ECOSYSTEMS
Preservation our way of life
We perform system repair to protect or improve the ecosystem services we depend on to maintain our social, cultural and economic well-being.
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Our approach is to work with catchment processes by maintaining and improving an ecosystem's structural components and managing current and emerging threats to their functioning.
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Our activities involve a high level of integration with other initiatives to improve overall outcomes for the environment, which are enhanced through revegetation with native plant species, control of pest species and planning for climate change.
About us
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
THE RUSSELL RIVER CATCHMENT
Whole-of-catchment planning
We transform policy into effective on-ground action to improve catchment condition and water quality discharged to the Great Barrier Reef. Working within a modified landscape, we operate at the catchment scale – identifying opportunities for environmental restoration and engineered solutions.
Our approach
Our values
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Our team
LIZ OWEN
Liz assimilates the specific knowledge and financial resources as an enabler for local leadership and on-ground action. Liz has more than 20 years in management roles in natural resource management, risk management and business development. Liz specialises in project design, contract management and implementation of on-ground works. She is responsible for a diverse range of water quality improvement initiatives in the Russell River catchment that include construction of treatment system technologies, restoration of riparian and endangered rainforest, establishment of new populations of vulnerable and rare plant species, and control of aquatic pest weeds within local waterways. Liz is the principal author of the 'Russell River Catchment Sustainability Plan 2020-2035, Technical Report'. This document is the first of its kind to use a sustainable, systems-based approach to prioritise catchment interventions to improve the long-term health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef, while delivering significant co-benefits through wetland restoration, climate change regulation, biodiversity and Traditional Owner employment on country. Liz has former experience in management advisory services and business development. In executive-level positions in both the public and private sectors at the Australian National Audit Office, Ernst & Young and Protiviti Risk Consulting, Liz was responsible for on-site delivery of Internal Audit services contracts with Australian Government agencies. These roles included development and delivery of annual Internal Audit programs, management of multi-disciplinary teams and review of audit products for Quality Assurance. Liz was further integral to establishing Protiviti's Canberra Office, winning several Internal Audit services contracts critical to establishment of Protiviti's Canberra Office.
DENNIS AH-KEE
Dennis uses two-way dialogue with policymakers and locals to create a bridge between Government objectives and local circumstances. Dennis has a background in catchment management, fisheries, aquaculture and Aboriginal labour market, education and training. Dennis is a Wanjuru Traditional Owner of the Russell River catchment that is part of the Yidinjii nation. Dennis holds several official roles on Reef water quality, including: Reef Advisory Committee; Traditional Owner Technical Water Quality Working Group under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan; Wet Tropics Wetland Alliance; and, Australian Coastal Restoration Network. Dennis previously represented the Australian Government in international forums, including: Network of Aquaculture Centers in the Asia-Pacific (Agricultural and Food Organisation, United Nations); Arafura and Timor Seas Experts Forum; and, Aboriginal Labour Markets and Government Policy (International Conference on Local Employment Initiatives). Dennis has extensive background in Aboriginal labour market and education policy and program development and delivery. Working as Senior Researcher on the Secretariat of the Committee of Review of Aboriginal Employment and Training Programs (Miller Report), Dennis conducted research and analysis of economic and social policy with regards to Aboriginal education, employment and training programs (Miller Report, 1985) and, subsequently, co-drafted the Cabinet Submissions and the Aboriginal Employment Development Policy that came into effect in 1986 (Commonwealth). As National Director of Aboriginal Post Schooling Strategies, Dennis drafted the Cabinet Submissions and National Aboriginal Education Policy (AEP) and negotiated 5-year strategic plans with Territory and State Governments and Aboriginal student support arrangements with the post-schooling institutions (TAFE, universities and other training providers).