The perks of peri-urban living
We had unlimited access to paddocks and bushland. Sure, it was weedy, and not exactly pristine. But that’s where we spotted the echidna.
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Urban owls are losing their homes. So we’re 3D printing them new ones
This article originally appeared in The Conversation, authored by Dan Parker, University of Melbourne; Bronwyn Isaac, Monash University; Kylie Soanes, University of Melbourne; Nick Bradsworth, Deakin University; Stanislav Roudavski, University of Melbourne, and Therésa Jones, University of Melbourne Nick Bradsworth, Author provided Native to southeastern Australia, the powerful owl (Ninox strenua) is threatened and facing … Continue reading
The threatened species in our urban jungle
This article was first published on Pursuit (University of Melbourne). You can read the original article here. It was a lot of fun putting this together! Please get in touch if you’d like to hear more about our work on threatened species in cities. Otherwise, read on! If you’re like most Australians, chances are you’re … Continue reading
Peak productivity: the academic way
It’s here! That manic magical time of the year where academics across the world take part in Do-Everything December. If you’ve found yourself uttering such rallying cries as, “I’d like to submit this before Christmas” or “Let’s get this squared away before the break”, you’re not alone (but you’re probably an ECR). This month, we will … Continue reading
Get back to noticing nature, with the Wildversity Spring Challenge
I am the kind of person who notices stuff. Not all stuff. Probably not if we need milk, or if my car is about to run out of petrol. No, I notice important stuff. Living stuff. Living stuff is the technical term that we scientists use for plants, animals, fungi, and the like. I’m most struck … Continue reading
How did the squirrel glider’s genes cross the road? Wildlife crossing structures are no joke
Originally posted on The Applied Ecologist:
Punchlines aside, in this blog Kylie Soanes shares insights from her recent article, Evaluating the success of wildlife crossing structures using genetic approaches and an experimental design: Lessons from a gliding mammal. Wildlife crossing structures are a common answer to the age-old question: ‘How did the animal cross the road?’…
Which threatened species share your neighbourhood?
I talk a lot (a LOT) about the fact that threatened species can be found in our cities and towns. The most common response I get is “Which ones and where?” Now you can explore for yourself, with our “Threatened Species in Urban Areas” online database. The interactive map includes the locations of 376 federally-listed … Continue reading
Pulling back the curtain
At the end of last year, I reached an academic milestone: I got my name on an office door. I was pretty stoked, and posted a short video of myself, grinning like a maniac in front of said victory door. But it occurred to me that the post didn’t capture the reality of my academic journey so far. Sure, I’d just … Continue reading
New job, new lab, new fun
How would you feel about spending your days learning all about threatened species? Or dreaming up creative ways that we can conserve species in cities and towns? Or collating cool pictures of wild animals to use in an experiment unofficially known as ‘wildlife tinder’? If the answer to any of those questions is ‘very excited’, then you’d … Continue reading
Chasing the Dog
Chase the Dog. I’ll admit, it’s a really weird thing to have written in your calendar. But that’s what I’ll be doing this weekend. A 6-7 hour bike ride to raise money and awareness for Beyond Blue. This cause couldn’t be more close to my heart. Mental health issues are a thread woven through both my … Continue reading
Arboreal crossings abroad
Waiting, waiting, waiting. Documentaries tend to show explorers and naturalists chasing wildlife down to get a good glimpse. But more often than not, sitting still is just as good a strategy. And so we sat under the bromeliads and waited. First silence. Then came the twittering, scratching, cooing chorus of the Atlantic forest. We were waiting for … Continue reading
