I was lucky enough to attend the 2026 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Conservation Forum that had a focus on Conservation through Connection. This was the second research forum run by NPWS and was aimed to provide networking opportunities and a platform for staff across DCCEEW to “share knowledge and learnings, and to showcase progress in delivering priority conservation initiatives across our national parks and reserve system”. Hence, the focus was NPWS and DCCEEW staff, and there were only two academics in attendance. Although I understand the justification for this, it was a great opportunity from an academic viewpoint to hear about the diversity of research and conservation action being undertaken on NPWS estate and beyond. Fig. 1. Attendees of the NPWS Conservation Forum. Can you see the award winning recent UoN graduate now working in the EcoHealth team (Grace Johns), or Bryce Davies, or Julia Rayment – who led the phytophthora study, or Kieran Marshall – who worked with Emily on camera trapping our forests, or Dave Kelly and Sarah Bell from the Ngambaa team, or Claire and Ella who helped out with the parma translocation from Mt Wilson, or me. Lots of connections to the UoN Centre for Conservation Science. James Watson from the University of Queensland gave a keynote address and talked about his work alongside Steve Murphy on night parrot conservation. Jack Gough from the Invasive Species Council gave a great talk lamenting the lack of funding in the latest budget for invasive species management. A couple of other interesting talks: Vera Wong talked about the EcoHealth monitoring being undertaken by NPWS. This is such an important program for assessing the condition of our national parks, and will probably feed into the national State of the Environment reporting. Julie Kingswood talked about the Blue Mountains water skink that has a very similar distribution to the Littlejohn’s tree frog that we study (the skinks don’t go as far south onto the Woronora plateau), and is also affected by underground mining, subsidence and drying. Grace Hooper described the creation of artificial ponds for northern corroborree frogs, which reminded me of the ponds we created for Littlejohn’s tree frogs. Natasha Robinson talked about her work with Darren, Ryan and Shelby using drones to monitor greater gliders, and compared the results to spotlighting surveys. David Hathenbruck, who we worked with on Elise Rourke’s honours project on using dogs to find phytophthora, talked about remote sensing and drones to find weeds around the state. Unfortunately, our close collaborator, Rachel Melrose, was crook, so we didn’t get to see her talk, but Julie Kingswood took over to explain her searches for giant burrowing frogs. We also undertook a field trip to Wianamatta Nature Reserve – a reserve surrounded by the rapidly expanding human population of western Sydney. Interestingly, the reserve arose from a Department of Defence site, and the army dudes had introduced red kangaroos and emus that they captured from their activities elsewhere. The highlight for me was observing the endangered Cumberland land snail.

Check out the new Citizen Science Show's podcast featuring Dr Kaya Klop-Toker, Dr Rose Upton and Dr Alex Callen! The leaders of the Integrated Conservation Unit (ICU) discuss their multi-disciplinary approach to halt amphibian decline - including ecological restoration, reproductive science and citizen engagement in what they describe as a "One Plan" strategy for species recovery. Listen for free wherever you get your podcasts:

New publication for the Centre for Conservation Science! “Avoid Sacrificing Nature to Truly Achieve Net Zero” was published in Conservation Letters on 23 April 2026. In it, we discuss recent changes in environmental laws and how the proposal to fast-track renewable energy projects threatens biodiversity.  The current climate and biodiversity crises are interconnected, and to efficiently reach net zero targets, we need to work toward nature-positive goals at the same time. In our paper, we propose five key principles to achieve these goals: (1) plan early and strategically; (2) adhere to mitigation hierarchy; (3) design for biodiversity and monitor adaptively; (4) engage communities and custodians; and (5) align finance and policy with ecological performance.   In September 2025, proposed reforms to the EPBC Act sparked many discussions and concerns within the CCS. The intertwined fate of the climate and biodiversity crises and the need to address these together rather than in opposition were central to our discussions. We decided to address this issue in a publication under the guidance of Dr Brooke Williams.   As a PhD student in the centre, having the opportunity to lead such an important paper in this context was both a valuable learning experience and an exciting opportunity. Working with researchers across the CCS allowed us to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise. Working with Brooke’s support and alongside all contributing researchers was incredibly rewarding, and I am truly grateful to have led this paper with such a fantastic team. The wide range of expertise within the centre made this collaborative work even more enriching! We hope this work will help shape policy that supports integrated solutions to achieve both nature-positive and net zero goals.   To read our paper: https://doi.org/10.1111/con4.70046

A new PhD position studying the impact of PFAS contamination on shorebird health and behaviour is now available within the Centre for Conservation Science. Supervisors: A/Prof Geoff MacFarlane  and A/Prof Andrea Griffin . More details available here. Photo credit: Louise Williams

As we witness populations of the endangered green and golden bell frog decline across the state, maybe it's time to think about where their 'goldilocks zone' will be in the future?  Dr Alex Callen and PhD student Kate Tunstill holding the green and golden bell frog at the captive breeding facility, University of Newcastle. Yesterday,  Alex Callen  spoke to Jenny Marchant at 1233 ABC Radio about our eco-health check of the rarely monitored Muddy Lake population of this striking frog at Dora Creek in Lake Macquarie, thanks to an environmental research grant from  Lake Macquarie City Council .  You can hear it at 1:02:56. https://www.abc.net.au/.../newcastle.../drive/106293580 ... And read more about the project: https://www.lakemac.com.au/News-articles/Frog-in-agenda-for-Environmental-Research-Grants

Author: Andrew Tilley – Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management (Honours) The ecosystems present on Norfolk Island evolved under unique conditions. The island is geographically isolated, and while it is an Australian territory, it is located closest to New Caledonia (767 km to the north) and is part of the mostly submerged Zealandia continental mass. This has enabled the speciation of endemic flora and fauna. Living under the shadow of the towering Norfolk Pine, iconic fauna such as the Norfolk Island green parrot, Morepork owl, and Norfolk robin evolved in this insular ecosystem, naïve to predation by mammals. Norfolk Island National Park protects 460 hectares of the habitat of these species on the island. The Polynesian rat was introduced by early Polynesian visitors, followed by the introduction of the black rat, house mouse and domestic cat by European settlers. These phases of introduction have led to the explosive proliferation of invasive species populations throughout the entire island, including the national park. These invaders have decimated fauna populations and have led to the extinction of three endemic bird species and four subspecies, three endemic snail species and the local extinction of two reptile species. In the national park, rodent species have been a focus of management by the Parks Australia team due to their high populations and rapid reproduction rates continually posing an existential threat to birds and their nests in the national park as well as invertebrate and flora species. Baiting and other lethal controls occur intensively across the park but largely limit rodent populations rather than drive a net reduction in their population. Baiting occurs on a monthly rotational basis within six sectors or ‘baiting catchments’.  While populations of feral cats are known to prey on native bird species, their role in limiting rodent populations on Norfolk Island is less understood. By modelling the spatial ecology of feral cats in the national park, we may be able to understand how feral cats respond to changes in the distribution of the rodent population in response to periods of baiting and significant seasonal variations in rainfall. Such information may inform the management of invasive rodents as well as the feral cats themselves. My honours project aims to utilise a gridded array of 51 camera traps, deployed since July 2024 across the national park to model the occupancies of rodents and cats and population density of feral cats in the national park. I am aiming to produce models for each month of the camera trap deployment to examine the impact of monthly baiting rotations and seasonal rainfall variations. By comparing the occupancies of rodents and cats in the national park, I may be able to develop an understanding of the interspecific dependence of feral cats on rodents, providing an insight into the nature of the predator-prey relationship in the national park. Additionally, the development of an accurate population density model is likely to contribute toward a more detailed understanding of the spatial ecology of feral cats in the park, which may inform their effective management.  My results may require the consideration of the top-down or bottom-up population control factors in future invasive species management measures. Additionally, an accurate population density model may inform the targeted management of feral cats in Norfolk Island National Park. I have just concluded my field trip to Norfolk Island to collect all 51 camera traps. All images have been downloaded and backed up, and I am utilising the artificial intelligence model integrated within Wildlife Insights ( www.wildlifeinsights.org ), developed by World Wildlife Fund and Google to assist in the identification of species and in filtering out blank photos. During this process, I have sighted several photos of cats preying on rats and have produced rare photographic evidence of feral cats preying on seabirds on Norfolk Island. In these images, a white tern and a black-winged petrel have very clearly been predated on by a feral cat. The camera trap which captured these images was located to the north of the island, where there is relatively high seabird activity. These images reinforce the need for the effective management of feral cats in the national park, to protect the seabird populations on the island, but also for the responsible ownership of cats as pets, as domesticated free-roaming cats can also endanger native bird species. The unique ecosystems on Norfolk Island are incredibly important breeding grounds for seabirds in the Pacific. It is therefore troubling to find evidence of their predation by feral cats. These images reinforce the necessity for developing a greater understanding of the population dynamics of rodents and feral cats in Norfolk Island National Park so that the unique flora and fauna that remains can continue to exist on Norfolk Island.   This project was funded by the Commonwealth government through the National Environmental Science Program’s Resilient Landscapes Hub.

Matt Hayward My favourite conservation science-related song is a version of a Cold Play song that emphasises we should base our conservation decisions on evidence rather than what supports our preconceived ideas or feelings. This was brought to my attention having faced vitriol from eminent scientists during the debate about the quality of evidence associated with claims that dingoes control foxes and cats 1,2 . Viva La Evidence - James McCormack Jacob Jones My favourite conservation songs are Let the Franklin Flow  by Goanna, and Kimberley  by John Butler. These songs represent my two favourite things: nature and acoustic guitars. I have always had a love for songs that focus on storytelling and do believe that music has the power to change social perceptions and draw attention to import issues like the conservation of Australia’s nature in all its unique beauty. I present no empirical evidence of my belief that music has a role to play in conservation, other than a really strong hunch. Let the Franklin Flow - Goanna Kimberley - John Butler   Michelle Hession When I was about ten years old the Counting Crows’ version of Big Yellow Taxi was released (originally recorded by Joni Mitchell in the 1970’s) and I remember looking around at my neighbourhood and realising for the first time that it was all once bushlands. That beautiful forests like those we hiked in on the weekends had been cleared so I could have a house, a yard, a school and shops. They were simple lyrics, but they hit the young version of me hard and likely contributed to my interest in sustainable development and conservation. Big Yellow Taxi - Counting Crows Finella Dawlings My favourite conservation related songs are Yurala  by a group called Spinifex Gum, and Come Along  by Cosmo Sheldrake. They represent two of my greatest passions – protecting nature fiercely, and appreciating the joy and relief nature can bring us in our capitalistic society. This kind of music provides me an outlet for all the feelings that loving nature evokes in me in today’s world – awe, joy, curiosity, as well as sadness, grief and anger. Yurala - Spinifex Gum   Come Along - Cosmo Sheldrake Alex Callen We learn so slowly ( Saltwater , Julian Lennon, 1991 ), we are so enamoured with the shiny, and environment only seems to win when it is sexy or cool. We drop it when it is an inconvenience to us ( Brazil , Declan McKenna, 2014 ), and greenwash nearly everything ( Greenwash , MDC, 1993 ). Just like Compassionate Conservation 3 . Saltwater - Julian Lennon Brazil - Declan McKenna Greenwash - MDC References 1            Hayward, M. W. & Marlow, N. J. Will dingoes really conserve wildlife and can our methods tell? J. Appl. Ecol.   51 , 835-838 (2014). 2            Hayward, M. W.  et al. Ecologists need to use robust survey design, sampling and analysis methods. J. Appl. Ecol.   52 , 286-290 (2015). 3            Callen, A., Hayward, M. W., Klop-Toker, K., Allen, B. L., Ballard, G., Beranek, C. T., ... & Wüster, W. Envisioning the future with ‘compassionate conservation’: An ominous projection for native wildlife and biodiversity. Biological conservation , 241,  108365 (2020).

Author: Sailendra Raj Giri Dashain: A Tapestry of Memories and Meaning Even 12,000 kilometres away from home, the sounds of my childhood linger in my ears—the jubilant cries of changa chait as kites soared into the sky, the rhythmic clatter of dice rolling inside a mug, and the ecstatic cha cha huiieee of children on the towering Linge Ping, a swing mounted on four sturdy bamboo poles. The divine sound of the shankha and ghanta, the aromatic scent of Gokul dhup (incense), marigolds in full bloom, and golden paddy fields swaying in the breeze—all seem to whisper the spirit of Vijaya Dashami, or Bada Dashain. And the Malashree Dhun, a melody inseparable from the festival itself, lingers in my heart, weaving nostalgia and joy into one vivid tapestry. Dashain is more than a festival; it is an emotion, a bridge between past and present, a celebration of family, friendship, and community. It rejuvenates the spirit, strengthens bonds, and inspires one to be better, to grow, and to cherish every shared moment. My Father Blessing me with Tika and Jamara during last years Dashain The Triumph of Good Over Evil The festival is rooted in the eternal story of courage and justice. Mahishasura, a demon empowered by the boon of invincibility, terrorized the cosmos, confident that no man, God, or animal could defeat him—except for women, whom he underestimated. In response, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwor pooled their divine energies to create Goddess Durga, a ten-armed warrior riding a lion, blazing with courage and strength. For nine nights, Goddess Durga battled Mahishasura, adapting as the demon changed forms, until on the tenth day, she triumphed. This victory symbolizes not only the ultimate triumph of good over evil but also the power, wisdom, and strength of women—a lesson etched into every ritual and celebration of Dashain. Rituals, Culture, and Joy Dashain unfolds over fifteen days, beginning with Ghatasthapana, when barley seeds are sown in the Jamara Ghar, sacred vessels are placed, and mantras chanted to invite the goddess. The first nine days, also called Navaratri, are celebrated by worshiping the nine forms of Durga—Shaila Putri, symbol of strength and purity; Brahmacharini – representing wisdom and spiritual knowledge; Chandraghanta – bravery and grace; Kushmanda – the synonym of energy and vitality; Skandamata, embodying courage and righteousness; Katyayani – the one who offers blessings for harmony and peace in life; Kalaratri – the one who protects from evil and grants inner strength; Mahagauri – symbol of new beginnings; and Siddhidatri – the ultimate form of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, in succession. The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Days are the most celebrated and special days. Devotees visit the various Shakti Piths—Goddess Durga temples—and pray for themselves and their family’s wellbeing, peace, strength, and courage. The 7th day is Phulpati, which is celebrated by offering flowers and various plants to Nava Durga in the Jamara Ghar. The 8th and 9th days – Mahastami and Mahanawani – are marked by offering sacrifices to Durga. During these days, people also worship their tools and vehicles. These are the days that include worshipping, family time, fun, and joy. In terms of food, Dashain is much more about meat; a variety of meat delicacies are prepared and enjoyed. On the 10th Day, called Vijaya Dashami, the eldest family member offers the Tika (rice grains mixed with red powder (Abir) and curd) and Jamara as blessings of Goddess Durga. After this, many people visit their elderly relatives to receive the Tika and Jamara as blessings. The festival is marked by unity, eternal bonds, and memories. Jamara and Devi Puja Unity in Diversity Across Nepal, Dashain takes many forms. As Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-linguistic country, the way Dashain is celebrated might change slightly among different communities. The Newars celebrate with elaborate Devi Puja rituals, while Tharus and other indigenous communities weave in local music, dance, and games. Yet, despite these variations, Dashain unites the nation, fostering reconciliation, sharing, and social cohesion. It is a festival of connection, reminding us that community, kindness, and respect are at the heart of Nepali life. Dashain Beyond Borders Globalization and migration have transformed Dashain for the Nepali diaspora. Families abroad recreate the festival, adapting rituals to new environments. Some travel across continents to celebrate together; others use technology to share blessings and prasad virtually. Even far from home, the spirit of togetherness, devotion, and cultural identity remains unbroken, proving that Dashain is not confined to geography—it lives in hearts and traditions wherever Nepalis are. A Call for Courage and Peace In challenging times, such as this year, which saw a people’s uprising turning into violent protest and unrest, several lost their lives and property worth billions damaged. May this Dashain remind all Nepalis of Durga’s teachings: courage, wisdom, and the triumph of good over evil. May the Goddess Durga bestow her grace on every Nepali to strengthen relationships, uphold justice, and nurture peace. Through unity, respect, and resilience, we honour the festival’s deepest message: to live with strength, compassion, and integrity, ensuring that the light of Dashain shines even in the darkest times. Happy Dashain 2080 Bikram Sambat! Flying a Kite during Dashain

Author: Yamil Di Blanco I recently had the unique opportunity to spend a full month living and working at the Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary, of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), located in the remote and mountainous regions of northeastern Australia. My time at the sanctuary was part of a broader international collaboration focused on the conservation of threatened species, and in this particular case, involved fieldwork with two key species: the endangered Sharman’s Rock Wallaby ( Petrogale sharmani ) and the Northern Bettong (Bettongia tropica ). View of Mount Zero-Taravale Sanctuary 1. Monitoring Sharman’s Rock Wallaby I assisted in retrieving camera traps that had been deployed more than a month earlier to monitor the activity and presence of wallabies in remote parts of the sanctuary. We also collected scat samples (feces) for future genetic analysis, which will provide essential data on population structure, genetic health, and connectivity among fragmented groups. I also assisted in processing the camera-trap photographs using the software Timelapse (Version 2.3.3.3), identifying species and tagging photos. Camera-trap used for the monitoring of Sharman's Rock Wallabies Belt container in front of camera-trap used for monitoring Sharman's Rock Wallabies Scat survey of Sharman's Rock Wallabies One of the most memorable aspects of this experience was the extreme remoteness of the survey areas. The habitat of the Sharman’s Rock Wallaby is so inaccessible that we had to be transported by helicopter, followed by long and strenuous hikes through rugged, rocky terrain. Each day brought both physical challenges and deep rewards, offering us the chance to observe unique ecosystems and species that few people ever get to see. A particularly special moment was being able to spot and photograph an individual Sharman’s Rock Wallaby in the wild—an incredible privilege, given how elusive and threatened this species is.   Posing Sharman's Rock Wallaby, taken during the survey 2. Pitfall Trap Maintenance for Herpetofauna Monitoring I collaborated in inspecting the network of pitfall traps installed across the property for future reptile and amphibian surveys. Although these traps are currently inactive, they are scheduled to be reactivated in the near future. Our task involved reviewing their condition, ensuring they remain functional and safe for upcoming monitoring efforts. This preparatory work is essential for maintaining effective sampling infrastructure and supporting long-term biodiversity assessments.  Pitfall trap installed for future reptile and amphibian surveys 3. Bettong Enclosure Maintenance and Monitoring: I participated   in repairing parts of the predator-proof fence, which had been damaged during the most recent flooding event. Maintaining the integrity of this fence is critical to ensuring the safety of reintroduced populations from invasive predators like cats and foxes. We also conducted recovery of traps previously installed inside the enclosure to monitor bettong movements and overall health. These traps are a vital part of the monitoring program, allowing to track individual animals and evaluate the success of reintroduction efforts.  Fencing repairs Bettong traps recovered from the field I am deeply grateful to the entire team at the AWC for welcoming me and generously sharing their expertise, infrastructure, and passion for wildlife conservation. I also thanks CONICET and the School of Environmental and Life Sciences of the University of Newcastle for making this exchange possible. I am especially grateful to “Flick” L’Hotellier, “Macca” McAllister, and their daughters Billie and Brim, who made me feel truly welcome in this corner of the world.

By Michael Mahony Figure 9. Images in life of Amnihyla This document presents a comprehensive phylogenetic revision of the Pelodryadidae family of Australo-Papuan hyloid frogs, addressing the historical instability and contentiousness of their generic classification. Using extensive mitochondrial and phylogenomic DNA datasets, alongside morphological, acoustic, and life history data, the authors established a well-resolved phylogeny for the family. This robust framework allowed for the reclassification of the 233 species from three genera into 35 distinct genera, resolving the long-standing issue of the paraphyletic genus Litoria and reinstating the distinct generic status of Cyclorana and Nyctimystes. The new classification provides a stable and functionally valuable taxonomy for a wide range of scientific and conservation applications. Listen to the summary of the paper below: https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/A4ZQWfeh79PGZfrTNwZT8BvX Or read the paper for yourself:

Author: Kaya Klop-Toker Recent rains and cold winter temperatures were the likely catalyst for successful breeding in the Centre for Conservation Science’s Littlejohn’s tree frog captive colony last week. The colony, which has been housed at UoN since 2022, were moved to outdoor tanks for the first time this winter. Shortly after, two pairs of endangered Littlejohn’s tree frogs produced large, healthy-looking clutches of successfully fertilised eggs. This is the first time that the colony has breed since 2022, and only the second time this species has ever been bred in captivity. This captive breeding colony not only aims to produce animals to be released into the wild but also seeks to restore genetic diversity to inbreed wild populations. Furthermore, systematically pairing frogs from different populations for breeding, will allow the research team to test which crosses produce the healthiest offspring. As inbreeding can have negative health impacts and lead to poor reproductive fitness, restoring genetic diversity through a process called “genetic rescue” is a critical step in improving the health and stability of wild populations. There is still a lot of work to be done, but for now, the team is excited to introduce dozens of new eggs and tiny tadpoles to the world! Amplecting pair of Littlejohn's tree frog New eggs!

Matt was recently hosted my Mark Kyle on his TheFurRealPodcast where he talked about quokkas as the happiest animal in the world and a range of other conservation issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obV6S6heiRE