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A Message From Our Executive Director
I hope everyone has had a wonderful start to the year and found time to recharge and connect with loved ones over the break. As we step into 2025, I have reflected on the incredible work and milestones we’ve achieved together at the Environment Institute. The past year has been filled with groundbreaking research, meaningful collaborations, and exciting opportunities to connect with our community and stakeholders.
Looking ahead, we're gearing up for an event on Wednesday February 19. The Environment Institute is hosting a screening of an episode of the ABC series Eat the Invaders followed by a panel discussion. You can register now to join us and other partners from the series at this free event. We will delve into the critical issue of invasive species and their impact on Australian biodiversity. Featuring a fantastic lineup of expert panelists, the evening promises fresh ideas, thought-provoking dialogue, and fascinating insights.
In 2025 we remain focused on advancing environmental research and fostering impactful collaborations. Your support thus far has been critical to our shared mission of addressing global environmental challenges. In 2025, we’re especially excited to focus on being more engaged with you, the members of the Environment Institute. Your voice matters, and we want to hear your thoughts. If you have feedback, suggestions, or ideas for what you’d like to see in this newsletter, please don’t hesitate to share. Together, we can ensure we’re covering the issues and topics you care about most.
We’re also thrilled to welcome some new faces to the Environment Institute team. Please join me in welcoming Monica Nunn (Senior Administrator), Marilia Belperio (Marketing and Communications Officer), and Jennifer Ross (Research Impact Officer) joining Institute Manager, Dr Marina Delpin. Their expertise and enthusiasm are sure to strengthen our work and inspire new ideas.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Prof. Andy Lowe
Executive Director,
Environment Institute
Upcoming Events
Eat the Invaders
The Environment Institute is delighted to invite you to a special screening of Eat the Invaders, followed by an interactive panel discussion and Q&A on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, at The University of Adelaide.
Location: The Bragg Lecture Theatre, The University of Adelaide
Doors Open & Pre-Screening Mixer with Catering: 5:00 pm
Screening Starts: 5:30 pm
Q&A Discussion: 6:15 – 7:15 pm
- (MC) Professor Andrew Lowe – Executive Director, Environment Institute, University of Adelaide
- Jaana Dielenberg – Communication and Engagement Manager, Biodiversity Council
- Dr. Alexandra Ross – Ecologist, Australian Wildlife Conservancy
- Professor Phill Cassey – Head of the Invasion Science and Wildlife Ecology Group, Environment Institute, University of Adelaide
Research Tuesdays
A public lecture series from The University of Adelaide.
Preserving Biodiversity
Biodiversity loss is a crisis we can’t ignore. It threatens clean air, water, and food; fuels natural disasters; and allows invasive species to drive native mammals to extinction. It puts iconic animals like koalas and wombats at risk.
How do we best control these invasive species––and how can science advances help?
University of Adelaide researchers are taking action. They’re tackling wildlife crime, shaping policy, and using DNA editing to fight invasive species.
Join us in February to support their mission.
Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Time: 5.30pm
WOMADelaide
The Environment Institute will be presenting The Planet Talks Daily Program on Sunday 9 March.
1:00 pm - "Back from the Brink" with speakers Andry Sculthorpe, Cissy Gore-Birch OAM, Katherine Moseby and facilitated by Professor Andrew Lowe.
3:00 pm - "Adapt or Collapse?" with speakers Bhiamie Williamson, Elizabeth Mossop, Emma Bacon and facilitator Julia Lester.
Location: Frome Park Pavilion, in Adelaide’s Botanic, Park / Tainmuntilla.
Research Excellence
Stay up to date with our most recent research excellence via the Environment Institute Blog!
FAME Strategy Sustainability 2024 Annual Report: Out Now
When the invaders are locked out: bringing back threatened native species in outback Australia
Mosquito Control and Ecosystem Health: Insights from Prof. Philip Weinstein
Exposing Gaps in Wildlife Trade: 30,000 Species Traded in the U.S. Without Global Oversight
Is Explainable AI (XAI) in Hydrology Living Up to the Hype?
Sprigg Ediacaran Fossil Collection Recognised by the International Commission on Geoheritage
A walk in the park? The park systems that help shape our cities, cultures, and civic identities
Celebrating Australia’s Remarkable Echidnas and Citizen Science
Citizen Scientists: the willing and able who are helping drive research forward
Sea Snakes Regain Colour Vision: A Fascinating Evolutionary Discovery
Eat The Invaders: Available For Streaming Now
Booms, Busts, and Breakthroughs: 30 years of Science at Arid Recovery
Research Opportunities
Australian Geographic Awards for Nature 2025 | Australian Geographic Society
First round applications (EOI) open 6 January and close 21 February 2025.
Up to $50,000 of funding will be awarded to projects tackling the major urgent issues, including:
- Biodiversity loss
- Feral invasive species: plants/animals
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Nature based climate change mitigation
- Natural disasters resulting from climate change
- Pollution, marine and terrestrial
Equity Trustees | Small Grants Program
2025 Grant Round opens 20 January 2025 and closes 17 February 2025
(5:00 pm AEDT).
The Small Grants Program is focused on ensuring communities are resilient in the face of social, economic, and environmental change and local support networks are accessible and effective. A strong local community creates better outcomes for all.
Purves Environmental Fund
EOIs are now open for funding across the following focus areas:
- Degradation of key biodiversity habitats
- Unsustainable management of natural resources
- Pollution
Nominations now open for the 2025 SA Environment Awards! The University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute is proud to partner with Conservation Council SA, Green Adelaide, and the Department for Environment and Water to present the 2025 SA Environment Awards.
These prestigious awards celebrate the individuals, groups, and organisations dedicated to protecting South Australia’s natural environment. With six award categories, including the Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection and the new Innovation Award, the program highlights the incredible efforts of those working to restore landscapes, champion biodiversity, and build a sustainable future. Past winners include inspiring researchers such as our very own Environment Institute member Dr Dominic McAfee, community groups, and advocates who have made meaningful contributions to our environment.
Nominations are now open and close at 5:00 pm on Friday, 14 March. Winners will be celebrated at the awards ceremony on World Environment Day, 5 June 2025!
Let’s recognise and celebrate South Australia’s environmental champions together!
EcoFuturists – Listen Now
Episode 14: Citizen Scientists: the willing and able who are helping drive research forward.
A delightful conversation with Dr Erinn Fagan-Jeffries and Professor Frank Grutzner about the lessons learned in the evolution of Citizen Science projects, echidna poo, and a new insect named ‘Oreo’.
Episode 15: A walk in the park? The park systems that help shape our cities, cultures, and civic identities.
Joined by Matthew Skjonsberg, Director of the Praxis Institute in Switzerland, and author of Living Cities: Three Centuries of Years of Park Systems, to explore the rich cultural history of park systems, as well as the challenges facing people in their stewardship of both cities and parks moving forward.
Episode 16: When the invaders are locked out- bringing back threatened native species in outback Australia.
Katherine Tuft and Nathan Manders of Arid Recovery, an independent not-for-profit advancing conservation science for Australian threatened species in Roxby Downs, South Australia. They explore the challenges and wins of the 25 years of Arid Recovery’s existence, and explore ideas for
the future of conservation in the world’s arid lands.
Episode 17: Communicating Science in a post truth world
How do we ensure that the scientific ‘fact’ we’re consuming is, in fact, truthful, and how do we get science fact out there? In this episode Sarah Keenihan, science communicator and ex-The Conversation editor, gets real about cutting through the noise and identifying trustworthy science in a post truth world.
Feedback and Submissions
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The Environment Institute
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The University of Adelaide
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E: environment@adelaide.edu.au
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