January 2025. Originally from the United States, he moved to Australia in 2014, discovered caving in 2018, and has since spent more than 4,000 hours underground.

With a background in molecular cell biology, he left the laboratory for outdoor education and now merges both worlds through citizen science. This month, he begins a PhD studying ancient DNA from the strange creatures of Australia’s caves.

More Information

https://caves.org.au/

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#129 Unearthing the Hidden World of Fungi with Dr Tom May

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:00:02 GMT

At Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, mycologist Dr Tom May devotes his work to exploring the vast and often unseen world of fungi. His focus is taxonomy—identifying, classifying, and cataloguing the remarkable diversity of fungal species across Australia.

Within the Gardens’ Fungarium, Tom oversees a collection of more than 100,000 preserved specimens, one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Each sample is carefully documented, its data shared with the Atlas of Living Australia, ensuring that this vital record contributes to the nation’s broader understanding of biodiversity.

More Information

https://fungimap.org.au/

https://www.drytropicshealthywaters.org/

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#128 Connecting Data and Community in the Dry Tropics with Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 05:23:09 GMT

At the CitSciOz25 conference in Melbourne, Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins spoke about her work with the Healthy Waters Partnership for the Dry Tropics, an organisation that connects government, industry, research institutions, and citizen scientists to protect waterways around Townsville and the Great Barrier Reef.

Kara-Mae describes her role as a data end user—someone who turns raw data collected by others into meaningful tools for decision-making.

Each year, her small team analyses more than thirty thousand data points to produce a catchment-wide report card, combining indicators such as coral, seagrass, and fish health with water quality results to present a single, comprehensive picture of the region’s ecosystems.

More Information

https://mrccc.org.au/find-a-frog-in-february-2025/

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#127 Young Scientist Inspires at CitSciOz25 with Passion for BioBlitz with David Mabb

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 01:58:02 GMT

At the CitSciOz25 conference in Melbourne, one presenter stood out not just for his enthusiasm but for his age. Twelve-year-old David Mabb, the youngest speaker at the Australian Citizen Science Association event, has already spent half his life immersed in the world of BioBlitzing. His fascination with nature began when his mother, Michelle, took him along to one of her own citizen science events, and it has grown ever since.

More Information

https://scienceforall.world/

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#126 Why we Should be Paying Citizen Scientists with Dr Jack Nunn

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:17:29 GMT

At the CitSciOz25 conference, Dr Jack Nunn presented a discussion paper created in collaboration with the Australian Citizen Science Association and the Australian Academy of Science’s Theo Murphy Institute. Using participatory methods, the team explored the challenges within citizen science and identified ways to improve it.

Over fifty contributors provided more than sixteen thousand words of input, which were analysed using STARDIT—Standardised Data on Initiatives—an open platform hosted by Wikimedia Australia.

The tool allows users to document who did what, which methods and funding were used, and what outcomes were achieved. By gathering this information across many projects, researchers can begin to identify effective practices and move towards truly evidence-informed approaches.

More Information

https://www.lyrebirddreaming.com/

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#125 Lyrebird Dreaming: Speaking the Languages of Nature with Gregory Andrews

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:34:35 GMT

At the Citizen Science Conference in Melbourne, Gregory Andrews spoke with both urgency and hope. A Dharawal man from southwest Sydney, Gregory describes his deep connection to Country, believing that every Australian shares a similar bond when they live respectfully with the land. His totem, the lyrebird, guides his life’s work. Like the lyrebird that speaks many languages, Gregory has spent his career building bridges between cultures, communities, and the natural world.

More Information

https://earthwatch.org.au/

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#124 From Campus Corridors to Coastal Wetlands: Steering Earthwatch Australia Through Change with Fiona Sutton Wilson

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:25:48 GMT

After more than two decades in the university sector, Fiona Sutton Wilson realised that middle management no longer fulfilled her desire to make a tangible difference. Surrounded by policy and research, she felt drawn toward work that would more directly benefit the environment. A turning point came during a week-long bush retreat with a group of women, where the quiet of nature reawakened her childhood love of the natural world—memories of exploring with her botanist father and discovering native orchids resurfaced, reigniting her environmental passion.

More Information

https://www.climatewatch.org.au/

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#123 Listening to the Pulse of Nature with FrogID with Nadiah Roslan from the Australian Museum

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 05:59:58 GMT

At the Australian Museum, Nadiah Roslan coordinates FrogID, a citizen science project that has transformed the understanding of frog conservation since its launch in 2017. Supported by Inspiring Australia and IBM, FrogID began with a simple idea—use smartphones to listen to frogs and turn their calls into valuable scientific data. Each frog species has a unique sound, making acoustic monitoring an effective, non-invasive way to study biodiversity across Australia. By pointing a phone toward a calling frog, anyone can contribute meaningful information to science.

More Information

https://www.beesbusiness.com.au/

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#122 Keeping Australia Buzzing: How a Nurse-Turned-Scientist Sparked a Movement for Pollinators with Megan Halcroft

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 03:48:50 GMT

Dr. Megan Halcroft never imagined that her fascination with bees would begin while studying horticultural science after years of working as a nurse. What started with a unit on apiculture evolved into a lifelong commitment to understanding and protecting Australia’s native bees.

Megan started Australian Pollinator Week which was launched in 2015 with 26 events, gaining recognition from the Environmental Trust.

Pollinator Week has become far more than a scientific outreach program. Across the country, communities host creative and educational events, from workshops to art installations inspired by pollinators. One project built chandeliers from clay leaves in tribute to leaf cutter bees, while another turned bamboo into musical wind-chime sculptures. These activities highlight how art and science can work together to connect people to nature.

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/groups/beeawareofyournativebees

https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/count/

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#121 Fighting Krill Fishing with Dr Lucia Morillo and Sea Shepherd

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 04:32:37 GMT

In Antarctica, Lucia Morillo has witnessed another form of exploitation: the industrial harvesting of krill. Once thought to be limitless, krill are now targeted for luxury products such as omega-3 supplements and additives for salmon farms. While the fishery is technically legal, its regulation under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) is deeply flawed. With 27 member nations required to reach unanimous agreement on quotas, even a single objection—often from powerful countries like Russia or China—can stall or dismantle vital protections.

Krill are far more than prey. They act as a biological carbon pump, consuming microscopic algae that absorb carbon dioxide and carrying that carbon into the deep ocean when they die. In doing so, they help regulate the planet’s climate. Yet humans continue to harvest them for nonessential products. Lucia and her colleagues argue that this practice is both wasteful and unnecessary, as plant-based sources of omega-3s already exist.

More Information

https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/

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#120 Protecting the Wild Hearts of the Hunter with Debbie Breen and Alexis Ting from Hunter Wildlife Rescue

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 10:18:16 GMT

Debbie Breen and Alexis Ting are volunteers with Hunter Wildlife Rescue, dedicating their time, homes, finances, and emotional strength to animals in crisis. Their work reveals a reality far removed from the romantic image often associated with wildlife care.

Hunter Wildlife Rescue was founded more than 36 years ago by Audrey Koosman and originally focused on the lower and upper Hunter Valley. Over time, its reach has expanded significantly, now covering Newcastle, the Upper Hunter, and areas approaching the Central Coast. This expansion reflects not growth in resources, but a sharp rise in animals needing help due to land clearing, development, and road networks. The organisation works independently but collaborates closely with groups such as WIRES and ARC, coordinating rescues and sharing resources when regions are overwhelmed.

Hunter Wildlife Rescue responds to calls around the clock for a wide range of species, including birds, gliders, flying foxes, reptiles, turtles, possums, wombats, kangaroos, and koalas. Most animals are cared for in volunteers’ homes, where carers wake every few hours to feed, clean, medicate, and monitor vulnerable animals. Alexis explained that while bonds inevitably form, the goal is always release back into the wild, not keeping animals as pets.

Moments of success make the hardship worthwhile. Alexis described releasing a brushtail possum after months of care and later receiving confirmation that it was surviving in the wild. Those moments help carers endure exhaustion, injury, and emotional strain. Cat and dog attacks, habitat destruction, and vehicle strikes remain the most significant threats, particularly for koalas.

If you see an injured animal in the Hunter NSW region of Australia, please call the Animal Rescue Line on 0418 628 483.

More Information

https://www.hunterwildlife.org.au/

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#119 Unraveling the Harmful Algal Bloom Off South Australia | Faith Coleman

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:29:54 GMT

Faith Coleman is an estuarine ecologist who specialises in aquatic microbia, water chemistry and sediment dynamics.

She is currently involved in studying and collecting data in relation to the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) off the South Australian coastline.

You can see images of Karenia and the research on the Facebook page; Phytoplankton of South Australia.

More information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-coleman/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1315762396637652

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#118 Landholders Lead the Way in Conservation Through Citizen Science | Alice McGrath & Aaron Clausen | NatureMapr | NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 01:59:05 GMT

Tonight on the show we are talking to two guests who are leading the way in biodiversity monitoring and conservation by using technology to enable land owners to monitor their land through the model of land libraries.

In partnership with participating land owners, Education Program Team Leader Alice McGrath of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and Aaron Clausen, Founder and Director of NatureMapr are building pro-active communities with local experts to bridge the gap between land owners, government, scientists and citizen scientists.

More Information

https://naturemapr.org/

https://naturemapr.org/collections/12418

Free Online Conservation Course with the BCT

https://www.bct.nsw.gov.au/elearning

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We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

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#117 Saving the Orange-bellied Parrot from the Brink of Extinction with Kerri Duncan

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 23:26:08 GMT

The Orange-bellied Parrot is one of the rarest birds in the world and one of only three migratory parrot species. Each year, it breeds in the remote wilderness of Melaleuca in southwest Tasmania before attempting the perilous journey across Bass Strait to the coasts of Victoria and South Australia. Its survival depends on a delicate balance of habitat, safe migration, and human intervention.

Kerri Duncan, an animal science and communication specialist with the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia, coordinates the National Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team. Her role involves uniting government agencies, zoos, NGOs, First Nations groups, and volunteers in the fight to save this bird. She manages the complex logistics of the recovery program, from facilitating meetings and media releases to overseeing on-the-ground action. Though much of her work is administrative, she relishes opportunities to assist in the field, including fitting tracking devices to parrots in Tasmania.

More Information

https://www.obprecoveryteam.org/

https://birdata.birdlife.org.au/

https://birdlife.org.au/?srsltid=AfmBOorivJpthHcowa4mEQ_A8_sViT56FXkWSF0lBDH_XTkPsLS43zNR

https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/southwest-national-park/melaleuca

https://www.melbournewater.com.au/water-and-environment/water-management/sewerage/western-treatment-plant

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#116 Safeguarding the Giants of Geographe Bay with Capri Joliffe

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 08:11:26 GMT

From an early age, Capri Joliffe was captivated by the ocean and its inhabitants. A book on dolphin acoustics she read as a child fixed her ambition to become a marine biologist and to study how whales and dolphins communicate. That passion carried her through studies in marine biology and zoology, then into a PhD in applied physics at Curtin University, where she focused on the acoustic communication of blue whales.

Pygmy blue whales, the subspecies studied by GMR, migrate along the Australian coast without traveling as far south as Antarctica. They must feed continually due to their slender build and limited fat reserves. Geographe Bay offers a rare chance to observe them close to shore, where they appear to follow underwater contours that may shield them from currents, predators, or aid navigation.

More Information

https://www.marineresearch.org.au/?page_id=1484

https://www.marineresearch.org.au/?page_id=199

https://www.jasco.com/news/2024/dr-capri-jolliffe-joins-jasco-australia-as-technical-director

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#115 Saving One Frog at a Time with Anke Maria Hoefer from FrogWatch

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:44:48 GMT

Anke Maria Hoefer an enthusiastic and energetic morphologist and behavioural ecologist who studied Garden Skinks for her post graduate studies at the Australian National University.

She is focused on creating inclusive environments for communities, is an advocate for Citizen Science and has been running the ACT & Region FrogWatch Program since 2011.

More Information

https://ginninderralandcare.org.au/frogwatch/

https://researchprofiles.canberra.edu.au/en/organisations/centre-for-conservation-and-ecology-genetics

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#114 Watching the Skies with the Newcastle Astronomical Society | Mark Murray | Hunter Science Festival 2025

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:20:48 GMT

At the Hunter Science Festival in Newcastle, Mark Murray of the Newcastle Astronomical Society shared his enthusiasm for the night sky, which is matched only by his deep knowledge of it. The Society had hosted an observing night at Lake Macquarie the evening before, registering 400 attendees despite poor weather. On the festival day itself, the sun shone down on the museum grounds where curious visitors gathered to learn more.

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/newcastleastrosociety/

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#113 Inspiring Young Minds with Robots at the Hunter Science Festival | Macker McKrell | Hunter Science Festival 2025

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:16:27 GMT

At the heart of the Newcastle Museum during National Science Week, Macker McKrell from the Hunter Innovation and Science Hub (HISH) introduced children to the world of robotics. His aim was simple yet profound: to give young people the opportunity to play, experiment, and explore why things move and how they can be controlled. He emphasised that this curiosity is vital, particularly in a country like Australia, which is struggling to keep pace with the rest of the world in robotics.

More Information

https://hish.org.au/

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#112 Seeds of Restoration | A Botanist’s Path to Preserving Australia’s Future | Lily Mickaill | Hunter Science Festival 2025

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:11:57 GMT

At the Hunter Science Festival in Newcastle, botanist Lily Mickaill spoke with conviction and warmth about her work in seed conservation. Based at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, she represents a new generation of scientists dedicating their careers to protecting biodiversity. Her focus lies on something deceptively small yet enormously powerful: seeds.

More Information

https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/science-facilities/australian-plantbank

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#111 From Leukaemia Research to the Poo Palace | Making Science Accessible for All | Brooke Harvey | Hunter Science Festival 2025

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:08:14 GMT

At the Hunter Science Festival, Brooke Harvey, a PhD student at the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), welcomed visitors into the Poo Palace—a hands-on exhibit that takes people on a playful journey through the digestive system. While she spent the day guiding children and adults through foam pits, slides, and interactive explanations of gut health, her academic work focuses on something much smaller: the genetics of leukemia. Her research explores how patients develop resistance to treatment and whether that resistance can be prevented or targeted. Although not every experiment has confirmed her hypotheses, she values every result, noting that negative findings can save other researchers from pursuing unproductive avenues. She is on track to complete her PhD by the end of next year.

More Information

https://hmri.org.au/

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#110 Thirteen-Year-Old Waste Enthusiast Inspires at Hunter Science Festival | Caz Martin | Hunter Science Festival 2025

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:03:39 GMT

At the Hunter Science Festival 2025, one of the youngest volunteers stood out not just for his age but for his extraordinary dedication to waste management. Thirteen-year-old Caz Martin, a year eight student originally from Taree and now living in the Hunter Valley, has turned his fascination with garbage into a mission to make his community cleaner and smarter about waste.

More Information

https://newcastlemuseum.com.au/what-s-on/current-events/national-science-week-hunter-science-festival

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#109 Ireland’s Enduring Love Affair with the Basking Shark | Dr Simon Berrow

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:22:17 GMT

Dr Simon Berrow is a man with shark fever. He has been passionately obsessed with basking sharks since the 1980’s and he is the founder of the Irish Basking Shark Group. He has been influential in the protection of basking sharks and has successfully lobbied the Irish government to get legal protection for these ancient creatures.

He is the CEO of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and after 15 years, he finally tagged a basking shark.

More Information

https://www.baskingshark.ie/

https://iwdg.ie/

Books Mentioned by Simon

https://www.amazon.com.au/Sun-fish-Hunt-Kenneth-McNally/dp/0856400440

https://www.amazon.com.au/Harpoon-at-Venture-Gavin-Maxwell/dp/1780271808

https://www.amazon.com.au/Sea-My-Hunting-Ground/dp/1166131270

https://www.amazon.com.au/Last-Shark-Hunters-Other-Yarns/dp/1539198928

Film of Basking Sharks

https://www.canolapictures.com/about-us/

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#108 Fighting for the Future of Australia’s Quolls with Paul Revie

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:10:12 GMT

When asked about his lifelong passion, Paul Revie smiles and recalls a childhood picnic in Goomburra. At just nine years old, he watched a spotted animal leap onto the family’s table and snatch sausages before vanishing into the bush. It was only after consulting his family’s World Book Encyclopedia that he discovered the culprit—a spotted-tailed quoll. That moment sparked an obsession that has never faded.

Now an ecologist and zoologist, Paul is the founder of the Quoll Society of Australia and works with Wildlife Queensland and other conservation networks. Speaking from Brisbane, with Girraween National Park as the backdrop on his screen, he explained how quolls have disappeared from much of southern Queensland since the 1990s. “By the time I started mapping their distribution, they were reduced to just a handful of populations. Today, Girraween is the main stronghold left in Queensland,” he said.

Determined to act, Paul founded the Quoll Society with three goals: find the remaining quolls, study their ecology and threats, and take tangible conservation action. His team deployed cameras across 36 protected areas and found quolls in only three. With government funding, they went further, fitting Girraween quolls with GPS collars to track their movements. The research revealed they would not cross open areas wider than about 100 metres, even inside the national park. “It showed us how fragmented the landscape still is,” he explained.

To bridge those gaps, the Society launched a massive revegetation effort. Over two years, with the help of volunteers, they planted 39,000 trees across the Southern Downs to reconnect habitats. “It nearly broke me, but those trees are now growing well,” Paul admitted. “They are the stepping stones quolls need.”

More Information

https://www.quollsociety.org/

https://wildlife.org.au/our-work/conservation-programs/quoll-seekers-network/

https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/people/7772516

https://www.friendsofparksqld.org/

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#107 From Newsroom Deadlines to Oyster Reefs: My Life in Science Storytelling with Clare Peddie

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:27:58 GMT

Clare Peddie is a science-focused journalist and editor with 25 years’ experience, including 18 in newsrooms.

She joined The Conversation in 2023 after 16 years at The Advertiser, following earlier roles in science communication.

Her career highlights include interviews with Sir David Attenborough and Jane Goodall, and coverage of climate, drought, and renewables.

She’s proud of her work on the “I Love Murray” campaign and Adelaide’s National Park City bid, and created Good Green News to spotlight grassroots environmental efforts.

More Information

https://theconversation.com/topics/good-green-news-156369

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-peddie-74524713/

https://theconversation.com/au/environment

https://www.naturefestival.org.au/

https://www.adelaidenationalparkcity.org/

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#106 Toxic Bloom and the Fight to Save South Australia’s Coastline with Lochie Cameron

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:55:30 GMT

Lochie Cameron has devoted much of the first half of this year to monitoring and collecting valuable data related to a large, harmful algal bloom (HAB) that has infested the waters off South Australia.

His proactive work to help monitor this devastating harmful algal bloom is inspiring and heartwarming.

Not only has he contributed valuable information that scientists can use to minimise or prevent future harmful algal blooms, he has become an inspiration to young and old by his decision to do something about the disaster and not just leave it to someone else.

More Information

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-30/cooler-water-brings-hope-for-end-of-sa-toxic-algal-bloom/105351192

https://greatsouthernreef.com/2025-algal-bloom

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sa-marine-mortality-events-2025

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#105 Harnessing Citizen Science to Track Australia’s Mosquito Threats with Larissa Braz Sousa

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 01:41:21 GMT

Larissa Braz Sousa is a Citizen Science Researcher at the University of Sydney and Associate Lecturer in Animal Biology at La Trobe University.

She leads the Learning by Doing research project, exploring citizen science in schools.

Her recent research focused on a citizen science mosquito project, called Mozzie Monitors.

Larissa is a passionate science communicator, co-founder of the Great Southern BioBlitz and serves on the management committee for the Australian Citizen Science Association.

Mosquito photo credit

https://www.inaturalist.org/people/johntann99

More Information

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/mozzie-monitors-australia

https://efa.unisa.edu.au/programs/mozzie-monitors-for-citizen-science/

https://lbdscience.com/mozzie-monitors/?frame-nonce=340bab7b00

https://www.youtube.com/@learningbydoing650

https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/6391/

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#104 The Voice That Stops the World: A Life Devoted to the Curlew with Mary Colwell

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 05:50:26 GMT

The curlew is a bird that makes you stop. With its long, downward-curving bill and muted earth-toned feathers, it blends quietly into the background—until it sings. Then, its haunting, bubbling call rises like an echo from the land itself, and for a moment, everything else falls away. That sound captured Mary Colwell and never let her go.

In the UK, the Eurasian curlew graces our coastal edges in winter before returning inland in spring and summer to breed. In Australia, the Far Eastern curlew follows a staggering migratory route from the southern hemisphere to northern China. These birds connect continents with invisible threads across the skies.

But behind this grace lies a crisis. The Eurasian curlew is in serious trouble, having declined by 60% in just 25 years. In the UK, which hosts a quarter of the global population, this is a devastating figure. Curlews nest on the ground, often in active farmland, leaving them exposed to everything from tractors and silage cutters to predators like foxes and crows. Their vulnerability is compounded by human development, leaving little space for these creatures to thrive.

More Information

https://www.curlewaction.org/

https://open.spotify.com/show/0fk43VAUrwG9ukf31DHO2Q?si=46d5afb0381d484f

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#103 From Quad Bikes to CoastSnap: How Citizen Photos Are Transforming Coastal Science with Mitchell Harley

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:36:46 GMT

Mitchell Harley is a coastal researcher and the creator of CoastSnap, an innovative Aussie idea to monitor changes and save the coastline

Citizen scientists taking photographs using dedicated tripod cradles at beaches all across the world.

More Information

https://www.coastsnap.com/

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#102 Driving Citizen Science Forward from Classrooms to Conferences with Michelle Neil

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 23:23:31 GMT

The pace of change in citizen science is exhilarating, and I’ve had the privilege of being at its forefront through my roles in the Australian Citizen Science Association and the Great Southern BioBlitz. With our upcoming conference, CitSciOz25, just around the corner, there’s a renewed sense of purpose and momentum in our work.

Since the last major conference in November 2023, we’ve expanded our outreach with initiatives like citizen science corners for libraries and collaborations with groups monitoring the Great Barrier Reef. Internationally, we’ve contributed to the United Nations’ World Environment Situation Room and are preparing for potential participation in the UN Environmental Program’s next conference in Nairobi

More Information

https://citizenscience.org.au/

https://questagame.com/

https://earthwatch.org/

https://observer.globe.gov/

https://litterintelligence.org/

https://openlittermap.com/

https://www.snapsendsolve.com/

https://scistarter.org/loss-of-the-night

https://wesr.unep.org/article/citizen-science

https://www.anecdata.org/projects/view/588/about

https://map.opensourcesoundscapes.org/view-area

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2730-marine-metre-squared

https://www.cooloolacoastcare.org.au/projects/bioblitz/past-bioblitzes/bioblitz2024

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

You can email us at: info@citizenscienceshow.com

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#101 Counting for Conservation: A National Effort to Watch Over Australia’s Pelicans with Olly Pitt

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:16:47 GMT

Pelicans are not endangered, and that is precisely the challenge. Because they appear abundant, little research or funding is directed toward them. Yet on a local level, these birds suffer greatly—especially from discarded fishing gear. Volunteers and rescuers repeatedly encounter the same injuries: hooks embedded in beaks and fishing lines wrapped tightly around legs. Despite this, no national data currently exists to quantify the scale of the problem.

Pelicount represents an opportunity to change that. Participants are provided with everything they need, from a code of conduct to clear instructions on how to distinguish adult pelicans from juveniles. People are encouraged to observe waterways, boat ramps, and anywhere pelicans tend to gather. Photos are welcomed and particularly helpful when identification is uncertain.

For Olly Pitt, this is citizen science in its purest form. No academic background is required—just a willingness to observe and record. Every data point contributes to a broader picture that could help shape local policies or inspire more focused conservation efforts. While the exact applications of the data are still unfolding, she envisions maps, reports, and open access findings that empower communities to protect the wildlife around them.

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567242080891

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We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

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#100 Protect Our Sharks

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:59:53 GMT

Beneath the familiar rhythm of Australian surf lies a hidden truth: sharks are still being killed in government-sanctioned culling programs, largely out of public sight and mind. This podcast is not just a conversation, it's a collective story of awakening, resistance, and resolve.

Protecting sharks, comes at a cost. Time, energy, finances, emotional weight. Yet this is not optional, it's a responsibility that we all share. There is no single organisation driving the movement to protect sharks. Instead, it resembles a living network: divers, scientists, councils, filmmakers, researchers, and everyday citizens.

The science is clear. Shark nets do not protect swimmers. They are not barriers, but short sections of gill net, often suspended mid-water. At Bondi Beach for example, the shark net spans just 150 metres—a token gesture along a kilometre of coastline. Drum lines fare no better, indiscriminately killing sharks while also ensnaring dolphins, turtles, rays, and even whales. Worse still, these systems can increase risk. A dead animal caught in a net becomes a beacon, drawing scavengers and predators closer to shore.

The greatest danger, however, is the illusion of safety. Most Australians don’t even know these programs exist, yet they trust them implicitly.

More Information

https://www.envoy.foundation/projects/envoy-shark-cull

https://spotashark.com/

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

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#099 How to Spot a Shark with Sarah Han-de-Beaux

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:31:50 GMT

Spot A Shark remains a volunteer-powered initiative. Sarah personally covers many of the project’s expenses, alongside a small group of dedicated collaborators. The project was originally launched in 2006 with grants from Valerie and Ron Taylor and support from organisations including PADI. It uses technology originally developed by NASA to map stars, now adapted to identify individual greynurse sharks based on their unique spot patterns. These markings, along with scars, injuries, and fin shapes, form the foundation of shark identification.

The growing dataset tells compelling stories. One shark, Kim, has travelled more than 1,500 kilometres between Montague Island and Rainbow Beach. Others, such as Marcus Aurelius, reappear year after year in familiar waters. Bushrangers Bay has become a particularly well-documented site, with approximately 120 individual sharks recorded there since 2018.

Many of the sharks show clear signs of human impact. Fishing hooks, lines, and entanglement injuries are common. While some wounds heal—sometimes remarkably well—others are permanent or fatal. Legal and safety constraints often prevent intervention, and rescue attempts can sometimes cause additional harm. Even so, Sarah remains hopeful for changes such as biodegradable fishing hooks and more responsible fishing practices.

More Information

https://spotashark.com/

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

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It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

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#098 Ireland’s Pollinator Revival: From Data to Meadow Blooms with Dr. Úna Fitzpatrick

Mon, 26 May 2025 16:00:47 GMT

Dr. Úna Fitzpatrick is the chief scientific officer at the National Biodiversity Data Centre of Ireland.

She is the co-founder of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, which is a conservation initiative to protect native pollinators across Ireland.

In this episode Dani and Úna discuss the challenges of protecting habitats for native bees and how local initiatives, like the Tidy Towns competition, can help to build public support for helping native bees in Ireland.

More information

https://pollinators.ie/

https://biodiversityireland.ie/

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#097 Harnessing the Sky to Save the Giants of the Sea with Iain Kerr

Tue, 20 May 2025 05:27:29 GMT

Dr. Iain Kerr is a technology enthusiast with a love for innovation.

Together with his team of whale trackers, he has forged the way and inspired many whale researchers by flying drones through whale spouts, dropping electronic tags on whales from drones and developing new ways to disentangle whales.

More Information

https://whale.org/

https://www.facebook.com/oceanalliance/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJIHb0hi1xM

https://www.instagram.com/snotbot/

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#096 There are Zombies in your garden with Donovan Teal

Tue, 13 May 2025 02:39:33 GMT

Those of you who have seen the documentary Follow The Rain, will be familiar with the Zombie Hunter, Donovan Teal.

Donovan has since collected holotypes for sixteen new fungi species, and worked with scientists to describe them.

He is a prolific photographer and champion of the little things :)

More Information

https://earthlingcards.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/earthlingcards.bsky.social

https://www.planetfungi.movie/

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

You can email us at: info@citizenscienceshow.com

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#095 Fighting the Myths and Nets that Threaten Our Sharks with Izabela Sajdok

Mon, 05 May 2025 23:20:57 GMT

My connection to sharks began, ironically, with fear. Like many others, I watched Jaws as a teenager and internalised the narrative of sharks as killers. When I first encountered a shark—a wobbegong, calmly passing beneath me during a snorkel—it left me both mesmerised and terrified. That moment pushed me to better understand sharks instead of fearing them.

The more I dove, the more that fear dissolved. Sharks aren’t lurking monsters. They are intelligent, responsive animals with critical roles in our ecosystems. As apex predators, sharks help regulate marine life, removing sick or weak individuals and preventing overpopulation that can threaten coral reefs. Yet we kill around 100 million sharks each year, largely for their fins, often discarding the rest of their bodies while they’re still alive. This practice, driven by status-oriented demand for shark fin soup, is cruel and wasteful.

Sharks are embedded in global supply chains in ways most people don’t realise—from cosmetics to dog food to fertiliser. And much of it is hidden under ambiguous labels. The disconnect between what’s happening and what the public knows is staggering.

More Information

https://www.friendsofkurrawyba.com/

https://www.instagram.com/eyeinthewater/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557593740945

https://theconversation.com/the-untold-story-of-shark-nets-in-australia-3748

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-30/shark-nets-out-nsw-beaches-permanent-removal-marine-animals/103779608

https://hsi.org.au/marine-wildlife/sharks/

https://www.robstewartsharkwaterfoundation.org/articles/caught-documentary

https://www.instagram.com/sharkdefencecampaign/

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

Leave us a comment and share this show with your friends.

It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

You can email us at: info@citizenscienceshow.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#094 Mapping the Hidden Lives of Ocean Giants with Rob Harcourt

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 23:57:18 GMT

Emeritus Professor Rob Harcourt leads the Marine Predator Research Group at Macquarie University and Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System Animal Tracking Facility.

He is active in marine conservation, behavioural ecology of marine predators, and marine observations.

Rob uses technology to 'open a window' into the world of large marine predators and was part of the first team to successfully deploy satellite transmitters on seals, penguins, whales and sharks.

More Information

https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/robert-harcourt

https://theconversation.com/profiles/rob-harcourt-118857

https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/projects/a-national-animal-tracking-network-to-monitor-movements-of-austra

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#093 Reviving a Vanishing Giant: The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat’s Fight for Survival with Andy Howe

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:54:49 GMT

Andy Howe is helping to save a species of Australia fauna that has only 400 individuals left. This is achieved by putting aside small sanctuaries that are protected from outside interference. Data is collected within the sanctuary using various technologies, from masking tape to ground level radar systems.

Andy Howe works with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy or AWC on projects across Australia to protect these unique species.

More Information

https://www.australianwildlife.org/

https://www.australianwildlife.org/animals/northern-hairy-nosed-wombat

https://www.australianwildlife.org/news-and-resources/press-release/historic-agreement-to-protect-critically-endangered-northern-hairy

https://www.australianwildlife.org/news-and-resources/news/meet-the-people-of-awc-senior-field-ecologist-andy-howe

https://www.australianwildlife.org/news-and-resources/press-release/advanced-radar-tech-deployed-in-pursuit-to-protect-northern-hairy

https://www.australianwildlife.org/news-and-resources/press-release/stumbling-across-rare-footage-of-a-young-critically-endangered

https://www.australianwildlife.org/news-and-resources/press-release/scat-and-sticky-tape-helping-save-the-critically-endangered

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#092 Building a Nation of Biodiversity Guardians in Ireland with Dr. Liam Lysaght

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 08:43:26 GMT

Dr Liam Lysaght is the CEO of the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Ireland, and chair of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

His organisation plays a key role in mobilising citizen science data and projects with a focus on non protected habitats and species.

More Information

https://biodiversityireland.ie/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-lysaght-22875324/

https://www.gbif.org/

https://biodiversityireland.ie/surveys/butterfly-monitoring-scheme/

https://pollinators.ie/

https://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/

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#091 Connecting People and Nature Through Science in New South Wales with Dr Lynette Plenderleith

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 01:24:53 GMT

Lynette Plenderleith is the chair of the inaugural New South Wales chapter of the Australian Citizen Science Association.

She is a conservation biologist and biodiversity education specialist with expertise in communication and community engagement.

Since this episode was recorded, the decision was made not to try and compete with the Australian federal election and the ACSA-NSW launch will now be held on the 21st of June 2025.

Find out more by signing up for the ACSA newsletter at www.citizenscience.org.au/join-the-newsletter

More Information

https://citizenscience.org.au/acsa-regional-chapters/acsa-nsw/

https://citizenscience.org.au/

https://www.frogsvic.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynette-plenderleith-6144b173/

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#090 Cleaning the Wrecks: A Diver’s Mission Beneath UK Waters with Fred Nunn

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:35:50 GMT

Fred Nunn is a hero of the oceans. Working with a team of volunteers these ocean heroes engage in technically challenging dives in the waters surrounding the UK to save wildlife and remove lost fishing gear.

The removal of these dangerous marine debris - that litter the ocean - help to keep marine wildlife safe from unnecessary harm.

More Information

https://www.ghostfishing.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNh89l0CpwA

https://www.positive.news/society/meet-the-ghost-hunters-the-volunteer-divers-cleaning-up-uk-seas/

https://www.instagram.com/ghostfishinguk/

https://www.facebook.com/GhostFishingUKOfficial/

https://www.youtube.com/@ghostfishinguk5770/videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWQ2SKGc264

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#089 Restoring Nature One Forest at a Time with Anna Noon

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:30:04 GMT

Anna Noon is a passionate and dedicated advocate for social, environmental, and climate justice.

She is renowned for supporting vulnerable community members and leading impactful projects that boost the resilience and regenerative capacity of the Lake Macquarie community.

Anna is a founder of the sustainability not-for-profit The Groundswell Collective and recognised in 2024 as the Lake Macquarie Volunteer of the Year, NSW Women of the Year – Community Hero finalist, and the Taronga Hatch Accelerator Program winner.

She demonstrates her commitment to sustainability through leading inspiring, hands-on initiatives such as building tiny forests.

More Information

https://thegroundswell.org.au/

https://earthwatch.org.uk/

https://restor.eco/?lat=26&lng=14.23&zoom=3

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#088 The Discovery That Changed How We See Funnel Web Spiders Kane Christensen

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 21:57:25 GMT

Kane Christensen is a spider enthusiast and former head of spiders at the Australian Reptile Park.

While working at the park he discovered a new species of funnel web spider in the Newcastle area of New South Wales, Australia.

In recognition of this discovery and his significant work on spiders, the Australian Museum recommended that the Newcastle Funnel Web spider be named after him.

More Information

https://australian.museum/learn/animals/spiders/newcastle-funnel-web-spider-atrax-christenseni/

https://australian.museum/learn/animals/spiders/funnel-web-spiders-group/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/14/dream-come-true-for-australian-funnel-web-spider-enthusiast-after-he-discovers-a-new-species

https://www.reptilepark.com.au/about/venom-program/spider-venom-program

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#087 Fighting for the Forests: The Relentless Mission to Save Koalas with Dr Tim Cadman

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 08:06:28 GMT

Dr Tim Cadman has become one of Australia’s most determined forest defenders. His focus? Saving the region’s native ecosystems from industrial logging and exposing the quiet disappearance of koala habitats—particularly in areas no one expected.

Despite the Mid-North Coast’s reputation as a pristine haven, it is, in Tim’s words, “a battlefield.” Logging continues with alarming speed, carving into both public and private lands under the banner of industry. The proposed Great Koala National Park is being hailed by many as a long-overdue breakthrough for conservation. But to Tim, it’s a dangerously incomplete gesture.

At the heart of his concern lies a little-known truth: plantation forests—often dismissed as ecological dead zones—are, in fact, home to thriving koala populations. These zones are not included in the current park proposal. According to government estimates, between 10,000 and 12,000 koalas inhabit the proposed park footprint. Tim and his team believe there are at least 1,000 to 2,000 more living in plantation areas nearby. If logging resumes there, it could permanently wipe out 10% of the regional koala population.

“Koalas don’t care where we draw lines on a map,” he says. “They go where the food is. And right now, that includes plantations that haven’t been touched in 50 years.”

Tim’s campaign is about more than numbers. It’s about rethinking what conservation looks like in the 21st century. Instead of clinging to the idea that only untouched old-growth forests are worth saving, he argues for a broader vision—one that protects functioning ecosystems, wherever they are found.

His team’s work is equal parts science, grassroots organising, and ground-truthing. Armed with little more than GPS devices, iPads loaded with historical aerial images, and field notebooks, Tim and a dedicated network of citizen scientists are uncovering what government maps and policy documents have missed—or ignored. Their findings have consistently shown that supposed “plantation” land often includes remnant native forest teeming with life.

One of their most promising tools is a trial GPS backpack system that could allow for accurate tree-level mapping under thick canopy. If successful, it could eliminate one of the forestry industry’s key defences: plausible deniability. “No more pretending they didn’t know the koalas were there,” Tim says. “This tech could change everything.”

More Information

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EzzTU8wJCxBUnWvUBGW_A

https://greaterkoalapark.org/

https://timcadman.wordpress.com/

https://theconversation.com/a-home-among-the-gum-trees-will-the-great-koala-national-park-actually-save-koalas-217276

https://theconversation.com/profiles/tim-cadman-5896

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379163060_Koalas_Climate_Conservation_and_the_Community_A_Case_Study_of_the_Proposed_Great_Koala_National_Park_New_South_Wales_Australia

Koala Photo Credit

https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/people/bevmill

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

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It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

You can email us at: info@citizenscienceshow.com

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#086 Snails, Orchids, and the Unseen Wilderness Beneath Our Feet with Dr Kevin Bonham

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:56:05 GMT

Kevin Bonham is an expert in Australian land snails, especially Tasmanian and Victorian snails.

He is skilled at identifying Tasmanian orchids, millipedes, centipedes and some beetle groups and Bristletails, as well as marine cowries from anywhere.

Kevin is experienced in ordinal sorting of invertebrates and in Tasmanian mammal photo IDs.

He is also a curator of iNaturalist and an honorary curator at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

More Information

https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/people/kevinbonham

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#085 Listening to the Language of Birds with Professor Paul McDonald

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:23:08 GMT

From a young age, birds captivated Paul McDonald. Growing up on the South Coast of New South Wales, he was surrounded by their presence, and that early fascination never faded. Studying at the University of Wollongong gave Paul his first serious opportunity in the field—carrying gear for avian physiologists. That simple task gradually evolved into a lifelong career.

Their vocalisations intrigue Paul most. Australia’s birds are not just visually prominent; they are audibly unavoidable. Some produce melodic calls, many are raucous, but all are distinctive. Over the past two decades, recording technology has transformed dramatically. The bulky microphones and metal dishes of the past have been replaced by discreet, solar-powered recorders capable of capturing sound around the clock for an entire year.

Acoustics remain central to Paul’s conservation work. Sound is used to track breeding raptors, monitor hunger through chick begging calls, and conduct playback experiments that test avian memory and recognition. Carefully designed and ethically reviewed, these experiments reveal how birds identify one another and remember past interactions. In some species, calls are innate; in others, such as the regent honeyeater, they are learned. This poses a challenge when young birds lack elders to teach them. Encouragingly, playback training has shown promise in restoring their distinctive songs.

More Information

https://abel.une.edu.au

https://abel.une.edu.au/bioacoustic-monitoring.html

https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/faculty-of-science-agriculture-business-and-law/school-of-environmental-and-rural-science/study-areas/zoology

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

Leave us a comment and share this show with your friends.

It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

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#084 Frogs, Frequencies, and the Fight Against Invasive Toads with Professor Lin Schwarzkopf

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 23:16:18 GMT

Professor Lin Schwarzkopf is an expert on acoustic signalling, communication within various vertebrate species.

Using ecoacoustics - a powerful tool for monitoring species biodiversity within a region - Lin researches how individuals of a particular species, immersed in a cacophony of sound, communicate with each other.

More Information

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06396-0

http://vertecolab.weebly.com/

https://acousticobservatory.org/

https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?hl=en&user=fXdzNyIAAAAJ

https://portfolio.jcu.edu.au/researchers/lin.schwarzkopf/

https://vertecolab.weebly.com/lin-schwarzkopf.html

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#083 Protecting an Icon: Inside the Secret Life of the Echidna with Dr Kate Dutton-Regester

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 08:09:18 GMT

Kate Dutton-Regester is a researcher who studies the Australian Echidna.

She lectures about these fascinating animals at the School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland.

Her areas of expertise include the impact of changing climate on animal welfare, cat sterilisation programs and reproductive strategies of the short beaked echidna.

More Information

https://wildlife.org.au/our-work/conservation-programs/echidnawatch/

https://wildlife.org.au/uncovering-secrets-of-echidnas/

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#082 The Citizen Scientist Helping to Map Australia’s Biodiversity with Thomas Mesaglio

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 05:02:41 GMT

Thomas Mesaglio is a dynamic Australian curator and forum moderator of the citizen science platform iNaturalist.

He is also an engagement officer for the Atlas of Living Australia and a current PhD student at the UNSW school of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Thomas has authored over twenty publications, organised numerous BioBlitzes across Australia and in 2022 won a prestigious Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.

More Information

https://www.unsw.edu.au/science/our-schools/bees/about-us/our-people/postgraduate-research-students/thomas-mesaglio-grs-profile

https://www.instagram.com/awanderingalbatross

https://www.inaturalist.org/people/thebeachcomber

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#081 - Dr Rochelle Steven | Urban Habitats | Eco Anxiety | Nature Tourism

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 03:39:08 GMT

Dr Rochelle Steven is a conservation scientist and community outreach specialist currently based in Perth, Australia.

Her research and professional experience include working on threatened species management, the role of citizen science in threatened species conservation and in building greater community support for conservation more broadly.

Her research themes have explored issues related to human interactions with the environment, both positive and negative.

Rochelle currently works for Murdoch University where she teaches units on nature-based tourism, protected area management and conservation science.

More Information

https://www.earthlywellbeing.com.au/

https://theconversation.com/from-securing-pets-to-building-insect-hotels-here-are-7-ways-to-attract-birds-to-your-garden-247561

https://researchportal.murdoch.edu.au/esploro/profile/rochelle_steven/output/all?institution=61MUN_INST

https://ebird.org/home

https://birdlife.org.au/

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#080 - John Totterdell | Whale Killers | Orca Hunting and Social Behaviour | Humpback Calf Predation

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:18:20 GMT

John Totterdell is a marine researcher and a lead researcher in the field of marine megafauna, with a particular emphasis on orca (Orcinus orca) commonly known as Killer Whales.

In this episode, John discusses the social and hunting behaviour of these fascinating marine mammals.

He describes the relationship between Killer Whales and other sea mammals and he references his research paper:

Whale killers: Prevalence and ecological implications of killer whale predation on humpback whale calves off Western Australia

Thanks to our special guest Drew Kelly from Wild Live Media

https://www.youtube.com/@WildLiveMedia

Please be advised that this podcast episode contains some graphic descriptions of killer whale hunting behaviour which some listeners may find upsetting.

Listener discretion is advised.

More Information

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Totterdell

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#079 - Professor Sarah Bekessy | Nature Positive Urban Design | Biodiversity Council | Informal Green Spaces

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 08:55:31 GMT

Professor Sarah Bekessy leads the ICON science research group, which uses interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex biodiversity conservation problems.

Sarah is particularly interested in understanding the role of human behaviour in conservation, in designing cities to encourage ‘every day nature’ experiences and in defining and measuring ‘nature positive’ development.

Sarah also co-developed the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design Protocol.

More Information

https://biodiversitycouncil.org.au/

https://www.recetasproject.eu/

https://icon-science.org/

https://www.rmit.edu.au/profiles/b/sarah-bekessy

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#078 - Associate Professor Tanya Latty | Christmas Beetles | Invertebrates Australia

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 05:19:07 GMT

Associate Professor Tanya Latty is an entomologist from the school of life and environmental sciences at the University of Sydney with a special interest in ecology and conservation.

She is the co-founder and outreach lead of Invertebrates Australia, and is currently running the Christmas beetle project.

More Information

https://invertebratesaustralia.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/christmas-beetle-count

https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/our-research/research-areas/life-and-environmental-sciences/christmas-beetle-population-project.html

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#077 - Richard Fuller | Migratory Bird Conservation | Habitats | People and Nature

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 22:56:29 GMT

Richard Fuller is a passionate advocate for conservation.

In particular, he focuses on biodiversity and is regularly called upon to provide advice to the Australian Government on environmental issues.

Richard also studies the migratory patterns of coastal bird species travelling between Australia and Asia.

More Information

https://www.fullerlab.org

https://ebird.org/ebird/home

https://birdlife.org.au/

https://cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/

https://waders.org.au/

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#076 - Lisa Blair | Climate Action Now | Microplastic Research

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 07:58:17 GMT

Lisa Blair is an Australian solo sailor who holds multiple world records and is an advocate for action against climate change, which she promotes through her Climate Action Now project.

Lisa is the author of the book, Facing Fear, and stars in her own documentary film, Ice Maiden.

More Information

https://lisablairsailstheworld.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lisablairsailstheworld

https://m.facebook.com/LisaBlairSailstheWorld

https://lisablairsailstheworld.com/post-message

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#075 - Ted Cheeseman | Happywhale Project | Whale Identification Database

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 04:14:11 GMT

Ted Cheeseman leads one of the world’s largest Whale Citizen Scientist Projects. In fact it may be the largest Citizen Science Project for Whales in the world.

Citizen Scientist contributors around the world have been photographing the underside of the flukes of Humpback Whales for almost ten years and uploading these images to a Whale Fluke database.

Whale markings are then cross correlated with other images in the database and specific whales can be identified. This is valuable information for Whale Research scientists.

More information

https://happywhale.com/home

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/tedcheese/snapshots-at-sea-whale-identification

https://www.changingseas.tv/season-14/1402/

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#074 - David Watson | Professor of Ecology | Australian Acoustic Observatory | A20 Project

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:09:43 GMT

Tonight on the show we are talking to a Professor David Watson, an Ecologist who monitors sound in the environment for the A20 Project.

This project helps to monitor Australian ecosystems so that we can gauge the health of the environment.

More Information

https://acousticobservatory.org/

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#073 - Graham Tupper | Ecologist | Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 06:41:16 GMT

Tonight on the show we are speaking with Graham Tupper, the former Manager of the Northern Australia Program for the Australian Conservation Foundation and a former wildlife tour guide south of Canberra.

Graham is the President of The Friends of the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden Inc., a Not-for-Profit Association that works in partnership with the City of Coffs Harbour to maintain and develop the botanic garden.

Graham has been involved in projects including the Seed Bank and Fauna Survey.

More Information

https://coffsbotanicgarden.com.au/

https://coffsbotanicgarden.com.au/learn/nature-gallery/

https://coffsbotanicgarden.com.au/support/friends-of-the-botanic-garden/

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#072 - Catriona Walker | The Moth Trap | Oyster Farming in Scotland

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 21:44:46 GMT

Catriona Walker describes herself as a “grower, forager, maker, mender and mother” who lives on a tiny Scottish island in the UK.

A true citizen scientist, Catriona is making a difference in her own way, by sharing her fascination of moths that live in her backyard with the world…and it has brought awareness and attracted a surprisingly high following on Instagram.

More Information

https://www.instagram.com/clouded.silver/

https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/east-scotland-branch/budget-bucket-moth-trap

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#071 - David Trood | The Weedy Garden | Permaculture

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 22:29:20 GMT

David Trood is a YouTube sensation who inspires people to get into their garden and grow organic food.

His movie; Down the Carrot Hole, demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail in filmmaking and storytelling.

His spectacular filming techniques help people to understand the processes of nature and encourage a fruitful and thriving healthy lifestyle.

More Information

https://www.youtube.com/@TheWeedyGarden

https://www.theweedygarden.com/

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#070 - Steve Austin | Austin’s Dog Training | Conservation | Defence Community Dogs

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 06:47:50 GMT

Steve Austin has been an international dog trainer for more than 30 years and is ear marked as one of Australia's top animal experts.

He has trained animals for quarantine, search and rescue, police and wildlife preservation.

His work with canines in conservation is fascinating, training dogs to locate pest species, such as cats, foxes, rabbits and cane toads.

He has also trained dogs to locate threatened and endangered species of animals and plants, as well as introduced plants in Australia and overseas.

More Information

https://www.austinsdogtrainingeducation.com.au/about-steve-austin

https://dcdogs.com.au/

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#069 - Dr Daniella Teixeira | Acoustic Ecology | Black Cockatoo Research

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 04:56:47 GMT

Daniella Teixiera is a specialist in animal vocal ecology.

Her approach to studying Australian wildlife is to record and listen to the soundscapes created in the Australian bush.

Through her research, she hopes to bring attention to the plight of a number of endangered species, with a particular focus on the Black Cockatoo.

The sound recording at the beginning of the episode is an example of the recordings that Daniella makes in the bush.

More Information

https://www.daniellateixeira.com/

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#068 - Dr Adam Smith & Christian Bartens | MOUA | Ocean Sentinels

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:40:44 GMT

Our guests tonight are involved in an incredible underwater project that has gained a Guinness World Record, and combines art, science and humanity to protect the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Based at John Brewer Reef, the Museum Of Underwater Art has created artificial habitats that attract and provide shelter for marine species and promote coral growth and regeneration. The unique installations have created awareness for the challenges of corals worldwide and revitalized and rejuvenated areas of the reef, fostering a thriving ecosystem where corals flourish and fish thrive.

More Information

https://www.moua.com.au/

https://www.youtube.com/@moua-museum-of-underwater-art

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#067 - Kathryn Kermode | My Wild Backyard | Cool Burning

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 05:47:29 GMT

Kathryn Kermode is a true Citizen Scientist who loves Australia’s incredible biodiversity.

She shares stories on her YouTube channel of all the fascinating creatures that visit her very own garden in the Clarence Valley in NSW in Australia, which she calls her “Wild Backyard”; with a focus on the vital role that each and every one plays in the overall ecosystem and circle of life.

Kathryn has a particular passion for growing native and endemic shrubs and trees to create a haven for wildlife in her garden, providing crucial food, refuge and habitat, and shares her knowledge for attracting specific species to her viewers.

More Information

https://www.youtube.com/@KathrynKermode

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#066 - Stuart McKenzie | The Snake Catcher | Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 | Aussie Snake Wranglers

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 07:20:57 GMT

Stuart McKenzie is a licensed Reptile enthusiast, having kept reptiles for 15 years, and has been relocating snakes and other reptile species from people's homes and businesses for more than 5 years now.

As the Owner of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, he leads a team of over ten highly trained and professional snake catchers, who are available 24/7 to assist locals by rapidly and professionally catching and relocating snakes.

His business stars in the acclaimed National Geographic series, Aussie Snake Wranglers.

More Information

https://www.thesnakecatcher.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCoastSnakeCatchers

https://www.instagram.com/sunshinecoastsnakecatchers/

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#065 - Professor Michael Mahony | Frog Science | Cryopreservation

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 23:09:54 GMT

Professor Michael Mahony is a world renowned Conservation Biologist from The University of Newcastle, with decades of experience researching (and talking to) Australian frogs.

So far he has found and described twenty new frog species and contributed to the development of the first frog genome bank and cryopreservation method that may help bring frogs back from extinction.

He is a passionate educator and advocate for citizen science. In fact, one of his past students loved him so much that he named a newly discovered frog species after him called the “Mahony’s Toadlet”.

More Information

https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/michael-mahony

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael-Mahony-3

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#064 - Darlene Cavalier | Sci Starter | Science Cheerleader

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 07:26:23 GMT

Darlene Cavalier has been named a National Geographic Explorer and Fellow.

She is a professor of practice at Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society and the driving force behind SciStarter.

A Citizen Science champion, and science cheerleader, with a real understanding of the diversity of citizen science projects.

More Information

https://scistarter.org/

https://open.spotify.com/show/4N1dm7WjueDq2wIbjAuzxC

https://www.facebook.com/SciStarter

https://www.youtube.com/@SciStarter

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#063 - Maree McCarthy | Native Plant Expert | Landscape Designer | Ecologist

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:20:21 GMT

Tonight we are talking with Maree McCarthy of Nature's Magic Garden Designs based in the Hunter Region of NSW. She is one of the most knowledgeable and passionate native plant experts with over forty years of experience in creating native habitat gardens, and developing a growing wonder at the many intricate plant/animal interactions.

Marie is a native landscaper, ecologist, and dragon whisperer with many fascinating answers to the question “Why Natives?”

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/maree.mccarthy.180

https://www.naturesmagic.com.au/

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#062 - Laura Torre | Gold Coast Newborn Calf Study | Whale Research | Drone Research

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 08:44:53 GMT

Laure Torre is a conservation biologist, marine educator, and wildlife researcher based on the Gold Coast Australia.

She leads the Gold Coast Newborn Calf study, which has a large team of research assistants supporting it.

The goal of her research is to collect data to better protect newborn calves in this area, where many marine craft approach these vulnerable animals.

With a deep concern for the urgent issues of the climate crisis, habitat degradation and habitat loss, and a rapidly warming ocean, our guest, Laura Torre is dedicated to engaging young people and adults in meaningful conversations that inspire action for the planet.

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079764758215

https://www.youtube.com/@WildLiveMedia/featured

https://www.facebook.com/chris.dick.52

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CetalFauna/

Hang around until the end of the show, where citizen scientists Chris and Drew ask our guest some compelling questions about whale behaviour that they have observed while filming with drones.

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#061 - Peppie Simpson | Telepathic Communication | Whale Songs Noosa | Seismic Blasting

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 04:28:27 GMT

Peppie Simpson runs the popular Whale Songs Charter boats based at Noosa on the South East Queensland Coast of Australia,

While on the ocean she collects data and contributes to the HHR whale research organisation based at Griffith University at the Gold Coast, Australia.

Spending a lifetime with dolphins and whales has led to a fascination with animal communication and as a result she has been a guest speaker at international seminars on the topic. She has been travelling to Hawaii regularly since the 90’s to swim and learn from the spinner dolphins.

More Information

https://whalesongsnoosa.com.au/

https://www.hhr.org.au/

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#060 - Dr Kit Prendergast | Native Bee Ecologist | Taxonomist | Science Communicator

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:07:59 GMT

Kit Prendergast is a passionate native bee scientist and performer, who combines her love of wild bees and acrobatic dance to engage audiences and communicate the importance of Australian native bees.

Kit is a successful author on the topic of Creating a Haven for Native Bees and several years ago she discovered a new species of bee and named it after her pet dog Zephyr.

More Information

https://www.instagram.com/bee.babette_performer/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBeeBabette

https://www.facebook.com/groups/buzzonwildbees

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#059 - Anastasia Guise | Journalist | Ecologist | Author

Sun, 19 May 2024 17:00:54 GMT

Anastasia Guise is a grass-roots journalist, qualified ecologist, and published author.

When not writing, she works as a landcare leader in her intentional community in the Northern rivers.

Anastasia trains citizen science teams with a particular focus on forest protection.

More Information

https://anastasiadeguise.wixsite.com/author

https://firestories.com.au/

https://landcare.nsw.gov.au/groups/greater-sydney-landcare-network-inc/streamwatch/

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/conservation-programs/bionet

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#058 - Jessica Raintree | Citizen Science Enthusiast | Insect Nerd

Sun, 12 May 2024 08:00:19 GMT

Jessica Raintree is happiest when she is exploring the bush or underwater treasure hunting for cool creatures.

She has been running the Biocontrol Facility at Mooloolah River Landcare for the past five years and helps to enable citizen scientists to follow their passion through field activities.

Jessica helps members of the community take positive environmental action through projects including Trees for Resilience.

More Information

https://mrl.org.au/

https://www.facebook.com/mooloolahnativenursery

https://www.instagram.com/mooloolahriverlandcare

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#057 Whales, Science, and Seeing the Bigger Picture with Vanessa Pirotta

Sun, 05 May 2024 07:05:28 GMT

As a child, Vanessa Pirotta found inspiration in figures like David Attenborough, at a time when there were few visible role models who reflected her background. That experience shaped her commitment to visibility in science today, particularly for women and people from diverse communities. She sees representation as essential to helping young people imagine themselves as scientists.

Whales sit at the centre of Vanessa’s research because of their critical role in ocean ecosystems. Through feeding and migration, whales fertilise the ocean and support marine food webs. They also store large amounts of carbon in their bodies, contributing to climate regulation, and even in death they sustain deep-sea life through whale falls that nourish entire ecosystems.

A key focus of Vanessa’s work is understanding whale health without causing harm. She pioneered the use of drones to collect whale snot, a non-invasive method that provides valuable information about bacteria, viruses, and overall health. These samples offer a snapshot of population health over time and demonstrate how technology can reshape marine research.

During her PhD, Vanessa helped develop world-first drone designs, including a flip petri dish system that reduced contamination during sampling. This work led to the first successful collection of whale and dolphin viral samples using drones, and the methods she helped establish are now influencing research efforts around the world.

More Information

https://www.vanessapirotta.com

https://www.wildsydneyharbour.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEN8pxOh0fU

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

Leave us a comment and share this show with your friends.

It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

You can email us at: info@citizenscienceshow.com

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#056 - Kevin Deacon | Underwater Photography & Film | Dive 2000

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:29:56 GMT

Tonight’s guest has lived his passion from the age of fifteen. Little did he know, he would become an underwater photographer and filmmaker. His underwater career has spanned sixty years and he has won numerous underwater photography awards. He is also a dive tour pioneer and recently has extended his tours to include wildlife photography safaris in Africa. He was a dive centre owner and PADI dive master instructor. From Sydney Australia, welcome to the show, Kevin Deacon

More Information

https://www.dive2000.com.au/

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#055 - Daniel McCawley | Cane Toads | Clarence Land Care

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 09:08:21 GMT

It's widely believed that the Australian cane toad problem belongs to Queensland. Tonight's guest tells us news to the contrary.

Daniel McCawley trained and worked as a computer game designer but found that reality was more fun than virtual reality.

On the show, describes how the cane toads have migrated south into the Clarence Region.

His new game is being on the front line of defence in New South Wales to help eradicate the Queensland cane toad.

Are you ready to play?

More Information:

https://clarencelandcare.com.au/

https://www.feralscan.org.au/

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#054 - Dr Olaf Meynecke | Humpback Whale Research | Humpbacks & High-Rises

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 21:49:05 GMT

Today’s special guest is a marine biologist, marine ecologist and an internationally renowned whale researcher, Dr Olaf Meynecke.

He graduated in Environmental Sciences at the University of Lueneburg, Germany and then travelled to Australia and completed a PhD at Griffith University, Queensland. His PhD research focused upon the relationship between commercial fish harvesting and the environmental drivers influencing fish populations.

He is currently managing an international research project on the impacts of climate change on whales and studies the health of humpback whales primarily in south-eastern Queensland.

He is also the CEO and co-founder of Humpbacks & High-Rises Inc, a not for profit research organization dedicated to marine mammal research and protection. This organisation is supported by a number of associate Researchers and also Citizen Scientists.

More Information

https://www.hhr.org.au/

https://www.dr-olaf.com/

https://experts.griffith.edu.au/8358-olaf-meynecke

https://twitter.com/DrOlaf_

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-olaf-meynecke-8b504b39/

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#053 The Hidden World of Fungi with Catherine Marciniak and Stephen Axford

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 10:32:35 GMT

Following rain has shaped much of Stephen Axford’s life in recent years. What began as a fascination with photographing fungi gradually unfolded into something far larger, carried by curiosity, collaboration, and a growing awareness of how deeply fungi shape the living world. Alongside documentary film maker Catherine Marciniak, Stephen has spent years documenting organisms that most people walk past without noticing, yet which quietly underpin forests, ecosystems, and even human health.

Their partnership began during an ABC community project that paired personal stories with images. Catherine, working at the ABC at the time, came across Stephen’s extensive online fungi photography and invited him to take part. That collaboration led them to the Border Ranges of New South Wales, where they attempted their first time-lapse at Pinnacles Lookout near Mount Warning. Without specialised equipment, they manually pressed camera shutters for hours in stormy conditions. The resulting footage became the starting point of both a creative partnership and a long-term collaboration that continues today.

Following Rain has shaped much of Stephen Axford’s life in recent years. What began as a fascination with photographing fungi gradually unfolded into something far larger, carried by curiosity, collaboration, and a growing awareness of how deeply fungi shape the living world. Alongside documentary film maker Catherine Marciniak, Stephen has spent years documenting organisms that most people walk past without noticing, yet which quietly underpin forests, ecosystems, and even human health.

Together they made the excellent documentary film:

Follow the rain – a magical journey into the kingdom of Fungi screening.

Which is available to watch on Netflix here:

https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81903044#:~:text=Watch%20Follow%20the%20Rain%20%7C%20Netflix,English

They released a coffee table book in 2025 called:

Planet Fungi a photographers foray.

Which is available from their website here:

https://www.planetfungi.movie/planet-fungi-a-photographers-foray

More Information

https://www.planetfungi.movie/

https://www.youtube.com/@PlanetFungi

https://fungimap.org.au/

https://www.spun.earth/about/team

https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/imax-movie

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

Leave us a comment and share this show with your friends.

It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

You can email us at: info@citizenscienceshow.com

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#052 - Dr Paul Muir | Coral Reef Ecologist | Coral Bleaching | Deep Coral | Threats

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 05:47:42 GMT

Today’s special guest is a Marine Biologist, an internationally renowned Coral Reef Ecologist & Researcher, a Prawn Aquaculture researcher and a highly experienced and highly qualified Scuba Diver.

Dr Paul Muir talks about his coral reef scientific research.

Paul describes the makeup and structure of corals and comments on the latest coral bleaching event that is happening on The Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

More Information:

http://www.mesophotic.org/members/123

https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=IokNTz0AAAAJ&hl=en

https://blog.qm.qld.gov.au/2021/04/19/5-minutes-with-dr-paul-muir-research-officer-and-collection-manager-corals/

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul-Muir

https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/learning-resources/learnings/stem-careers-dr-paul-muir-marine-biologist

https://youtu.be/PtvUp4u_sks?feature=shared

Thumbnail image copyright Queensland Museum

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#051 - Gina Mascord | Swansea Channel Clean Up | Photographer | CHUG Volunteer

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 01:41:15 GMT

Gina Mascord is a true wildlife warrior and citizen scientist with a heart of gold and the patience of a saint to get the magnificent images of the underwater marine life that are dear to her heart. In this episode Gina talks about her recent experience helping to clear out fishing line from Swansea channel and offers some advice for those people who love to dive in the channel.

Gina has submitted an impressive amount of observations to nature databases:

iNaturalist

Red Map

When not planning trips or doing photography volunteers time to groups:

CHUG Combined Hunter Underwater Group

OCCI Ocean Coastal Care Initiatives

Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast

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#050 - Les Graham | EX HMAS Adelaide | Underwater Research Group | Australian Museum

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 22:28:08 GMT

Les Graham is not just living proof that a lifetime of dedication can make a difference to the environment but also to people. He started his SCUBA diving in 1958. He could not afford to buy a regulator on an apprentice wage so decided to build one himself.

Les came from England with his wife Fran as 10 Pound Poms and became dedicated SCUBA divers. In 1968 together they opened a dive centre at Terrigal Haven in New South Wales. Les and Fran were active divers and citizen scientists on the Great Barrier Reef and locally for the Australian Museum. He is responsible for positioning the anchor at Terrigal Haven and highly influential in the scuttling of the EX HMAS Adelaide.

More Information:

https://terrigalunderwatergroup.com/

https://www.urgdiveclub.org.au/

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#049 - Judy Little | Bird Banding | Hunter Bird Observers Club

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 03:58:32 GMT

Judy was introduced to birdwatching when she was a child by her Grandmother. This began a life-long love of bird watching but it wasn't until 2009 that she got her first set of binoculars.

Today, Judy holds an A-Class bird banding licence and is an active member of the Hunter Bird Observers Cub. She explains how the birds are caught and banded, what are the common threats to birds and bird habitat and the important role that bird banding plays in the scientific study of birds.

More Information

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/science-research/bird-bat-banding

https://www.hboc.org.au/

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#048 - CitSciOz23 | Lisa Evans | Astronomy Gamification | AstroQuest | ACSA

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 21:54:47 GMT

Lisa first got involved in citizen science as a project officer at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy (ICRAR) where she managed the citizen science project AstroQuest for three years.

She originally studied Astronomy, then moved into a career in 3D animation and game development. After years of working as a technical artist on animations, visualisations, games, and educational projects, Lisa became interested in “serious games” – games that have other goals than just entertainment. She has completed a PhD about engaging the public in climate change using games, and has also worked on serious game projects for organisations like the Department of Road Safety and Surf Life Saving WA.

More Information

https://citizenscience.org.au/author/lisa-evans

https://astroquest.net.au/

https://www.zooniverse.org/

https://www.icrar.org/

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#047 - CitSciOz23 | Diana Kleine | Coral Watch | University of Queensland

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 06:59:43 GMT

“Isn’t it great to have a job where you can show, and teach people about, the amazing underwater world and help to preserve it? “ Diana Kleine

CoralWatch integrates global coral health monitoring with education and public outreach creating reef awareness using simple and engaging tools. This provides people with accessible information about coral reefs and climate change, and hands-on experience collecting scientific data on coral bleaching using the Coral Health Chart.

The chart is an easy-to-use tool to quantify changes in coral colour associated with coral bleaching on the reef. It is so simple, no prior training is needed and anyone can get involved. The chart is used in the field and classroom, is available in 12 languages and data on >230.000 corals from >1910 reefs in 79 countries is publicly accessible.

CoralWatch also provides regular workshops for communities, teachers and students, and has developed a range of high quality educational materials such as books, DVD, curriculum linked lesson plans. Many of these are freely available.

More Information

https://coralwatch.org/

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#046 - CitSciOz23 | Greg Tasney | iNaturalist Tips | Importance of Practical Field Experience

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 07:19:56 GMT

Greg has recorded over 100000 observations on iNaturalist. He has a great interest in biodiversity and has become highly skilled in identifying plants in the field.

Greg and Ian discuss some tips for using iNaturalist while taking part in the Great Southern BioBlitz 2023.

They talk about the importance of practical experience and consider the role of formal qualifications in Citizen Science.

More Information

https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/people/gregtasney

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#044 - CitSciOz23 | Jessie Oliver | Australian Citizen Science Association | Executive Officer

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 23:47:25 GMT

Jessie Oliver became passionate about animals, nature, and sharing information at a young age. This has led her to embark on wild journeys both in volunteer and professional roles focused on ecology, environmental education, and wildlife conservation in California, Hawai`i, New York, and Queensland. Since returning to Australia, she has been heavily involved with the Australian Citizen science Association (ACSA) since it’s inception in 2014, and she is currently serving as the ACSA Executive Officer part time. Her experiences with citizen science also led her to take on a part-time PhD, where she is exploring the how the design of today’s technology can shape people’s experiences with citizen science, analysing audio recordings, and saving wildlife.

More Information:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessieloliver/

https://citizenscience.org.au/

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#043 - CitSciOz23 | Peter Crowcroft | PossumPete | BioBlitz Walk

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:25:46 GMT

PossumPete teaches Ian how to find critters in a live BioBlitz walk during the Great Southern BioBlitz. They don't have to walk far into the Mooloolah River National Park to find some interesting observations and interactions with nature.

Peter Crowcroft leads environmental education activities for all ages into the bush and beach of the Victorian Surf Coast to teach people about this incredible place through his eyes as a biologist and naturalist.

To see the photos that PossumPete was taking during this episode you can go to possumpete profile on iNaturalist. at the link below.

More Information:

https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/people/possumpete

https://www.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/Environmental-Education/Our-Environmental-Education-Team/Pete-Crowcroft

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/mooloolah-river/about

Photo Links

Wasp: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192759700

Huntsman: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192759701

Fly: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192759705

White-throated Honeyeater: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192771475

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#042 - CitSciOz23 | Jessica Lumbroso | Streamwatch Sydney | Water Bug Blitz | Greater Sydney Landcare Program

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 04:19:17 GMT

Jess is a highly-motivated and passionate results-driven Environmental Scientist, experienced in all aspects of project management with a focus on volunteer engagement.

She is currently coordinating the Streamwatch Program as the Local Landcare Coordinator.

Jess has a background in professional bush regeneration with 20 years experience of working on conservation projects. She also has a strong volunteering background with 20 years experience volunteering for her local WIRES branch and has been a passionate volunteer for Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue Service.

She prides herself on delivering positive business outcomes by engaging with all levels of the community.

More Information:

https://greatersydneylandcare.org/

https://greatersydneylandcare.org/streamwatch/

https://www.waterbugblitz.org.au/

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#041 - CitSciOz23 | Lila Higgins | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County | City Nature Challenge

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 05:12:53 GMT

Lila is an inspiring citizen scientist and one of the main people responsible for starting the City Nature Challenge.

City Nature Challenge

Invented by community science staff, Lila Higgins at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) and Alison Young and Rebecca Johnson at the California Academy of Sciences (CAS), the City Nature Challenge is an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities across the globe. It’s a bioblitz-style competition where cities are in a friendly contest with each other to see who can make the most observations of nature, who can find the most species, and who can engage the most people.

Started in 2016 for the first-ever Citizen Science Day, the community science teams at NHM and California Academy of Sciences dreamed up the City Nature Challenge as a fun way to capitalize on their home cities’ friendly rivalry and hold an event around urban biodiversity. The first City Nature Challenge was an eight-day competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, engaging residents and visitors in documenting nature to better understand urban biodiversity.

More Information:

https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/

https://nhm.org/

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#040 - CitSciOz23 | Hugh Pitty | Friends of Glebe Wetlands | Grey Headed Flying Fox

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 22:20:35 GMT

Hugh remembers making bow and arrow sets from Chinese privet at Devlins Creek in the Sydney suburb of Epping.

As an adult, he returned as a qualified bush regenerator, removing the Chinese privet and helping to restore the natural habitat.

Hugh is an active Citizen Scientist and his work involves being the Creative Director at Foresight Education and Design as well as a long serving member of the community based conservation group, The Friends of Glebe Wetlands.

The Friends of Glebe Wetlands Inc. is a local conservation group in Bega NSW Australia, made up of people who care for the important habitat at the Glebe Wetlands that is home to native wildlife including the Grey-headed Flying Fox.

More Information:

https://www.friendsofglebewetlands.org

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofglebewetlands

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#039 - CitSciOz23 | Lindy and Randy Orwin | Cooloola Coastcare Association Inc

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:51:10 GMT

Lindy and Randy talk turtle rescues, spider discoveries, BioBlltz, data gathering, stewardship and research.

Cooloola Coast's natural ecosystems, habitats and species thrive under the protection of residents, visitors, government, Cooloola Coastcare and its partners.

As a grassroots organisation, our Mission is to protect and restore Cooloola Coast’s species, habitats and ecosystems, for their own sake, and to enrich the lives of current and future generations .

Our stewardship includes:

Taking on-ground ACTION in nature

EDUCATING for better practices;

ADVOCATING to influence policy development, regulation, and decision-making;

RESEARCH that enlarges understanding and appreciation of Cooloola’s nature.

More Information:

https://www.cooloolacoastcare.org.au

https://www.facebook.com/CooloolaCoastcare

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#038 - CitSciOz23 | Sherry Bruce | BIEPA | Bribie Island's Dugongs

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:04:52 GMT

Sherry Bruce, a member of the BIEPA Wildlife Team, is passionate about Dugongs.

Sherry explains why these beautiful animals need our protection and why Bribie Island is one of those special places where you can see Dugongs in their natural habitat.

BIEPA's mission is to help life to flourish on our island sanctuary by:

• protecting, maintaining, and restoring the native flora and fauna on and around the island;

• monitoring and improving the natural environment, including the surrounding waters;

• influencing urban development and promoting sustainable ecotourism; and

• proactively engaging with the local community to grow our membership and raise funds and awareness.

More Information:

https://www.biepa.online/

https://www.biepa.online/post/for-dugong-lovers-this-national-science-week

https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1141828/brisbane-mascot-2032

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#037 - CitSciOz23 | Jock Mackenzie | MangroveWatch

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:20:49 GMT

Jock Mackenzie is a tidal wetland ecologist and science communicator with over 15 years experience in field ecology. About 15 years ago Jock discovered how truly amazing and useful mangroves are and since then he has developed a passion for their conservation and protection. He’s continually surprised by the fascinating complex interactions that occur in this environment and the functional benefits they provide to people in coastal areas.

Jock talks about the importance of Mangroves for the health of our oceans and as a method of carbon sequestration.

More Information:

http://mangrovewatch.org.au/

https://earthwatch.org.au/about-us/people/our-team/jock-mackenzie

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#036 - CitSciOz23 | Stuart Harris | Canberra Nature Map | Maratus Harrisi | Peacock Spider Discovery

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:20:03 GMT

Stuart took a photograph of a tiny spider in the bush land of his local Canberra and posted his image online.

Some scientists and spider enthusiasts told him that he may have found a new species of peacock spider but it could only be verified as such by finding it again.

For three years, Stuart revisited the area and eventually found the spider.

Stuart tells his story, he explains that there are so many more species to be found and that Citizen Scientist may just be the way to do this.

You can watch the documentary that tells his story at the YouTube link below.

More Information:

https://canberra.naturemapr.org/

https://youtu.be/dKgZ0ziRyow?si=6gjxj7Pn9TpxiLpF

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#035 - CitSciOz23 | Toni Massey | Senior Project Officer | Maritime Archaeology

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 06:57:27 GMT

Toni Massey is a commercially trained diver who is passionate about the possibilities of citizen science for the future of maritime discoveries. Toni explains the importance of sharing photos of corals and fishes when diving shipwrecks.

Toni uses iNaturalist to document the species that she finds while diving and encourages anybody who is in the ocean to do the same.

More Information:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-massey-7b523168/?originalSubdomain=au

https://www.des.qld.gov.au/

https://independent.academia.edu/MasseyToni

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#034 - CitSciOz23 | Alex Chapman | Australian Citizen Science Association - WA | Biodiversity Informatics Consultant

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 21:59:46 GMT

Alex Chapman was for many years a Research Scientist at the Western Australian Herbarium in DBCA’s Science and Conservation Division managing the online publications and bioinformatics group there. He is a past editor of WA’s journal of systematic botany – Nuytsia and lectured in biodiversity informatics for the School of Natural Sciences at Edith Cowan University.

In this episode, Alex emphasises the importance of Citizen Science. He explains how you can get involved by finding a local project, joining up and contributing data.

More Information:

https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/

https://citizenscience.org.au/acsa-regional-chapters/acsa-wa/

https://www.freonet.net/

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#033 - CitSciOz23 | Clare Hawkins | Bookend Trust | NatureTrackers | University of Tasmania

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 06:27:04 GMT

Clare has researched and advised on wildlife population monitoring and conservation in academic, corporate, governmental and non-governmental organisations, with a focus on mammals including Madagascar’s fossa and flying foxes, and Tasmania’s spotted-tailed quolls and devils. After nine years as the Tasmanian Government’s threatened species zoologist, and a Churchill Fellowship on citizen science, she joined forces with the Bookend Trust, to establish the NatureTrackers program and the ‘Extinction Matters’ BioBlitzes. Based at the University of Tasmania, she collaborates with individuals and organisations to coordinate and strengthen citizen science participation in mapping and long-term monitoring Tasmania’s threatened species.

Bookend Trust is a not-for-profit education initiative that seeks to inspire students and their communities with positive environmental engagement that helps make the world a better place.

More Information:

https://bookendtrust.au/about/

https://discover.utas.edu.au/Clare.Hawkins

https://extinctionmatters.au/

https://naturetrackers.au/

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#032 - CitSciOz23 | Costa Georgiadis | Landscape Architect TV Presenter

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 01:53:10 GMT

Live from the Australian Citizen Science Association Conference 2023

Costa and Ian get philosophical and discuss the importance of childhood role models.

Costa explains why it's important for adults to be role models for future generations of Citizen Scientists while Ian demonstrates an uncanny ability to synchronize with the natural world.

More Information:

https://citizenscience.org.au/citscioz23/

https://citizenscience.org.au/citscioz23/

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#031 - CitSciOz23 | Michelle Neil | Australian Citizen Science Association

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 06:13:53 GMT

Based in Australia, Michelle Neil is a co-convenor of the Australian Citizen Science Association Conference and one of the original international organisers of the Great Southern BioBlitz.

Michelle explains the importance of Citizen Science in the community, offers advice for participating in activities and talks about how she originally got involved with Citizen Science as a parent with young children.

More Information:

https://www.greynurse.com.au/

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#030 - Jeremy Day | Sea Urchin Predator Research

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 23:25:29 GMT

Today’s guest has salt water running through his veins. His Grandad was the harbourmaster at Port Kembla, New South Wales.

As a young lad he would tag along with his dad on spearfishing adventures where knowledge was passed down to the next generation.

For his PhD research, Jeremy has been dissecting the predators of urchins to learn more about their eating habits.

The results are not what you might expect.

More Information:

https://www.instagram.com/urchin_ramsey

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#029 - Dr John Keane | Sea Urchin Barrens

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 03:50:40 GMT

Today’s guest developed a love for the ocean from his home town in Port Stephens on the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

In 1998 he studied Fisheries Management at the Australian Maritime College and finished with a PhD from the University of Tasmania with a focus on the link between larval fish and the East Australian Current.

Since 2014 he has been on the front line of the dive fisheries in Tasmania working on a plan to manage the spread of sea urchins.

More Information:

https://www.imas.utas.edu.au/news/news-items/urchin-fishery-science-eating-our-way-to-a-healthy-reef

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#028 - Tony Strazzari | Grey Nurse Charters

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 04:07:07 GMT

Tony teaches and inspires new divers to explore the underwater world in search of new species. He is a former student of the legendary Neville Coleman and has been photographing sea animals for over 30 years. In that time he has observed some interesting symbiotic behaviors, explored new dive sites. He is an active citizen scientist and marine protector and an avid contributor to iNaturalist.

More Information:

https://whalespotter.com.au

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#027 - David Jenkins | Whale Spotter

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 05:03:36 GMT

David Jenkins is a professional photographer who has been captivated by the beauty and power of aquatic mammals. He works alongside scientists and researchers to document whale migration and has created a detailed online resource to help educate the public about the behavior and evolution of cetaceans.

More Information:

https://www.instagram.com/whale_spotter

https://www.facebook.com/WhaleSpotter

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#026 - Russell Hosp | Coral Nurture Program | Passions of Paradise

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 07:40:21 GMT

Fifteen years ago, Russell Hosp began working with Passions of Paradise in Cairns as a dive instructor. In 2019 he became one of the first ever master reef guides.

Russel talks about the Coral Nurture Program and what it takes to propagate coral fragments on the Great Barrier Reef.

More Information:

https://passions.com.au/eco-tourism

https://www.uts.edu.au/partners-and-community/initiatives/uts-sustainability/sustainable-development-goals/life-below-water/coral-nurture-program

https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/learn/master-reef-guides/what-are-master-reef-guides

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#025 - Marco Bordieri | Viz | Sydney Diving Visibility Reports

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 23:24:48 GMT

When Marco Bordieri came to Australia he had no idea that he would be riding an underwater scooter, GPS mapping dive sites sites, creating novelty assets for scientific research or supporting a community of over twelve thousand SCUBA divers.

If you are diving in Sydney then you should know Viz.

More Information:

https://www.viz.net.au/home

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sydviz

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#023 - Stephen Fricker | The Great Southern Bioblitz 2023 | GSB2023

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 03:07:54 GMT

The Great Southern Bioblitz is an international period of intense biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within several designated areas across the southern hemisphere in spring. To highlight biodiversity in the springtime but also to engage the public in science and nature learning using the citizen science platform, iNaturalist.

More Information about the Great Southern Bioblitz 2023

https://www.greatsouthernbioblitz.org

https://www.facebook.com/GSBioblitz

To join this citizen science project using the iNaturalist app visit: