Presentations

Jo Selleck

Wetland Plants: An Amateur's Journey of Discovery

10.30 am - 11.15 am

Jo Selleck will share her personal journey in learning about wetland plants. Like many volunteers at KES, she began with little knowledge of indigenous plants and this gradually expanded through the practical experience of working at the nursery. Also, her friends group, Friends of the Glenfern Green Wedge, works in conjunction with Council and Melbourne Water in caring for the Gilmour Park Retarding Basin and areas of Ferny Creek. She has also been a strong lobbyist for the protection of Monbulk Creek and implementation of protected riparian zones along our local waterways. This includes VCAT cases where the question of 'what is a 'waterway' has arisen. Through these experiences, Jo has come to better understand the vital and fascinating role played by wetland ecosystems. 

Nalini Scarfe

Rescue and Release: Experiences from Boobook Wildlife Shelter

11.15 am -12.00 pm

Nalini first became involved with wildlife rescue after the 2009 bushfires. In 2013 she moved into wildlife caring and then applied to become a registered rehabilitation shelter, (Boobook Wildlife Shelter) in 2014.

Nalini is also a passionate wildlife photographer and this stemmed from her volunteer role as a

wildlife rescuer. Since the wildlife shelter opened Nalini has developed a particular interest and

fascination for birds. Boobook Wildlife Shelter specialises in the care and rehabilitation of birds with a special interest in Australia’s beautiful raptors.

Nalini provides her photographic skills and photos (pro-bono) to assist in wildlife education and not for profit organisation campaigns. Her photographs have been used by Wildlife Victoria for their fund-raising campaigns and in animal studies and wildlife presentations.

All her photographs are for sale and the proceeds go towards the care and rehabilitation of wildlife at Boobook Wildlife shelter.

Jacinta Humphrey

Birds in the Burbs: Improving habitat for native birds in residental areas

1.00 pm - 1.45 pm

Dr Jacinta Humphrey (she/her) is an Urban Ecologist and Research Fellow with the ICON Science group at RMIT University. She completed her PhD at La Trobe University, where she investigated the influence of urban development on the birds that share our suburbs. Jacinta’s current work explores Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design and aims to find opportunities to improve habitat for wildlife in residential streets, urban parks, schoolyards and private gardens.