UQ ecologist Dr Kerrie Wilson sees conservation as an issue which should feature more prominently in Australian politics.
“Biological diversity – the diversity of plants and animals that surround us – underpins our long-term economic growth and is a key component of the Australian identity and social fabric,” Dr Wilson said.
“My vision for Australia is one where the use of intrinsic values of biodiversity are recognised and accounted for and where the sustainable use of our natural resources and the protection of biodiversity are integrated into government policy.”
Her vision has won her a Future Summit Australian Leadership Award which was presented by former Governor-General the Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen at a ceremony in Melbourne on May 17.
Australian Leadership Awards are granted to people aged between 25 and 45 who occupy positions of responsibility or are recognised as leaders in their field.
Dr Wilson, a Senior Lecturer in UQ’s School of Biological Sciences, contributed to the development of an approach to guide conservation spending.
The rational approach to determining how to spend money for conservation actions is a decision-support tool that takes into account the cost of acting in an area, the biodiversity value of an area and the threats to that area.
It also accounts for uncertainty in data, such as rate of forest loss.
"The approach prioritises areas that not only have high biodiversity values, but that are cost effective and where there is a greater risk of losing those biodiversity values and where spending in the past has been limited," Dr Wilson said.
"Accounting for all those different factors will determine where the priorities are."
As an Australian Leadership Award winner, Dr Wilson will have the opportunity to attend the Future Summit for three consecutive years.
This year’s Summit, to be held today and tomorrow in Melbourne, will provide a forum for Australia’s leaders to discuss the theme "Priorities for Australia in the Crisis and Beyond".
“I will have the opportunity to share and communicate my vision for Australia,” Dr Wilson said.
“At the same time I will gain a better understanding of the perspectives of others to develop actionable options for an ecologically sustainable and prosperous country.
“I look forward to the opportunity to learn from and contribute to such an important gathering of the nation’s leaders.”
Media: Dr Wilson (07 3365 2829, 0432 844 079, k.wilson2@uq.edu.au) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
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