At just fifteen years old, Spencer Hitchen has become one of Australia’s most recognisable young conservation voices — not through political slogans or social media trends, but through patient observation, powerful photography, and an unwavering commitment to protecting nature.

From the Wallum woodlands of Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Spencer has transformed a childhood fascination with glossy black cockatoos into a global conservation movement. Along the way, he has launched World Stand Up For Nature Day, contributed to campaigns influencing environmental protections, produced award-winning wildlife photography, and inspired thousands of young people to reconnect with the natural world.

But for Spencer, the journey began with a single bird.

Falling in Love with the Glossies

Spencer was only six years old when he first joined a local environment group and met a conservationist known as “Glossy Bob”, who had spent more than two decades observing glossy black cockatoos in the Noosa region.

Together, they would visit a local waterhole where the cockatoos gathered each evening.

Spencer quickly became captivated by the birds — their calls, their behaviours, and the fragile ecosystem that sustained them.

“I just fell in love with them,” Spencer said.

More Information

https://www.instagram.com/savesunriseglossies/

https://www.savesunriseglossies.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/savesunriseglossies

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Scientists map the ocean’s most critical shark and ray habitats in a race against extinction

Marine conservationists around the world are racing to identify the ocean habitats most critical to the survival of sharks and rays before it is too late.

At the centre of that effort is the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project, a global initiative led through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group. The project aims to pinpoint the breeding grounds, feeding hotspots and migration corridors essential to sustaining shark, ray and chimaera populations worldwide.

For Dr Rima Jabado, chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group, the project represents a major shift in marine conservation thinking.

“It’s not just about protecting the species anymore,” Rima said. “It’s about identifying the places in the ocean that are most important for those species to survive.”

Joining Rima on the Citizen Science Show podcast was marine scientist Dr Asia Armstrong, whose work in spatial ecology and threatened species conservation has made her a key contributor to the project.

Together, the pair described an ambitious global effort built not only on science, but also on the observations of ordinary ocean users.

More Information

https://sharkrayareas.org/

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A pioneering team blends science, technology and community action to protect one of the world’s most threatened animal groups—amid growing pressure from development.

In the forests of New South Wales, a quiet crisis is unfolding—one that scientists say is pushing some of Australia’s most unique frog species to the brink. At the centre of the response is a team of researchers working across laboratories, wetlands and digital platforms, united under an initiative known as the Amphibian ICU.

Led by Dr Kaya Klop-Toker, Dr Rose Upton and Dr Alex Callen, the Integrated Conservation Unit is taking an ambitious, multi-disciplinary approach to halt amphibian decline—combining ecological restoration, reproductive science and citizen engagement in what they describe as a “One Plan” strategy for species recovery.

More Information

https://www.facebook.com/groups/312367045929495/

https://www.facebook.com/AussieArk

https://www.wildlifesydney.com.au/

Email the Minister

https://protectljtf.good.do/protectthelittlejohnstreefrog/email-the-minister/

Littlejohn's Tree Frog Photo Credit: Krishna Pavan Komanduri

If you enjoy this podcast, please like and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcasts.

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It really helps us to reach more citizen scientists, like you.

Contact the Show

We are always looking for more guests to tell us about interesting citizen science projects, research and events.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.