In this episode I speak with Ana Backstrom about novel ecosystems and why the term has, at times, been controversial. We explore the idea that its use may reveal more about our own subjective values rather than an ecosystem’s inherent qualities. This leads into broader reflections on how terms such as “natural,” “modified,” and “wilderness” continue to place humans outside of nature and ecology. We discuss how humans are very much part of nature, and how shifting this perspective allows us to move away from narratives of separation and towards roles as caretakers and stewards of Country.

Ana Backstrom is a plant ecologist with over twenty years’ experience working in biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration. She is currently completing a PhD that investigates socio-ecological management benchmarks for novel ecosystems. Her research aims to identify the key social and ecological attributes that shape novel ecosystem management decisions, and to explore the mechanisms and processes that either facilitate or impede the development of effective management strategies in highly changed landscapes.

In this episode I speak with Kai Lane, a proud Yorta Yorta and Barapa Barapa man who serves as an ecologist at Ecology & Restoration Australia (ERA) and as a board member for Eco Warriors Australia. In 2025, he was awarded the National prize for Indigenous Led Science at the Ecological Society of Australia conference for his innovative Yedabila habitat pods, which are traditional woven huts used to protect turtle nests and provide aquatic wildlife shelter.

Beyond his technical field work, Kai leads Cultural Heritage sessions for the Habitat Warriors program, where he uses storytelling and traditional practices to teach schoolchildren how to "care for Country" from an Indigenous perspective. He is also an author, recently releasing a book through Habitat Warriors that explores the traditional First Nations' uses of Australian flora for food, medicine and tools.

I speak with Kai about the Yedabila habitat project, the inspiring work of Habitat Warriors, Indigenous football (Marn Grook), Indigenous astronomy, seasonal calendars and cultural plant knowledge.

To learn more about the Yedabila Habitat Pods and Habitat Warriors visit: https://habitatwarriors.com.au/

Email comments, feedback or content suggestions to karljust3@gmail.com

In this episode I talk with Dr Mark Hall about native bees and other pollinators, and the critical roles they play in both natural ecosystems and modified landscapes. Native bees are often overlooked, yet they provide irreplaceable pollination services that differ fundamentally from those of introduced honey bees. We discuss Mark’s research on native bees in fragmented habitats, how native pollinators differ from honey bees, and the plants and habitat features they depend on. We also explore what gardeners and bushland regenerators can do to better support native bee diversity.

Dr Mark Hall completed his PhD in 2018 on how the composition of wooded habitat in modified landscapes affects bird and pollinator assemblages, under the supervision of Andrew Bennett (La Trobe University) and Dale Nimmo (Charles Sturt University). Since then, he has investigated pollinator diversity, health, management, and their contribution to crop production. Since 2020, Mark has partnered with the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network to identify habitat and floral preferences of pollinators—including bees, flies, wasps, butterflies and beetles—and to guide effective restoration across the Upper Campaspe region in central Victoria. He is currently the Senior Biodiversity Officer with the City of Greater Bendigo.

Email comments, feedback or content suggestions to karljust3@gmail.com

In this episode I meet with Suzan Muir, who spent 63 days surviving in the wilds of southern New Zealand on the show Alone. She and her husband John, one of Australia’s most experienced explorers, live on the property Inanna surrounded by the Grampians NP, where they provide nature connection experiences for visitors. Suzan’s skill as a nature guide has developed through decades of wilderness adventures; guiding both adults and children.

We talk about Suzan’s experience on the show Alone, including the bush skills and relationship to place which are essential to surviving alone on Country. We then talk about the 2025 bushfire in the Grampians, including an 7000 ha back burn that was deliberately lit with the apparent aim to reduce risk to human communities. Suzan reflects on the immense toll the backburn took on native wildlife and the unresolved questions around whether it was necessary. Finally, we explore a project we’ve been working on together to monitor biodiversity and fuel loads in the years following the fire.

You can visit Suzan's website at: https://www.grampiansnatureprograms.org/

Email comments, feedback or content suggestions to karljust3@gmail.com

In this episode I chat with Dr. Paul Foreman, an Ecologist and Botanist with over 35 years’ experience. Paul has worked in State and Local Government, with Trust for Nature and Bush Heritage Australia, and established his own consulting business in 2009. Paul was the inaugural Chair for the Biolinks Alliance, where he has been involved in landscape-scale restoration projects.

We discuss Paul’s PHD thesis, which investigated the role of aboriginal burning in shaping and maintaining grassland ecosystems. Paul’s research is one of the first to use multiple lines of evidence to show the fingerprints of aboriginal management in shaping grasslands.

Email comments, feedback or content suggestions to karljust3@gmail.com

You can find Paul's thesis here: https://share.google/fkfzCD4KakSLDDT5Z

In this episode, we talk to Stuart Inchley about his role in discovering the largest known population of Slender Tree-ferns in Australia, and the work of the Gippsland Forest Guardians to protect these remarkable plants from forestry operations. We also discuss the ecology of rainforest ecosystems, the pitfalls of environmental policy and some recent inspiring wins for the environment.

To follow the work of Stuart and the Gippsland Forest Guardians, visit these two websites:

https://www.gippslandforestguardians.org.au/

https://tarwinriverforest.com.au/

Email comments, feedback or content suggestions to karljust3@gmail.com

In this episode, I talk with Tanya Loos about seasonal calendars, nature journaling, and how to live and thrive with wildlife. We explore Tanya’s two books — Daylesford Nature Diary and Living with Wildlife.

Tanya is an ecologist, science writer and field naturalist based in central Victoria. She draws from ecological science to educate and inspire people to care for wildlife and their habitats.

To follow Tanya's work, check out her Instagram: @tansnaturediary and her website and blog: tanyaloos.com

Email comments, feedback or content suggestions to karljust3@gmail.com

Pete McCurly is a craftsman and custodian of Scots-Irish and Ngarabul-Gumbaingirr lineage. He lives and works in southern Djaara Country. In this episode, Pete and I meet at the Rock of Ages in central Victoria, to explore the concept of time — delving into both ancient and contemporary systems and the ways they shape our world and approach to custodianship.

Check out Pete's work on Instagram: @curlytimbers

Email comments, feedback or content suggestions to karljust3@gmail.com