Richard Swain
Indigenous Ambassador at the Invasive Species Council

Richard Swain grew up in the Snowy Mountains with connection to Country. A Wiradjuri man, his father taught him the history of the Australian landscape, and his grandfather taught him how Aboriginal people moved through and respected country.

Richard works as an indigenous river guide, running his own ecotourism business in Kosciuszko National Park. He recently co-directed the Where The Water Starts environmental documentary.

He has a long history of volunteering on local environmental and community projects and has a first-hand understanding of the huge impact feral animals are having on Australia’s natural environment.

As an ambassador for the Invasive Species Council, Richard helps raise the profile of the role Indigenous people have in caring for country, and protecting it from invasive species. He uses his experience and networks to make tackling invasive species a top priority for communities.

Richard has also been instrumental in the fight to protect Kosciuszko National Park from the destruction caused by feral horses. He was a founder of the Invasive Species Council’s influential Reclaim Kosci campaign, which campaigns to overturn legislation and policies that protect destructive feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park.

Richard is also the program lead of the Voice of Country campaign which aims to create a broader culture of connectedness and acceptance of our role as custodians, which he believes is fundamental to healing country and protecting our native species.

Richard is an Hon Associate Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Science.