Watch

South Australia is the driest state in the world’s driest inhabited continent. The state has however, a diversity of land and seascapes from arid ranges, mallee and stony deserts, ephemeral inland rivers, wetlands and waterways, coastlines, rocky reefs and seagrass beds. It is home to Australia’s lowest lake, the mouth of the Murray and six major biodiversity hotspots, however nature in SA is under threat from habitat fragmentation, invasive species, drought, altered fire regimes and climate change. It’s estimated that 73 species have become extinct since European invasion. Currently, around 200 South Australian plant and animal species are nationally listed as threatened and more than 1000 species listed under state legislation as threatened. 

Join AEGN and conservation experts for an introduction to South Australia’s unique natural values, strategies for conservation, who’s who, and key campaigns, projects and advocacy underway to protect the state.  

SA has a small but effective and collaborative environmental sector with bold plans for the future.

Speakers

Natasha Davis

CEO Trees For Life, Chair SA Nature Alliance

Natasha Davis has been CEO of Trees For Life since 2015 and Chair of the SA Nature Alliance since 2019. She is passionate about the vital role of nature in supporting a resilient and healthy environment as well as underpinning our personal and community wellbeing. Natasha grew up in Adelaide and has worked for nearly 30 years in South Australia and the ACT in a variety of roles and sectors facilitating positive social, economic and environmental change.  Natasha is a collaborator, facilitator, strategist and change agent committed to using her skills and networks to create good outcomes – for people and planet. 

Michael Cornish  

Policy Lead, Australian Land Conservation Alliance

Michael Cornish is the Policy Lead at the Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA), Australia’s peak body for private land conservation. In this role, Michael collaborates and advocates on a wide range of Federal, State and Territory legislative and policy issues to support ALCA’s member organisations to conserve, manage, and restore nature on privately managed land. Prior to joining the environment sector, Michael’s professional experience has ranged across law, economics, international aid, academia, and Australian and international politics. Michael and his family live in the Adelaide Hills and are parochially proud of South Australia and its natural environment. 

Kirsty Bevan  

CEO, Conservation Council of SA

Kirsty is the CEO of the Conservation Council of South Australia, the Peak Body for Conservation in the state. Kirsty brings 20 years of experience in management and advocacy roles within the environmental community. She has a proven track record of building and empowering high-performing teams, fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders, and driving strategic initiatives. In her current role Kirsty plays a critical role in advocating for nature conservation with government ministers, CEOs, and industry leaders, demonstrating her deep understanding of the importance of having an independent voice for nature and creating a pathway for passionate people to work together in the pursuit of better outcomes for nature.

Alex Nankivell  

CEO, Nature Foundation

Alex has dedicated 15 years to the Nature Foundation. In the early days, he spearheaded the growth of the Foundation’s revolving fund, Bushbank SA, leading to the protection of nearly 13,000 hectares under a heritage agreement. As the Science and Knowledge Program Manager, he focused on developing science and monitoring programs and implementing evidence-based management for protected areas. Now serving as CEO, he aims to expand the reserve network, collaborate with First Nations people and volunteers to provide wildlife refugia, and contribute to the creation of resilient landscapes. Nature Foundation’s nine nature reserves now cover just over 500,000 hectares and provide habitat for 16 species that are nationally threatened. 

Photo credit: Mount Lofty Ranges southern emu wren from Nature Foundation’s Watchalunga Nature Reserve, photo by Subbu Conley.