Training future leaders in ecosystem restoration

Dr Laura Skates (Research Scientist and Communications)

Kings Park Science plays a vital role in training the next generation of conservation and restoration scientists and leaders.

Students have the opportunity to become fully immersed in current research at Kings Park – whether that be through tours of the laboratory and glasshouse facilities, guest lectures and undergraduate courses, or work experience and internship programs.

The University of Western Australia’s undergraduate Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology class coordinated by Kings Park scientists. Photo: BGPA archive

Now in its 16th year, the Kings Park Summer Scholar program has seen more than a hundred tertiary students undertake exciting three-month research projects, with mentorship from Kings Park scientists and generous support from the Friends of Kings Park Fund.

Many students continue on to postgraduate degrees or postdoctoral research with Kings Park, further developing skills and expertise in their chosen fields. Now, whether they work in research, practice, or community engagement, or share knowledge through art and storytelling, these graduates continue to make critical contributions towards achieving conservation and restoration goals for The Decade, both here in Australia and worldwide.

Here are some of their stories.

Dr Lucy Commander

From technical officer and PhD candidate at Kings Park to now Project Manager at the Australian Network for Plant Conservation.

The networks I built while at Kings Park and the practical experiences I had were really valuable to the work I do now. It helps to know who the experts are, and to have first-hand experiences of the real-world challenges in restoration and finding creative ways to problem-solve them.

Rose Kerr

From high school work experience to Kings Park Summer Scholar and Honours student to now Science Communications Officer at the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust in Sydney.

I have a lot of happy memories at Kings Park, but one that stands out was during my Honours year when Jane Goodall was visiting to plant a tree. Seeing Jane and hearing her speak about conservation was so inspiring and special. I love hearing and sharing stories of research projects in the plant science space.

Rose Kerr, Laura Skates and Siobhan Sullivan with Dr Jane Goodall DBE during her 2017 visit to Kings Park to plant a naturally occurring but extremely rare hybrid Eucalyptus x mundijongensis. Photo: Grady Brand

Dr Ben Anderson

From Masters research at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to PhD candidate at Kings Park and now Research Scientist at the WA Herbarium.

I picked up bioinformatic skills and experience with sequence data at Kings Park that I am still applying in my daily work. I also enjoyed watching the Nuytsia outside the lab window flower and my field trips to the Pilbara, Kimberley, Little Sandy Desert and along the Gunbarrel Highway.

Tiahna Oxenham

An environmental science student and Malgana artist collaborating with Kings Park scientists.

I have a passion for knowledge of everything related to plants, right down to their cells. This passion is transferred to my art, with each piece incorporating both western and indigenous knowledge to reflect how I see the world.

Dr Marion Cambridge (UWA) and Dr Wolfgang Lewandrowski with Tiahna Oxenham and her completed seagrass-inspired artwork. Photo: Elizabeth Sinclair

Dr Jessica Stingemore

From Kings Park Summer Scholar to PhD candidate with Kings Park to now Charles Darwin Reserve Manager with Bush Heritage Australia.

The highlight of my time at Kings Park was the exposure to such a wide range of research and the opportunity to contribute to internationally acclaimed studies. My PhD shows employers that I am able to conduct and analyse research, work independently, manage budgets, ensure HSE requirements are met and present ideas to diverse audiences.

Dr Lauren Svejcar

From dryland ecology research in the US to PhD candidate at Kings Park and now Research Ecologist at US Department of Agriculture in Oregon.

At Kings Park I was able to gain an entirely new perspective on seed biology and the complexities of high biodiversity ecosystems, and also learn about the cultural differences and similarities between the US and Australia, particularly from a restoration implementation perspective.

Dr Amber Bateman

From Kings Park Summer Scholar to PhD candidate and research assistant with Kings Park and now Policy Officer at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

I have many fond memories of Kings Park – working with the experienced staff in science and parks management, having the opportunity to drive my own research, and contributing to events like the Spring Festival. I learnt a lot of my data analysis skills there, and how to work with a variety of stakeholders.

Friends of Kings Park Summer Scholarship program (2021) sees former scholars supervising current scholars. Photo: Siegy Krauss

Dr Wei Han Lim

From research assistant and PhD candidate with Kings Park to Visiting Research Fellow at Singapore Botanical Gardens and now Research Scientist at Republic Polytechnic.

I developed my collaborative skills at Kings Park, and made lifelong friendships. My work there in orchid cultivation and eco-physiology research provided me with valuable knowledge and skills for my current work.

Dr Olga Kildisheva

From restoration research in the US to PhD candidate at Kings Park and now Innovative Restoration Project Manager for The Nature Conservancy in Oregon.

I continue to use the skills and knowledge from my PhD in my current role, developing seed enhancement technologies for the restoration of the sagebrush steppe. I’m grateful for the lasting collaborations and friendships I was able to build while at Kings Park and for the chance to work in one of the most beautiful settings on the planet.

The stats

220+ PhD, masters and honours students

250+ undergraduate students

108 Summer Scholarship students

10 university institutions

15 countries