For more than three decades, Graeme Sawyer has been one of the Northern Territory’s most recognisable voices in citizen science and environmental education.

A former Lord Mayor of Darwin and founder of Frogwatch NT, Graeme has spent much of his life connecting people — especially children — with the wildlife of the Top End. But alongside the wonder of frogs, wetlands and night walks has come another story: the slow devastation caused by invasive cane toads.

Building Frogwatch Through Citizen Science

Graeme’s path into frog conservation began while developing one of Australia’s earliest multimedia wildlife databases alongside colleague Ian Morris.

The project was initially designed for schools and Indigenous communities, helping children identify native animals through photographs and recordings. What emerged was something much larger.

“We didn’t know much about frogs or their distribution or anything else in the NT at that point in time,” Graeme said.

Frogwatch NT soon evolved into a community-driven citizen science initiative aimed at documenting frog populations and monitoring the spread of chytrid fungus, a deadly amphibian disease threatening frogs globally.

The program quickly demonstrated the power of community observation.

One evening, university student Jeanne Young arrived at a Frogwatch session carrying a recording of an unidentified frog call. Days later, the group tracked the sound to the Howard River floodplains and discovered what would become the Howard River Toadlet (Uperoleia daviesae), a species previously unknown to science.

For Graeme, the discovery reinforced the importance of public participation in environmental research.

“It showed me again the value of citizen science — getting the eyes and ears of people tuned into their local environments,” he said.

More Information

https://watergum.org/tadpoletrapping/

https://biodiversitywatch.org.au/?action=main.default&mobile=false

https://www.facebook.com/frogwatch.nthaustralia

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At just fifteen years old, Spencer Hitchen has become one of Australia’s most recognisable young conservation voices — not through political slogans or social media trends, but through patient observation, powerful photography, and an unwavering commitment to protecting nature.

From the Wallum woodlands of Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Spencer has transformed a childhood fascination with glossy black cockatoos into a global conservation movement. Along the way, he has launched World Stand Up For Nature Day, contributed to campaigns influencing environmental protections, produced award-winning wildlife photography, and inspired thousands of young people to reconnect with the natural world.

But for Spencer, the journey began with a single bird.

Falling in Love with the Glossies

Spencer was only six years old when he first joined a local environment group and met a conservationist known as “Glossy Bob”, who had spent more than two decades observing glossy black cockatoos in the Noosa region.

Together, they would visit a local waterhole where the cockatoos gathered each evening.

Spencer quickly became captivated by the birds — their calls, their behaviours, and the fragile ecosystem that sustained them.

“I just fell in love with them,” Spencer said.

More Information

https://www.instagram.com/savesunriseglossies/

https://www.savesunriseglossies.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/savesunriseglossies

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Scientists map the ocean’s most critical shark and ray habitats in a race against extinction

Marine conservationists around the world are racing to identify the ocean habitats most critical to the survival of sharks and rays before it is too late.

At the centre of that effort is the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project, a global initiative led through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group. The project aims to pinpoint the breeding grounds, feeding hotspots and migration corridors essential to sustaining shark, ray and chimaera populations worldwide.

For Dr Rima Jabado, chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group, the project represents a major shift in marine conservation thinking.

“It’s not just about protecting the species anymore,” Rima said. “It’s about identifying the places in the ocean that are most important for those species to survive.”

Joining Rima on the Citizen Science Show podcast was marine scientist Dr Asia Armstrong, whose work in spatial ecology and threatened species conservation has made her a key contributor to the project.

Together, the pair described an ambitious global effort built not only on science, but also on the observations of ordinary ocean users.

More Information

https://sharkrayareas.org/

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A pioneering team blends science, technology and community action to protect one of the world’s most threatened animal groups—amid growing pressure from development.

In the forests of New South Wales, a quiet crisis is unfolding—one that scientists say is pushing some of Australia’s most unique frog species to the brink. At the centre of the response is a team of researchers working across laboratories, wetlands and digital platforms, united under an initiative known as the Amphibian ICU.

Led by Dr Kaya Klop-Toker, Dr Rose Upton and Dr Alex Callen, the Integrated Conservation Unit is taking an ambitious, multi-disciplinary approach to halt amphibian decline—combining ecological restoration, reproductive science and citizen engagement in what they describe as a “One Plan” strategy for species recovery.

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/groups/312367045929495/

https://www.facebook.com/AussieArk

https://www.wildlifesydney.com.au/

Email the Minister

https://protectljtf.good.do/protectthelittlejohnstreefrog/email-the-minister/

Littlejohn's Tree Frog Photo Credit: Krishna Pavan Komanduri

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A Life That Grew Into Trees

For Mark Cashmore, a career in arboriculture was not a lifelong plan but a gradual evolution. After years of varied work—including teaching English overseas—he discovered tree climbing through weekend work. What began as a practical skill quickly revealed itself as an entry point into a complex and deeply engaging field.

Arboriculture is far more than cutting and pruning. It encompasses the long-term care, planning and management of trees, particularly in urban environments. From establishing healthy young trees to shaping entire urban forests, the discipline blends physical skill with ecological understanding.

“It’s an astonishing industry,” Mark reflects. “Every tree is different, every day is different.”

More Information

https://proofsafe.com.au/

https://www.treetec.net.au/

https://naturetrackers.au/projects/where-where-wedgie/

To learn more about Hollow Watch Australia - Citizen Science initiative

https://proofsafe.com.au/pages/nest_boxes_and_hollows

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A grassroots vision beneath the waves

In a quiet corner of Sydney’s coastline, a chain links more than just concrete anchors—it connects community, conservation, and curiosity. Beneath the surface of Gordon’s Bay lies one of Australia’s most distinctive citizen-led marine projects: an underwater nature trail built not by institutions, but by passionate divers.

For Sam Baxter, the ocean has long been a place of fascination. Originally from the UK, Sam’s move to Australia was driven in part by the promise of clearer, warmer waters. After a career in IT, retirement opened the door to deeper involvement in diving and marine conservation.

Alongside him is John Rowe, whose connection to the water stretches back to childhood. From snorkelling in a country-town pool to discovering the writings of early diving pioneers, John’s lifelong passion would eventually anchor one of Sydney’s most enduring marine initiatives.

More Information

https://www.gordonsbayscubadiving.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GordonsBaySCUBADivingClub

https://www.instagram.com/gordonsbayscuba/

https://www.youtube.com/@GordonsBay-GBSDC

https://www.sydneydivewreck.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/SydneyDiveWreck

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A National Push for Participation

As April unfolds, Australians are being called to step outside, look closer, and contribute to something far bigger than themselves. Citizen Science Month, a global initiative encouraging public involvement in scientific research, is gaining momentum locally—with an ambitious national goal of 100,000 recorded “acts of science.”

For Dr Jessie Oliver, Technical Manager at SciStarter Australia, the mission is both simple and transformative: make science accessible to everyone.

“An act of science can be contributing to any citizen science project,” Jessie explains. “And the sky’s the limit in terms of what those projects look like.”

From logging bird sightings to analysing medical data online, participation can take many forms—united by a shared purpose of advancing knowledge through collective effort.

More Information

https://www.scistarteraustralia.au/

https://www.scistarteraustralia.au/post/citizen-science-month-2026

https://www.zooniverse.org/

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The tension between humans and the wild extends far beyond landscapes, reaching into culture, psychology, and identity. What begins as a discussion about large carnivores evolves into a broader reflection on how humanity chooses to coexist with nature.

Jonny Hanson's interest in large carnivores began in childhood, particularly with big cats. Over time, that fascination expanded into a deeper engagement with conservation and, ultimately, the human systems that shape environmental outcomes. He emphasises that conservation is not solely a biological issue. The challenges facing nature are driven by human behaviour, and therefore, the solutions must also come from within human society.

More Information

- Jonny Hanson Website: https://jonnyhanson.com/

- Coexisting with carnivores TedX Talks: https://youtu.be/2FCUumWaTBo?si=x5KaifdmhJOYUw2n

- Young people research update: RU168.pdf

- Book chapter preview playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQN5xAQ3b01d40TJNJLjef61y1y2Qx5t4&si=7qmO7UaB8h2w56cN

Lynx Photo Credit: Julia Moning: https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/people/birdingjulia

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The Enigma of the Great Spider Crab

Australia’s great spider crab is hard to miss. With a leg span reaching up to a metre, these arthropods gather in extraordinary numbers along the seafloor. Each winter, tens of thousands converge in Port Phillip Bay in a phenomenon that has featured in global documentaries. Yet, as Elodie Camprasse discovered, scientific understanding of the species is surprisingly thin. “We know almost nothing,” she explains.

What researchers do know is tied to a vulnerable moment in the crab’s life cycle. Like all arthropods, spider crabs must shed their hard shells to grow. During this moulting phase, they are soft and exposed—easy targets for predators. 4The mass gatherings are believed to offer safety in numbers. Beyond that, much remains uncertain: How often do they moult? Where do they come from? Why do they choose specific locations?

More Information

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/spider-crab-watch

https://dro.deakin.edu.au/articles/report/Giant_spider_crab_ecological_assessment_in_Port_Phillip_Bay/23306219?file=41091581

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In 2008, the scientific community believed there was only one species of manta ray. That assumption quickly shifted when new research identified a second species, and more recently, a third. These are not small or hidden creatures—they are enormous animals, some stretching up to seven meters across—yet for years they remained largely misunderstood.

One of the most powerful tools used to study them is deceptively simple. Each manta ray has a unique pattern on its belly, much like a fingerprint. These markings allow researchers to identify individuals from photographs, many of which are submitted by members of the public. A single image can reveal where a manta ray has been seen before, how often it returns, whether it is reproducing, and even provide insights into its lifespan. This form of citizen science has become central to the work.

Asia Armstrong has spent years studying manta rays, yet they continue to surprise her in ways that feel both humbling and urgent. Her path into this work was not predetermined. Although she had always been drawn to the ocean, it was a single dive nearly two decades ago that changed everything. Encountering a manta ray for the first time left her captivated, and what struck her even more was how little was known about them. That realization led her back to university and eventually to Project Manta, where she has spent over a decade working to close those knowledge gaps.

More Information

https://www.unisc.edu.au/project-manta

https://ladyelliot.com.au/sustainability/project-manta/

https://sharkrayareas.org/

https://www.iucnredlist.org/

https://www.cbd.int/gbf/targets

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