Take me to the river

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!Group CEO of eWater Group Michael Wilson has an extraordinary range of backgrounds: he's a political scientist, classical musician, public servant, national security specialist, Australian Diplomat, and Humanitarian and International Development Advisor all rolled into one, with over 35 years' experience across these fields. He's run for parliament, negotiated international environmental treaties, and trained as a classical baritone opera singer.Beyond his professional accomplishments, Michael reveals his lifelong passion for music—particularly choral singing with Canberra's adult choir The Resonants. His description of being "surrounded by sound" while singing reveals striking parallels to his approach to water management: understanding how individual contributions fit within complex, interconnected systems.eWater Group is an organisation dedicated to improving water management across Australia and internationally and is jointly owned by all Australian governments. It's comprised of two divisions: eWater Solutions, who provide science-based water management expertise and tools, and the Australian Water Partnership, working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to support a range of water management and governance initiatives in collaboration with developing countries in South Asia, South-East Asia, and the Pacific.Today, Michael and our host, Dr. Siwan Lovett, are members of the Resonants, one of Canberra's foremost adult choirs, and they've been singing with the Resonants for over 25 years. Their upcoming performance in partnership with the Australian River Restoration Centre, Riversong, is a unique fundraising concert for the long-term future of our rivers, celebrating what waterways mean to us in Australia and across the globe. Riversong is a celebration of the river's heartbeat, and together, we can ensure that the rivers which have nourished our communities, biodiversity and landscapes continue to flow strong and clean, sustaining generations to come.Join us for a transformative night of music and meaning. Riversong is on the 17th of May 2025 at the Gandel Atrium, National Museum of Australia. Book now to secure your tickets!Riversong.au

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!Stocky Galaxias, or 'Stocky', is one of Australia's most critically endangered species — a tiny fish hidden away in the pristine alpine waters of Kosciuszko National Park.Can the survival of this elusive, critically endangered species illuminate the future of Australia's rivers? In this conversation we discuss efforts to save Stocky from the devastating 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires and the subsequent rallying of agencies and community groups to protect, conserve, and re-home this special little fish to ensure its survival for future generations. Dr. Siwan Lovett and long-time freshwater fish conservationist and researcher Dr. Mark Lintemans invite you on a journey through the challenges and breakthroughs in conserving this remarkable species. From the thrill of discovering a previously unknown new population, to the innovative strategies that blend natural and artificial solutions for habitat protection, this episode is packed with insights into the delicate balance of river ecosystems, invasive fish, community collaboration and conservation strategies.We take a deep dive into the ongoing efforts to safeguard species like the Galaxiids and Macquarie perch while respecting the interests of recreational fishing. You'll hear how barriers, riparian vegetation, and even shifts in attitudes among trout enthusiasts are contributing to a new paradigm in fisheries management. These changes are essential to maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems and ensuring that both native and introduced species can coexist.Finally, we discuss the urgent issue of genetic diversity, a key factor in the resilience of fish populations against climate change. Discover how genetic research is transforming conservation strategies, with new approaches like cross-breeding and relocation aimed at boosting the genetic health of species under threat. Our conversation extends to the broader picture of Australia's freshwater fish crisis, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive conservation efforts.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter (no spam, we promise!) to keep up with new episodes of the show!

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!In today's episode, Siwan sits down with Dr. Sue Pillans, a marine scientist, artist and children's author who specialises in creative and visual communications to help people “picture their ideas”. As a graphic recorder, Sue draws discussions and presentations in real-time to visually capture and convey information, ideas and concepts. Sue has worked with over 65 organisations across Australia and the Southeast Asian region using visual storytelling to help make the complex simple and the simple compelling. Sue also combines her love of marine science and art to bring creativity into classrooms as her alter ego, “Dr. Suzie Starfish”. As a children's author and illustrator, her picture books engage and educate children about the wonders of the ocean.Dr. Pillans' unique ability to translate spoken words into vibrant visual stories brings the passion and commitment of river conservationists to life. As she shares her transformative path from marine scientist to visual storyteller, we explore the profound impact of visual communication, particularly when communicating with diverse audiences, including First Nations communities. From capturing complex scientific concepts to inspiring the next generation about ocean conservation, Sue's journey underscores the importance of creativity in promoting environmental awareness and cultural sensitivity. We close our conversation by discussing imaginative and fun ways to engage children in environmental education and action by using the power of storytelling to inspire change.Learn more about Dr. Pillans' work at her website: drsuepillans.com.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter (no spam, we promise!) to keep up with new episodes of the show!

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!In this episode, we're diving into the waters of the Mary River with environmental engineer Misko Ivezich. With over 15 years of experience at Alluvium, Misko has long been at the forefront of combating river erosion and sediment issues which are crucial to the health of riparian ecosystems and downstream systems which receive their flow. Today, we're focusing on a successful project on the Mary River, a vital waterway that flows through Queensland and plays a pivotal role in the health of the Great Barrier Reef.The project, led by Misko, implemented new engineering solutions and extensive revegetation to reduce bank erosion by an impressive 85% during the 2022 floods, compared to past data. This story isn't just about geological and riparian engineering; it's about ecological recovery. These efforts have had a substantial impact on native species like the Mary River Turtle and Lungfish, whose habitats are crucial for their survival yet have been degraded over time. Through this project, we see a blend of science, policy, and community engagement coming together to foster a more stable and vibrant ecosystem.Join us as Misko walks us through this landmark initiative, shedding light on how strategic environmental management can lead to sustainable outcomes for both our natural heritage and the communities of wildlife and people who depend on it.This episode talks about:• Overview of the Mary River's importance and challenges  • Discussion on river erosion and past flood impacts  • Importance of vegetation in stabilising riverbanks  • Addressing sediment loads impacting the Great Barrier Reef  • Success of community initiatives in river management  • Engineering strategies used in the restoration project  • Future plans and ongoing work for the Mary RiverIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter (no spam, we promise!) to keep up with new episodes of the show!

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!37% of Australia's freshwater species are facing extinction in the next century. In the words of today's guest, Dr. Nick Whiterod, "it is now a conscious decision not to act."Native fish populations in Australia are estimated to be less than 10% of their size pre-colonisation. This country has experienced one of the worst records of recent extinctions worldwide, and many more of our species are predicted to be lost in the near future – not unless we act now. Freshwater species have a disproportionately higher risk of extinction compared to terrestrial and marine counterparts, but are often overlooked, with few aware of how much trouble they're really in. Dr. Nick Whiterod is a leading expert in the field of freshwater species conservation and recovery, and there's no one better to speak with about this great challenge than him.Nick is the driving force behind the Science Program at the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre based in Goolwa, South Australia. He is an ecologist with over two decades of experience, conserving and researching freshwater species and ecosystems across South Australia and Australia-side. He has conducted several successful reintroduction projects, contributed to the national listing of more than 50 freshwater fish and crayfish, and actively worked to understand and conserve freshwater fish across Australia, including in the Mt Lofty Ranges and the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region. Nick was a 2018 Churchill Fellow and recently received the 2023 Unsung Hero of South Australian Science.In today's show, we unravel the ecological treasures of this breathtaking Ramsar site at the Murray-Darling Basin's end. Nick opens up about the region's unique freshwater ecosystems and the pressing challenges they face, from reduced water flows due to upstream extraction to the historical necessity of barrages that protect the freshwater supply. We discuss the significance of environmental water flows and the complexities of managing water resources across jurisdictional boundaries; dive deep into the urgent need for conservation and the threats faced by Australia's native freshwater species; highlight the importance of First Nations collaboration in conservation efforts, and more.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter (no spam, we promise!) to keep up with new episodes of the show!

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!What if your pet fish could wreak havoc on Australia's ecosystems? Turns out, that's precisely what they'll do if they end up in our waterways.In today's episode, Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with freshwater fish biologist Dr Mariah Millington, who reveals the surprising capacity for non-native pet fish to damage and degrade Australia's freshwater ecosystems, and particularly the native fish that live within them. Discover how to best dispose of dead pet fish, how common goldfish and other popular pet species can grow to alarming sizes and cause severe ecological damage when released, Mariah's undercover research into forums and marketplaces on the Deep web, and some of the specific species which pose significant ecological risks to Australian native fish, whose populations are already estimated to be less than 10% of their pre-colonisation numbers.Mariah pulls back the curtain on the underground world of illegal fish trade and the challenges in regulating this thriving online market. You'll be intrigued by the prevalence of pet fish in Australian households and the secretive subculture of basement breeders who bypass legal regulations through platforms like Facebook and Gumtree. From the complexities of transporting fish over long distances to the hidden layers of the web where these transactions occur, our conversation uncovers the dark side of the pet fish industry and the ecological risks it poses.The threats don't stop there—Tilapia and other invasive fish species are making alarming inroads into Australia's waterways. Tilapia in particular continue to head further south. Learn about the reproductive strategies that make tilapia particularly dangerous and the potential for hybridization to increase their invasive potential. Mariah discusses the importance of public education, biosecurity measures, and promoting native fish conservation initiatives.This episode is a compelling call to action for protecting our native fish populations and the ecosystems they depend on.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!Ever wondered what a platypus eats, how to remember native plant names, or what it takes to bring a river back to life? Today, ARRC Director Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with Jed Pearson from the Rivers of Carbon team to answer some of these questions.Jed has journeyed from Armidale to the ACT and his dedication to conservation through Waterwatch and Rivers of Carbon has only grown as he has learned on and cared for Country. We dive deep into the importance of riparian zones and the various vegetation layers that contribute to a thriving ecosystem, tackling erosion strategies and a case study on the Gudgenby River in the ACT. Jed explains the challenges of planting vegetation for erosion control and the importance of understanding local flora. We also explore plant identification techniques that, despite sometimes frustrating botanical names, help ensure high survival rates for the vegetation planted. This chapter serves as a valuable guide for those looking to mitigate erosion with site-specific approaches and expert consultation.Lastly, we journey into the fascinating world of macroinvertebrates and their critical role in waterway health. Through the Rivers of Carbon project and Waterwatch program, we underscore the importance of accessible information and citizen science in monitoring water quality. Jed shares how these tiny creatures act as keystone species and indicators, vital to the diets of platypuses and overall ecosystem health. Jed also shares some very amusing ways to remember tricky species names! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Questions, comments, feedback? Tap here to send us a message!In 2019, the Upper Murrumbidgee River at Tharwa ran dry. Under a burning, smoky sky, flow stopped entirely, and the riverbed was visible except for a few algae-choked pools. This came as a shock for local residents who rely on the river for their water supply, and inspired Andy Lowes to write a letter to Canberrans on behalf of the river. Fast forward to today, and The Forgotten River campaign coordinated by Andy and Dr. Siwan Lovett at the Australian River Restoration Centre has achieved some big wins for the river, including a combined $50 million dollar funding agreement reached between ACT Independent Senator David Pocock and the Albanese Government. The Upper Murrumbidgee still needs more water — Tantangara Dam currently captures between 90% and 99% of its headwaters —  but these are big steps towards the rehabilitation of a troubled riparian system.Today, Siwan sits down with Andy Lowes and Dr. Maxine Cooper, both members of the ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordinating Committee, to discuss what has changed since parts of the river dried up in 2019; what the funding agreement realistically means for the river; how that money could be spent; and the power of a small group of dedicated, passionate people.This conversation is inspiring, insightful, and a testament to the shared love held by those on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, and other traditional Countries, for the Upper Murrumbidgee.Visit The Forgotten River to learn more about the Upper Murrumbidgee and how you can support this beautiful waterway.Senator David Pocock EpisodeCommunity Survey ResultsResourcesSubscribe to updatesIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

In today's conversation, Siwan sits down with Callum Edwards from the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Jayden Woolley of the Wadawarrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to discuss the significance and effectiveness of mentoring, why it matters, and why it was the right fit for them. Callum and Jayden are both alumni of the 2023 Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program, and share their experiences being a mentor / mentee, respectively, for the first time.This conversation delves into some of the funny and unexpected moments from the Program, and touches on why Siwan is committed to mentoring as a pathway towards effective waterway, riparian and natural resource management. Callum and Jayden share valuable insight about how their experiences surprised them and helped them to grow, both professionally and personally.Read Callum and Jayden's Mentoring Story here: https://www.twinningiswinning.com.au/callum-jayden-enhancing-estuary-management-through-mentoring/Learn more about the Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program here: https://www.twinningiswinning.com.au/our-program/If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Siwan talks with Henry Cooper, Project Officer for Land and Catchment Health at the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, and Matt Bowler, Manager of Project Delivery at the West Gippsland CMA about their experience as mentee and mentor, respectively, in the Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program. Siwan, Matt and Henry discuss the value of having a mentor or mentee by your side; the ways in which the program challenged and surprised them; and how their mentoring experience has impacted their work after the program. They also discuss the challenge of willow removal, details about the Woady Yaloak system, and what drives them to do what they do.Find out more about the Waterway Management Emerging Leaders Program here: https://www.twinningiswinning.com.au/.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

On a crisp Friday morning by the banks of the Cotter river in January 2024, Siwan sat down with Senator David Pocock, the ACT's first independent senator and environmental advocate, to discuss what drives him and what he cares about; his journey towards and inside the world of politics and government; his life growing up in Zimbabwe and career in professional rugby, and more. This is a reflective and insightful conversation, one which reveals a down-to-earth and honest man who deeply cares about the environment we call home.Siwan and David also discuss the Upper Murrumbidgee, or 'The Forgotten River' — a stretch of river left behind by Federal and NSW water management reforms. As a result, between 90% and 99% of the headwaters of the Murrumbidgee is captured by the Snowy Hydro Scheme each year, which leads to crises like in 2019 when the river almost entirely dried up except for a few algae-choked pools.The ARRC has been raising awareness about the Forgotten River for a couple of years, and those efforts were rewarded in November 2023 when an agreement was reached between the Albanese Government and Senator Pocock, which ensured a combined $50m of funding for the health of the river, as well as reviews of key legislative documents regarding the regulation of the Upper 'Bidgee. This was a great success for the health of the river and a collaborative effort across the board. The Upper Murrumbidgee still needs more water, but we are hopeful that this agreement sets in motion the ability for these flows to be provided in future years.***If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.Check out the episode show notes: https://arrc.au/senator-david-pocock-being-part-of-a-larger-story/Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: arrc.au

In today's episode, Siwan sits down with Australia's Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH), Dr. Simon Banks, to talk about his love of nature, his experience delivering eWater, and what it's like to be the CEWH. This conversation covers Dr. Banks' journey so far, some elements of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, whether Australia is a world-leader in environmental water management, and more.Dr. Banks has been the CEWH for over 12 months and manages water for the environment on behalf of the Australian Government to support the rivers and wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin. Simon has held senior positions in several departments, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, New Zealand Department of Conservation, and the NSW and Queensland governments. Simon holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (coastal management), a Master of Applied Science from Southern cross University and a Doctor of Philosophy (biological sciences and decision support) from The University of Queensland. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.To view this episode's show notes, visit arrc.au/delivering-ewater-and-loving-nature-with-dr-simon-banks-episode-24.Flow Monitoring, Evaluation & Research: https://flow-mer.org.au/Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Website: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/cewoTo learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre, visit arrc.au.

Siwan speaks with Dr. Wayne Koster of the Arthur Rylah Institute, at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, to talk native fish recovery and research. Wayne leads research projects on native fish ecology and conservation across Victoria and more broadly in south-eastern Australia.  The focus of much of Wayne's recent work has been on the movement and spawning ecology and conservation implications for riverine fishes, particularly the development of flow regimes for fish in regulated rivers. He also does some fascinating work monitoring and tracking eels in our rivers and oceans.View this episode's show notes at https://arrc.au/dr-wayne-koster-episode-25To learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre, visit arrc.au

In today's episode, Siwan talks with Richard Swain, a Dabee man of the Wiradjuri nation and a river adventure guide (Alpine River Adventures) in the Snowy Mountains, in Kozciuszko National Park. Richard grew up learning the history of the Australian landscape from his father, and his grandfather taught him how Aboriginal peoples moved through and respected country.  Richard has a long history of volunteering on local environmental and community projects and has a first-hand understanding of the huge impact feral animals have on Australia's natural environment. Richard is an ambassador for the Invasive Species Council, helping to raise the profile of the role of Indigenous peoples in caring for Country and protecting it from invasive species. His life is now dedicated to protecting the environment from the impacts of modern society. Content Warning: This conversation includes a description of a massacre of Aboriginal people from 17:00 - 17:26 that may be of concern for some listeners.This conversation covers a wide range of topics, ranging from Richard's experience with advocacy, the problem with the culture of modern Australia, and how indigenous and non-indigenous Australians can move forward together towards a lore of restoration — as Richard puts it, "Country is crying out for good people". It's a hard-hitting conversation at points, but one which provokes us and challenges us to improve, for the sake of Country and for ourselves.To view this episode's show notes, visit https://arrc.au/country-is-crying-out-for-good-people-with-richard-swain-episode-23.To learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre, visit arrc.au.

Regenerative Agriculture is revolutionising Australia's agriculture industry, and for good reason. Today, The Australian River Restoration's Managing Director Siwan Lovett sits down with Australia's foremost Regenerative Agriculture pioneer, Dr. Charles Massy, to discuss his life's work, his experience implementing Regenerative Agriculture (Regen Ag) on his farm, Severn Park, and some of his recent work on the Snowy River.Dr. Charles Massy is a Monaro woolgrower, scientist, and renowned author. He is a passionate pioneer in, and expert on, regenerative agriculture and is the author of several books on the topic, including 2017's Call of the Reed Warbler, a book which explores the vital connection between our soil and our health, and The Last Dragon, a children's book about the endangered Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon, illustrated by Mandy Foot and featuring an essay on the Dragon written by Charles. Both of these books are discussed in today's episode.Charles has been farming Merino sheep at Severn Park for over 40 years and received the Order of Australia Medal for his service to the wool industry as chair and director of several research organisations and wool boards (2011). He has also been the recipient of the Sydney Power House Museum's Distinguished Service Award for his work on their Wool and Pastoral Collection (2008), and received the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders' Silver Medal for his contribution to the Australian Merino and wool industry (1992). He has served on national and international review panels in sheep and wool research and development, and genomics.Show notes: https://arrc.au/podcast-take-me-to-the-river/country-speaks-with-charles-massy-episode-22/Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: https://www.arrc.au/

Sitting on the banks of the Wollondilly River, only two kilometres downstream of its headwaters, Siwan chats with Felicity Wheelwright. Felicity is a fifth-generation regenerative farmer in the Crookwell region and a fourth-generation farmer on Roslyn Estate, and one of our Rivers of Carbon restoration champions, restoring water quality in Sydney's water catchment. Felicity's farm is holistically grazed and over the last 30 years, her family has undertaken a plethora of restoration projects to protect and restore her property, including planting a 17 kilometre long native tree corridor. Felicity also has a background in banking and business improvement strategies and is blending this together with her experience in farming to talk to us today about the benefits of holistic grazing and regenerative agriculture.Show notes (contact details, images of Felicity's property and behind-the scenes): https://arrc.au/podcast-take-me-to-the-river/episode-21-why-regenerative-farming-helps-our-waterways-with-felicity-wheelwright/Learn more about the Australian River Restoration Centre: https://www.arrc.au/

As we have more conversations with Aboriginal people, we find that when we acknowledge Country it means so much more. There is an upswelling of emotion as the stories that are generously shared with us gives us insight into what it might be like being an Aboriginal Australian. This podcast is one such conversation. Tanya Keed, a proud Aboriginal woman from Dunghutti Country, and Lori Gould who has worked with the ARRC for over twenty years, share how they have been working together to connect men and women who have been imprisoned, back to themselves, each other and to Country. This is a podcast like no other, and we feel deeply grateful and honoured that Tanya is sharing so much of herself and her story.

Siwan and Andy sit down with Associate Professor Angus Webb to chat about the recent floods in the Goulburn River system in Victoria and what they mean for the ecology of the system. Angus works for the Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Division of the University of Melbourne, and is the lead researcher for the Flow - Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Program for the lower Goulburn River in Victoria, which is one of the many rivers that has experienced flooding this year. Angus is an ecologist, specialising in both marine and freshwater systems and now working with environmental flows. Angus has a particular interest in how we can continue to improve the ways we manage our river systems. 

In this episode, Siwan chats with Professor Fiona Dyer about why science and people matter when it comes to rivers and their management. Fiona is a freshwater scientist at the University of Canberra, where she has a broad range of expertise and interests, including vegetation ecology, water quality and ecohydrology. Today, we'll be exploring the different types of riverscapes we have in Australia and what that means for making good water-management decisions.

In this episode, Siwan chats with Richie Allen about reconciliation and the importance of listening to Indigenous perspectives, particularly when it comes to our rivers. Richie comes from the Kamilaroi and Ngunnawal nations and is co-Director of the Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Richie has been working with the ARRC over the last year to help us develop a Reconciliation Action Plan. Today we are talking to Richie about what reconciliation means to him and how we might, through our individual and organisational actions, continue along the path of recognising, respecting and reconciling our past with the future and how our individual actions can contribute to reconciling Australia.

In this episode, Siwan chats with Andrew McGovern, an avid angler and one of Australia's most recognised fishing journalist. Andrew has been fishing in the Canberra and Snowy Mountains regions for over 40 years and has a special connection to the Murrumbidgee River, where he grew up. Siwan and Andrew discuss the role anglers play in caring for and protecting native fish, as well as the waterways they live in. Andrew is particularly passionate about sustainable catch-and-release fishing practices, and how we can minimise harm and maximise enjoyment of being out on the river and catching our wonderful fish.

In this episode, Siwan chats with freshwater and wildlife ecologist Dr Skye Wassens and Professor of Design Mitchell Whitelaw. Skye and Mitchell share their recent work on The Sound of Water project, which visualises the different sounds of the Nap Nap swamp wetlands as it receives environmental water flows from the Murrumbidgee River. The work is hoping to immerse listeners in the sounds of the wetlands. Have a listen for yourself to hear the amazing Southern Bell frogs and other native animals responding to water flowing through their habitat at Nap Nap. 

In this episode, facilitator and coach Belinda Chapman shares with us the importance for people working in river management to bring their ‘whole person' to work. We look at ways this can be done and what it means to use our head, heart and gut brains in the workplace. Belinda's company, Working Wheel, works with organisations where stakeholder engagement is an important but missing link. She helps practitioners improve their people and emotional intelligence skills so they can work together with their stakeholders more effectively.

This podcast episode continues the discussion on the proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall in Western Sydney by up to 17 metres. We talk with special guest Kazan Brown, a Gundungurra elder from the region, who is incredibly concerned that if the proposal goes ahead it will endanger 5700 hectares of UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park and flood 1541 cultural sites of the Gundungarra people in the Burragorang valley, some dating back thousands of years. The flooding of the valley in the 1940s completed the first cycle of dispossession from land, traditional economies and ceremony. Now, the Gundungurra people, who had lived in the Burragorang valley for 50,000 years, could lose any remaining cultural sites. 

In this episode, I speak with the Honourable Bob Debus, former Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Minister for the Arts for the Blue Mountains electorate and Chairperson for the Colong Foundation For Wilderness. We dive into a discussion about the proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall, and highlight the flawed rationale that a higher dam wall will protect residents in high flood risk areas in Western Sydney. Raising the dam wall will flood 6000 hectares of UN world heritage-listed national park and put at risk many threatened species. The area is also of high cultural significance for the Gundungurra people with over 1500 sites threatened by rising floodwaters.We explore all these concerns and note that much of this landscape has the highest level of formal legal protection available for endangered ecosystems in Australia – can we just disregard the State, Federal and International obligations that were put in place to ensure actions like raising the dam wall would never go ahead?

My guest for this episode is Andy Lowes, author of the Letter from the Murrumbidgee River to Canberrans. Andy is Canberra born and bred, growing up swimming, fishing and walking by the Murrumbidgee. His lifelong interest in rivers has also seen him work at the Commonwealth level on the management of rivers in the broader Murray-Darling Basin. Writing this letter from the voice of the Murrumbidgee River was an effort to raise awareness of an incredibly unusual time for the Canberra community and the Murrumbidgee River, from the devastating impacts of the drought and bushfires during the Summer of 2019 and 2020 to the COVID-19 pandemic that has transformed the way we interact with others. In this episode, we  discuss how the letter helps explain the changes the river has seen in its ecology and the way people interact with it, and reinforces the need for immersing ourselves in nature. 

In this episode, Siwan is joined by author Rod Taylor to discuss Rod's new book ‘Ten Journeys on a Fragile Planet'. Rod's book follows the stories of ten inspiring Australians who are confronting our changing climate in unique ways. Rod broadcasts a weekly science show and appears on ABC and BBC radio shows. He also writes a column in the Canberra Times called Fuzzy Logic. This podcast discusses the importance of people, technology and political institutions in addressing climate change. Rod and Siwan talk about the different ways they keep hope for the future of the planet and how being curious and asking the right questions can be powerful.

In this episode, we have a Conversation over a Cuppa with Associate Professor Lorrae van Kerkhoff about why thinking about the future is hard, and the importance of institutional environments that allow for uncertain futures.Lorrae is the Director of the Institute for Water Futures and Associate Director of the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University. Lorrae uses a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex environmental and water problems, and in this episode she explains the importance of creativity in problem-solving and planning for the future. She talks about how we, as humans, imagine our future selves as strangers, making it very difficult to anticipate the reality of the future.Have a listen and delve into futures thinking, uncertainty and the adaptive capacity we are all going to need to develop for today and tomorrow.

In this episode, Siwan and Professor Jamie Pittock discuss whether raising dam walls is an effective management strategy to address our changing climate. They discuss the current proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall in outer Sydney, and whether the stated aims of it being to address flooding and protect downstream communities, will actually be achieved. Jamie has worked for the World Wide Fund for Nature, and is a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and World Commission on Protected Areas. He is also on the Advisory Board of the Nature Conservancy. He is now based at the Fenner School at the Australian National University where he teaches and writes across environment, society and climate change adaptation topics. In their conversation, Siwan and Jamie discuss the ecological and cultural consequences of the proposal to raise the dam wall, and highlight how a multi-million dollar ‘flooding' solution is likely to fail.

In this episode, Siwan talks with Professor Mark Howden about how we can retain hope in the face of a changing climate. Mark is the Director of the Climate Change Institute at the Australian National University, as well as being the Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). As a global expert on climate science, his work over the last thirty years has explored climate variability, change and adaptation. In this conversation Mark and Siwan discuss how we can look to each other for the skills and hope we need to adapt to our changing climate.

‘Their Stories' is a mini-series of conversations, exploring the complex and messy ways in which humanity interacts with ecology. In this episode, Siwan talks to Professor Ross Thompson, Director and Chair of Water Science in the Institute for Applied Ecology at the University of Canberra. Their talk focuses on work currently underway in environmental flows, with both involved in the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office's Flow-MER project, exploring how to deliver water for the environment in order to gain the greatest environmental benefit in areas of the Murray-Darling Basin. The discussion covers Ross's transition from a medical career to an ecological one, the value of systems thinking, and how science can be used effectively within the interdependent political, social, economic and environmental context that is our society, interspersed with lots of laughs and a few 'accidental' accent jibes about Ross's New Zealand heritage.

In this episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Simon Mould, on what makes a river champion and why we need to support those people who are working for better water and river management. The ‘champion' concept usefully highlights the importance of critical leaders in environmental management initiatives. However, our experience tells us that the label of ‘champion' would sit uncomfortably on the shoulders of many who play critical roles in advancing river management agendas in their communities and workplaces. The label conjures the image of a hero or the elite winner, and this is at odds with the humility and modesty of many of the champions we have met – who are typically not the loudest people in the room, but the ones driving change behind the scenes – so how can expand our concept of championship, in order to recognise and support these individuals?

Paul Ryan – founding director of the Australian Resilience Centre, and a global leader in resilience, adaptation and transformation practice – joins us today for a ‘Conversation over a Cuppa' as we look into the idea of ‘bouncing forward'. The term stems from the notion that the popular belief about resilience being our ability to ‘bounce back' is a flawed concept. This is because when we go through a traumatic experience such as the bushfires and current pandemic conditions, we come out the other end with lived experience and knowledge that we previously didn't have. It is not only improbable, therefore, but impossible to return back to the state we entered the experience with. Instead, resilience can be associated with our ability to ‘bounce forward'. What can we learn from the experience, adapt to, and build into our lives going forward?

Suzy and I reflect on the tough few months we've had in Australia, which has caused people to be in a heightened state of anxiety and fear for longer periods of time than we are used to. This episode talks about a resource called ‘Take Care to Give Care' – a Guide that Two Green Threads has produced for wildlife carers, but which also applies to all of us in current times.  We acknowledge and discuss the strength and scale of impact these recent events are having on our minds, body and general well being, and share how we can build resilience through the A-B-C framework shared in the ‘Take Care to Give Care' Guide – Awareness, Balance and Connection.

Over the past few months we have seen the devastation bushfires have caused across many of our beautiful forests – photographs of dead and injured koalas, kangaroos and echidnas have been upsetting, galvanising people to knit booties, put out water and fund food drops for wildlife. But what of those less charismatic species, the ones that are rarely seen, yet have just as much claim to being saved as any other species? Who is looking out for them?In pools, creeks and rivers across Australia are native fish that are small, unique and hard to find. As a result, we don't know a lot about them, but Associate Professor Mark Lintermans has dedicated his career to understanding the fish that most Australians know little about. Over the past few weeks Mark, along with colleagues from the University of Canberra and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, has been trekking into the bush, with Rural Fire Service escort, to catch and rescue fish not so much threatened by the fires, but by the impact of ash and debris being washed into their mountain homes once rain arrives. Mark tells the story of ‘Saving Stocky' in our second episode.

The first episode of our new podcast ‘Conversation Over A Cuppa' focuses on the impact of the recent devastating Australian bushfires - the loss of people's homes, death and injury to wildlife, and vast tracts of burnt bushland.  Siwan talks about how it has affected her personally, leading to feelings of anxiety, fear, anger and sadness.  She shares how she is finding comfort in understanding more about the ‘ecological grief' so many of us are experiencing and provides some practical examples that show how through small acts of compassion, like placing water out for wildlife, we can retain hope in ourselves, each other and our environment.