Discover the CLLMM Research Centre's Community Advisory Forum (RCAF) and its impactful individuals. This month, we explore the motivations behind Monika Rhodes participation.
Dr Monika Rhodes holds a PhD in ecology and has over twenty-five years experience of nature conservation and environmental management across government, academia, and the industry. In 2019, Monika took on the position of Principal Officer Environmental Strategy in Alexandrina Council, in charge of environment and climate change. She moved to Goolwa because of the natural beauty with its diverse and significant biodiversity values. She has developed close relationships with key partners across this region. As Alexandrina Council’s representative, Monika brings to the Research Centre Advisory Forum a detailed knowledge of the environmental and climate change challenges faced in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) region.
What does the CLLMM region mean to you?
I love this region with its unique ecosystems, its beauty and the variety of flora and fauna species across the terrestrial, riverine, estuarine and marine environments.
What do you think are the greatest issues facing the region in relation to climate change?Reduced rainfall in our region and along the whole of the Murray Darling Basin together with increased temperatures means that our biodiversity will need to adopt to the new norm. The Millennium Drought taught us about the direct link between the ecosystem’s health and the economic, social and cultural wellbeing. This means that we need to manage carefully the natural resources that are given to us.
Why did you want to join the Advisory Forum of the Research Centre and how do you think the CLLMM Research Centre can help the region? I am very passionate about protecting and conserving the region’s environment. The issues we face to manage our land, biodiversity and waters across the CLLMM region can’t be managed alone. This requires collaboration across the region with the community, land managers, government, and research institutions working together.
What do you hope for the future of the CLLMM region?
That the beauty and importance of our region will remain and is not lost to increased pressures of climate change, population growth, and increased industrialisation. I hope that the next generation continues to enjoy the region’s unique environments and nature.