ACT Scientific Committee

The ACT Scientific Committee is a team of experts chosen by the Environment Minister under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. They're experts across biodiversity, ecology and conservation management.

For example, if a species is in danger, the Committee may:

• advise the Minister to label the species as threatened
• give advice to the Conservator of Flora and Fauna on how to keep the species safe.

Committee members

Committee members work part-time for 3 years.

Dr Linda Neaves – Chair has over 15 years’ experience in scientific research and the integration of scientific data (particularly genetic/genomic information and tools) into conservation management and policy including time as a dedicated broker between academics, practitioners and policy makers.

Associate Professor Simon Clulow – Deputy Chair is a conservation ecologist with more than 20 years’ experience studying the ecology, conservation and management of Australian fauna, especially amphibians and reptiles. He has expertise in species invasions, emerging wildlife diseases, assisted reproduction and reintroduction biology.

Honorary Professor Mark Lonsdale has over 40 years’ experience as an ecologist – biology and biodiversity; application of ecological research to conservation issues; invasive species; engaged with Indigenous knowledge experts.

Dr Frank Ingwersen has strong expertise in botany and plant ecology – assessment of vegetation in relation to mapping, landscape-scale ecological issues, monitoring disturbance, fire ecology, significance for biodiversity conservation, land-use and cultural aspects including Aboriginal prehistory. Experience in government processes, threatened species and ecosystems.

Professor Fiona Dyer is an eco-hydrologist whose research informs decision making in water resource and aquatic ecosystem management. Her expertise is in flow-ecology relationships (focussed on vegetation), urban water quality and the management of freshwater ecosystems.

Associate Professor Megan Head has over 20 years’ experience as an evolutionary ecologist specialising in how environmental change affects reproduction in fish and insects.

Dr Martin Westgate is an ecologist (landscape ecology and conservation biology) and data scientist, with a background in biodiversity monitoring, scientific programming, and tools for the synthesis of scientific information, including a focus on quantifying the impacts of land management, disturbance and climate on biodiversity.

Annual reports

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