SIMON Corbell has today announced the appointment of seven expert scientists to form the ACT’s new Scientific Committee for the next three years.

“This group of experts will be responsible for providing advice to me on a range of nature conservation matters in the ACT and region,” Simon said.

“The committee is made up of some of Canberra’s leading minds in terrestrial and aquatic biology and ecology, conservation science and management. It will be a privilege to work with them on how we can better manage our local environment.

“The committee will also be responsible for a range of other functions such as reviewing the threatened species and threatened ecological community action plans and native species conservation plans.”

The Scientific Committee replaces the Flora and Fauna Committee under the Nature Conservation Act 2014, which commenced on 11 June.

“I am pleased to announce that the current chair of the Flora and Fauna Committee, Distinguished Professor Arthur Georges, will be continuing in his role as chair of the newly formed group.”

Members of the ACT Scientific Committee:

• Distinguished Professor Arthur Georges (Chairperson) is committed to sound fundamental science with a keen interest in its application in natural resource management. He has expertise in conservation biology of native Australian species, the ecology, evolution and systematic of Australian reptiles and amphibians and temperature-dependent sex determination.
• Associate Professor Penny Olsen (Deputy Chairperson) is a research scientist and author. Her expertise is birds but her experience and interests are broad, ranging from wildlife management to behavioural ecology.
• Dr Margaret Kitchin has extensive expertise in fire ecology, particularly in relation to the impact of fire on native Australian vegetation. She retains a role in post-fire recovery across ACT and NSW.
• Dr Barry Richardson is a researcher with a broad background including research in endangerment theory, conservation genetics and conservation policy. He also has experience in environmental research and taxonomic revisions for a number of species including mammals, fish and invertebrates.
• Assistant Professor Jasmyn Lynch is a conservation ecologist with expertise in conservation biology, plant ecology, rare and threatened plant species, recovery planning and botanical survey work.
• Associate Professor Mark Lintermans has more than thirty years experience in the ecology and management of freshwater ecosystems. His expertise is ecology and the management of aquatic systems, fish, waterbirds and wetlands.
• Ms Liz Dovey has expertise in conservation science and management; climate change science, impacts and adaptation; threatened species (particularly animals) and threatening processes (particularly invasive species).