Stronger Together – Navigating Environmental Challenges Ahead
Join us for a community forum with experts, First Nations voices, and locals to explore today’s key environmental challenges. Learn about algal blooms, avian flu, and climate change, while discovering practical ways to manage eco-anxiety. Together, we’ll share knowledge and build stronger connections with Country, community, and environment.
Speakers
Mark Koolmatrie – Ngarrindjeri Elder & local business owner
Mark is a proud tribal man of wisdom and knowledge from the Ngarrindjeri Nation. His family are some of the custodians of the Coorong and Lower Lakes, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and their lands, waters and cosmology. Mark is also the owner operator of Kool Tours where he shares and celebrates the wisdom of the Ngarrindjeri through education and cultural tourism in the region.
Professor Shauna Murray – Marine Biologist: University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney
Shauna is an experienced marine biologist researching ecology and evolution, using molecular genetic techniques. Marine biotoxins produced by single-celled marine protists, are amongst the most toxic substances yet recorded. They can have severe detrimental impacts on a diverse range of marine species and ecosystems. In particular, poor water quality from harmful algae and pathogenic bacteria impact fisheries and aquaculture industries, both in Australia and worldwide. Shauna has been providing advice to the SA government around the Karenia mikimotoi algal bloom.
Dr Brianna le Busque – Program Director: Environmental & Geospatial Science, UniSA
Brianna is a lecturer in STEM who focuses on human dimensions of environments/wildlife. She is a passionate educator, having worked in higher education for seven years, teaching across a variety of disciplines (including psychology, health, and business). Bri’s research work focusses on conservation psychology, investigating biophilia (connection to nature) and bio phobia (fear / dislike of nature and animal species). Through her work and personal interests Bri brings a deep understanding of human behaviour.
Dr Karl Hillyard – Avian Flu Preparedness Coordinator: NPWS, DEW
Karl works managing human and wildlife interactions. Karl has been working with colleagues across the country and the world to prepare for the arrival of the H5N1 bird flu in Australia. This is an imminent threat to our waterways and birdlife. Karl has spent time as an outdoor educator and tour guide on KI and worked for MRLB in wetland management and with the federally funded Riverine Recovery project. His role now is as the Principal Ecologist for NPWS.
Professor Paul Arbon – Director: Torrens Resilience Initiative, Flinders University
Professor Arbon is a Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor, Director of the Torrens Resilience Initiative and Professor of Nursing (Population Health). The Torrens Resilience Initiative was established in 2009 to improve the capacity of organisations and societies to respond to disruptive challenges that have the potential to overwhelm local disaster management capabilities and plans. Current research and development is focused on community and organisational resilience, mass gathering health and health security. The Institute hosts the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Mass Gatherings and Global Health Security.
Friday 5th September 2025
6.30 to 8.30pm
CLLMM Research Centre
Level 1/92 Barrage Road GOOLWA SA 5214
Register: https://events.humanitix.com/stronger-together-navigating-environmental-challenges-together