Native grassland research supports bush heritage
Bush Heritage Australia (BHA) recently released their national 10-year science plan. The plan was launched at BHA's Scottsdale Reserve, approximately 50 km south of Canberra, and was attended by media, local community groups and representatives from a number of universities. As a UTS researcher that uses field sites at Scottsdale, Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster (C3) PhD candidate Chris Watson was invited to represent the diverse types of research that are conducted on BHA lands. Chris researches the dynamics of native grasslands, of which there are many types in the region, and is a member of the C3 Remote Sensing Research Group.
BHA is a not-for-profit organisation that owns and manages
Attendees were treated to a tour of the Scottsdale property, which includes areas of lowland grassland and open woodland as well as spectacularly rugged high country. Despite some brisk winds and snow, the event drew media from Canberra and the ACT, and other guests from Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Support for the plan was overwhelmingly positive, with many researchers already discussing further ideas for research with one another on the day. The research capabilities of UTS were strongly on display, not just through Chris' attendance, but also in the new branding on the UTS Troopie that Chris was driving!
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