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Saving Urban Trees
Stefan Caddy-Retalic, an adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide’s Waite Arboretum and an Environment Institute member, comments on thw preservation of the iconic Overbury Drive red gum. He shares his knowledge in urban ecology, gaining attention from major media outlets like The Guardian, Yahoo News, AOL, and MSN.
Giant Spiders and the Secrets of Nullarbor
Environment Institute member Dr Jess Marsh, has become one of the first people on written record to encounter a Troglodiplura spider in the wild, a species as large as your hand and completely eyeless. We extend our congratulations to Dr Marsh as she begins her ARC Industry Fellowship at the University of Adelaide, focusing on the Nullarbor caves and the Troglodiplura species.
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The Urgent Need to Rethink Climate Economics
A new Australian study has found that traditional economic models significantly underestimate the global economic impact of climate change, particularly when considering extreme weather events and interconnected supply chains. Mark Lawrence, Environment Institute member and an expert in climate risk from the University of Adelaide, emphasises that the economic consequences could be even worse than projected.
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How Freshwater Transformed the Coorong's Microbial World
Environment Institute members Chris Keneally and Justin Brookes and their team have conducted groundbreaking research on how floods impact microbial communities in the Coorong Lagoon. Their study revealed that the 2022 flood not only reduced methane-producing microbes but also promoted beneficial bacterial growth, highlighting the vital role of freshwater flows in restoring ecological balance.
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Are we witnessing a major setback for Australia’s nature protection laws?
A new bill introduced to Parliament seeks to limit the federal government’s ability to reconsider past environmental approvals, even when new evidence shows harm. The move is tied to ongoing salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, putting the endangered Maugean skate at further risk. Dr Phillipa C. McCormack, Environment Institute Future Making Fellow, explores the consequences in her piece for The Conversation, calling for urgent reform of Australia’s outdated environmental laws.
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2025 Illegal Wildlife Trade Workshop Recap
The Invasion Science & Wildlife Ecology Group at The University of Adelaide hosted the 2025 Illegal Wildlife Trade Workshop at the Shine Dome in Canberra. Over 50 participants attended across the two days, representing a wide range of agencies and organisations, including state government representatives, forensic scientists and tool developers.
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Students Discover New Insects Thanks to Citizen Science
Environment Institute members Dr Erinn Fagan-Jeffries and Professor Patrick O'Connor, in collaboration with Dr Trang Nguyen and Dr Andrew Howe, share in their recently published article for The Conversation how they led "Insect Investigators" project, which uncovered over 3,000 insect species previously unrecorded in the Barcode of Life DNA database. Discover how they successfully engaged students and teachers across regional Australia to help achieve this remarkable scientific milestone.
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FAO Launches Forest Genetic Resources Report
The FAO is launching a major global report on forest genetic resources, highlighting their vital role in climate resilience and sustainable development. Environment Institute Director Professor Andy Lowe contributed to a key chapter exploring tree genetic diversity across global forest ecosystems.
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Reflections of World Water Day 2025
Listen here to Dr Nina Wootton Environment Institute member, and Advisory board member Tim Jarvis AM, environmental scientist and 2024 South Australian of the Year, speak on ABC Radio Adelaide to discuss this challenges faced this World Water Day.
How To Be A “Climate Prepper” 20th Uraidla Sustainability Fair
Professor Andy Lowe celebrated 20 years of the Uraidla Sustainability fair, leading and hosting a panel discussion, identifying ways we can become "Climate Preppers".
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