Driven by Nature Driven by Nature

Rosie Fuggle is a microbial ecologist at the University of Sydney. She started her research career questioning why seagrass transplantations around the world were failing - what were we overlooking? Could it be to do with microorganisms in the sediment? This research led her to ask broader questions about resilience in microbial communities. In this conversation she introduces us to the vast world of micro-organisms and the ways in which they challenge and affirm traditional ecological theory.

Follow Rosie's research here.

This episode was recorded on the land of the Muwinina people.

Produced by Yanti, music by Dan Kowald.

Mbak Nova Ruth Senyaningtyas is an artist, musician and environmental advocate. She and her partner Grey Filastine perform stories of ecological crisis and hope around the world from aboard their boat the Arka Kinari. Their shows mix the traditional music of east Java, Nova's home, and electronic music.

In our conversation, Nova shares her insights on the role of art in activism, climate change from the point of view of the global south, and lessons learnt from a life on the ocean.



on spotify

Nova Ruth on bandcamp

Songs sampled in the episode are from the album 'Napak Tilas', released 2019 by Nova Ruth: Wong Kang Murka and Di Antara Perbatasan.



Thank you to Dan Kowald for intro music and Bellendena Small Grants Scheme for their support.



Recorded on the land of the Muwinina people.

Ella Roles is a keen bird watcher who is passionate about sharing experiences of the natural world with others through guiding and events. She is the coordinator for this year’s Bruny Island Bird Festival, held in March, which brings together science, conservation, community and creativity on the little island of the east coast of Tasmania. We explore the many facets of the role she takes facilitating people’s experiences in the natural world, and are introduced to some of the incredible birds of lutruwita/Tasmania. 

The Bruny Island Bird Festival will run from the 15th - 17th of March 2024.

Shoutout to Daniel Kowald for the intro music and the Bellendena Small Grants Scheme for their support.

Carla and Yanti are excited to be back with a second season of Driven By Nature. In our first interview of 2024, Carla interviews Harry Hackett, who is working to conserve Glossy Black Cockatoos on Bundjalung country in north-east NSW.

Harry, affectionately nicknamed-named after 70s TV presenter and naturalist Harry Butler, works with environmental NGO Wildbnb Wildlife Habitat on The Glossies Northern Rivers project. This project is a partnership between Wildbnb, WWF-Australia and NSW Saving our Species. We take a deep dive into the ecology and threats to the Northern River’s glossy black cockatoos and will see just how powerful the role of the community can be to protect threatened species.
Here are some of the links to the resources mentioned in this episode.

Glossy Squad Facebook Group

Wild Bnb Wildlife Habitat

Black Cockatoo Identification


Shoutout to Daniel Kowald for the intro music and the Bellendena Small Grants Scheme for their support.

Jason Smith is a palawa man and cultural fire practitioner based in the Huon Valley of Lutruwita Tasmania. Join us as we chat about the ancient and evolving practice of cultural burning. This episode was recorded around the campfire on melukerdee land in the Huon Valley. Along with our conversation is audio from a cultural burning workshop Jason held in June. Let the crackling of the fire, the rustle of leaves and the song of black cockatoos transport you there with us.



If you are in the neighbourhood, I highly recommend attending one of Jason’s workshops! I think you’ll be convinced. He advertises them on the facebook page Patrula Nayri (Fire good)Traditional Fire Workshops Cygnet.



Thanks to Bellendena Small Grants Scheme for the support to buy better recording equipment, making your listening and our creating experience so much more enjoyable.



Recorded on melukerdee country, produced on muwinina country. Our utmost respect to ancestors, elders and community members.



Intro music by Dan Kowald.

Production by Yanti.

Dr Holly Bradley is a conservation scientist based in Perth. She recently completed a PhD on the ecology of the meelyu, the Western Spiny-tailed Skink, using novel techniques such as plasticine models and lidar
imaging. During her research, Holly collaborated with a local traditional owner from the Badimia community, to share knowledge on this threatened species. Together, they are writing a picture book in the critically endangered Badimia language, sharing the story of the meelyu to generations to come.