WETLANDCARE AUSTRALIA - Key Persons
Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Environmental Management (Natural Systems and Wildlife) from the University of Queensland and for the last five years she has been working in natural resource management in Queensland. She has a background in developing, implementing and supporting community focused natural resource management projects, working with government, industry, community and schools. Cheryl has been involved in a number of community based education and awareness activities, including community based monitoring programs.
Cheryl's focus is on the restoration of coastal wetland sites in South East Queensland.
Craig is an active campaigner and driving force for improved wetland and fishery habitat management. He has initiated some of the major changes to coastal floodplain management in Australia with active management of floodgates. He has also developed a number of Australian 'firsts' such as programs for weir removal and road crossing remediation and initiatives such as 'Fish Friendly Farms', 'Wetlands on Farms' and 'Fishers for Fish Habitat'. As a long standing Director of WetlandCare Australia he has been responsible for leading the development of WetlandCare Australia from a small volunteer based company to a professional NGO, recognized by the Australian Government. Craig was instrumental in expanding the scale and area of activities undertaken by the company, particularly into NSW. Craig remains an avid supporter of WetlandCare Australia after his 11 years as a Director, 3 as Chairman, 3 as Deputy Chairman and 3 as Company Secretary.
Eli has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Coastal Management) and a range of experience in wetland assessment, studies, monitoring and management, including;
Job Titles:
- Corporate Services Manager
Kerri has a background in child and adult education & managing welfare services in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently responsible for HR and financial administration and generally supporting technical staff to achieve their project outcomes.
Laura completed her Bachelor of Tropical Environmental Science with Honours in Aquatic Ecology at Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory. She then spent several years working in the research and integrated management of wetland weeds in the NT before moving to northern NSW and joining WCA in 2008.
Laura has delivered projects including management plans, wetland health assessments, wetland restoration, GIS mapping, the preparation of ecological character descriptions for Ramsar sites and wetlands education and training. She is passionate about protecting wetland biodiversity and other wetland values through conducting and applying sound ecological research. She has a particular fondness for freshwater streams and paperbark swamps.
Liz coordinates the annual WetlandCare Australia National Art and Photography Competition, held to celebrate World Wetlands Day. The competition is focused on the themes of World Wetlands Day, and aims to encourage people of all ages to engage with, explore and share their local wetlands and waterways. She is also part of the Corporate Services Unit, working in the areas of Marketing and Communications.
Liz completed her Bachelor of Visual Arts in 2007 and Diploma of Natural Resource Management in 2001.
Operating out of WetlandCare Australia's regional office at the Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Advisory Committee in Ayr, Merv is delivering projects that will protect, manage and enhance the high ecological functional values of the Barratta Creek Catchment which forms the main artery of the Bowling Green Bay wetlands, the only Ramsar site in north Queensland. Merv has over 20 years local experience in natural resource management and has a background in cane and cattle farming.
Tim will be taking on project management of many of our on-ground work sites in the Hunter region. He has 8 years of experience as a consulting ecologist, and a further 5 years working as a bush regenerator. Tim's qualifications include:
Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management),
Master of Environmental Science
Natural Area Restoration Certificate II
Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP)
Certified Practitioner in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC).
In addition to his professional career, Tim is a dedicated volunteer who has prepared successful Threatened Ecological Community nominations for Humane Society International, and leads the Burwood Beach Coastcare Group. Tim is a keen surfer and member of the Surfrider Foundation.