CANBERRA — Every October, as the days warm and the rains replenish wetlands, a dedicated group of citizen scientists in the Australian Capital Territory (A.C.T.) and its surrounding region embarks on a mission to save the frogs. Led by morphologist and behavioral ecologist Anke Maria Hoefer, the FrogWatch program has been empowering ordinary people to…
In early 2025, vast stretches of South Australia’s coast began to turn silent. Marine life washed up on beaches in unprecedented numbers—sharks, rays, sea dragons, and fish lay lifeless along the sand. Beneath the surface, the ocean floor transformed into a desolate wasteland. At the center of the response was Lochie Cameron, a marine observer…
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 me and never let go….
Michelle Neil has been at the forefront of Australia’s citizen science movement for years, and her enthusiasm has only grown. Through her roles with the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA) and the Great Southern BioBlitz, she has helped the movement grow into a dynamic, inclusive space for researchers and everyday people alike. She spoke about…
When Ted Cheeseman first visited Antarctica in the early 1990s, the seas were eerily quiet. Once teeming with whales, the waters around South Georgia had been emptied by whaling decades earlier.
Darlene Cavalier’s childhood in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, unfolded along the banks of the Delaware River. The outdoors was her playground—swimming at low tide, discovering lost treasures among the honeysuckle, and soaking in the rhythms of nature. Though her mother, a single parent and future nurse, wasn’t steeped in science, she encouraged curiosity. That encouragement would become…
Tim’s first memory of environmental destruction is vivid. As a child growing up in the UK, he watched bulldozers level the forest at the end of his street. It was a defining moment—not just of grief, but of clarity. From that day on, the trajectory of his life shifted. Years later, he moved to Australia,…
At first glance, the concept of a tiny forest might seem like a contradiction. But for Anna Noon, it’s a powerful tool for regeneration—of ecosystems, communities, and even hope. Anna, founder of the not-for-profit The Groundswell Collective and 2024 Lake Macquarie Volunteer of the Year, discovered tiny forests in 2019 during a period of deep…
Associate Professor Tanya Latty has spent her life captivated by the wonders of insects. From her childhood days chasing critters to her current role at the University of Sydney, Tanya’s passion for ecology and conservation has defined her career. Yet, her path to entomology wasn’t straightforward.
I recently had the pleasure of talking with Catriona Walker – on the Citizen Science Show Podcast – a remarkable individual who lives on a small Scottish island. In our podcast discussion, I discovered a fascinating story of passion, sustainability, and scientific curiosity that transcends the rugged beauty of her surroundings.
Marine researcher John Totterdell has dedicated his career to studying killer whales, or orcas, focusing on populations off the West Australian coast. With decades of fieldwork, he has illuminated their intricate social structures, opportunistic hunting behaviors, and critical role in marine ecosystems.
When I sat down to speak with Thomas Mesaglio – on the Citizen Science Show Podcast – his enthusiasm for the natural world was immediately apparent. A lifelong nature lover, he has turned his passion into a career that blends citizen science with professional research. As a curator and moderator on iNaturalist, an engagement officer for the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), and a PhD student at the University of New South Wales, Thomas has dedicated himself to improving the way we document and understand biodiversity.
