Abi Smith
Chief executive officer
Fauna Ecologist | Conservation Leader | Not-for-Profit Specialist
Abi Smith is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC). A highly respected fauna ecologist, Abi brings over 20 years of experience in threatened species recovery, wildlife management, and habitat restoration.
Her career spans senior roles across federal and state government, not-for-profit organisations, zoos, and museums—where she has led large teams, conducted ecological research, developed recovery strategies, and delivered large-scale conservation programs across Australia and it’s islands.
Abi specialises in ornithology, herpetology, and island conservation, with a strong interest in translocation ecology. She is also a committed leader in the environmental sector, currently serving as a National Committee Member for the Australian Island Alliance, as Deputy Chairperson (Operations) for Landcare Victoria Inc., Chairperson of the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard Recovery Team, and a member of several scientific advisory groups.
Since establishing TSC, Abi has overseen its growth into a leading national organisation in community-led conservation.
Abi holds a Master of Environment, Bachelor of Science (Ecology), Diploma of Leadership and Management, and a Diploma of Governance (Not-for-Profit). She is passionate about building collaborative, science-led conservation programs that empower communities and protect Australia’s unique biodiversity.
Mitch Burrows
THreatened species Ecologist
Mitch (he/him) has been working in the ecological science and landscape management industries as an environmental science professional for over 10 years.
Mitch has an Honours degree in Marine Science and specialises in marine mammal ecology, ornithology and native flora ecology. Mitch is the author of the recently published 'Field Guide to the Native Flora of Millowl (Phillip Island)'.
Having worked previously in both the public and private sectors, Mitch has a well-rounded understanding of the conservation science industry as a whole and applies this knowledge effectively in threatened species conservation. Additionally, Mitch has experience working with many marine megafauna species including humpback whales and Australian fur seals, cryptic inshore dolphin species, marine plants, migratory shorebirds and lots more.
Driven by a ceaseless desire to understand and protect the natural world, Mitch supports the TSC through on-ground conservation research and advocacy.
Dr. Matt West
Senior THreatened fauna Ecologist
Matt West (He/him) is a fauna ecologist with extensive experience in threatened species management that includes wildlife population monitoring, conservation translocations, recovery planning, and breeding of species for captive conservation programs.
Matt gained this experience as an academic researcher, as a zookeeper and zoo researcher, as a private wildlife consultant and by assisting environmental not-for-profit organizations.
Whilst broadly interested in all taxa and particularly native Australian vertebrates, Matt's has dedicated most of his career to understanding and preventing the decline of threatened amphibians. He is an advocate for strengthening relationships with communities and Traditional Owners in recognition that effective partnerships with these groups and other stakeholders are crucial for conservation success.
Matt holds qualifications in Zookeeping, a Bachelor of Science, Masters of Reproductive Science and a PhD in Amphibian Ecology.
Georgie Custance
THREATENED SPECIES ECOLOGIST
Georgie (She/her) is an experienced ecologist with a passion for biodiversity and conservation. Having worked in the not-for-profit conservation sector with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, she loves getting out in the natural world birdwatching and being hands-on in the field.
Georgie has broad experience in a diversity of areas such as wildlife translocations, bioacoustics, flora and fauna surveys, research and data management. She has worked across several locations in Australia from tropical Christmas Island and the north-west Kimberley to the semi-arid mallee of NSW and the wet forests of the southern Otways, where she currently resides.
Georgie enjoys sharing her passion and excitement for ecology to help people appreciate the intricacies of biodiversity. She hopes by encouraging others to experience the beauty of the natural world, our communities will feel a greater connection and responsibility to conserve the environment.
Molly Fisher
Graduate botanist
Molly (She/her) is in her final year of a Bachelor of Science at Monash University, majoring in Ecology and Conservation Biology and Plant Biology. Molly began volunteering with TSC in 2022 and has undertaken our internship program.
Throughout her internship, Molly has been involved in coastal butterfly surveys, community engagement and applying for grants to support future projects. Molly is especially interested in Australian native plants and the intimate connections they form with the land and other species.
She is passionate about improving her plant identification skills and expanding her knowledge onto others to engage people’s interest for the natural world.
Dr. Stan Wawrzyczek
Threatened Flora ecologist
Stan (he/him) is a botanist and pollination ecologist nearing completion of his PhD. He is passionate about protecting and restoring native flora along with their ecological interactions. Stan's expertise is in plant reproduction, population genetics and plant-pollinator interactions. He is looking forward to working with TSC to help understand the threats our flora is facing and design and implement conservation actions to ensure our most vulnerable species are thriving
Abigail Wills
threatened species project officer
Abi Wills (She/Her) has a Master of Science degree in Biodiversity Management plus over 10 years of experience working in environmental conservation, restoration, community development and capacity building. Her background is in socio-ecological research, community-based forest management, ecological restoration and landscape restoration planning.
Upon completing her Master’s in 2013, Abi spent seven years working on not-for-profit conservation and research projects in East Africa (Madagascar and Tanzania). It was in Tanzania that Abi worked on strategic landscape restoration planning and supported the establishment, monitoring and management of a 2,500 km2 network of locally managed forest reserves.
After moving to Australia in 2019, Abi spent four years working as Regional Manager for a not-for-profit in eastern Victoria, where she designed projects, leveraged partnerships, secured funding and oversaw the delivery of a variety of natural resources management initiatives.
Abi is passionate about cross-sector collaboration and in combining robust scientific research with practical on-ground interventions to enhance biodiversity outcomes. As such, much of Abi’s work has focussed on developing research-practice partnerships to enhance threatened species monitoring, recovery and management outcomes.
Dr. Christine Allen
senior Threatened flora Ecologist (advisor)
Christine (She/her) is flora ecologist with a background in managing complex projects combining conservation, land management and community engagement. Christine completed a PhD in threatened flora translocations in the Stirling Range National Park, South-west Western Australia in 2014.
Since then, she has worked for the Western Australian Government as a threatened flora officer in the Wheatbelt with a jurisdiction equivalent to the size of Turkey.
Christine also worked with not-for-profit Greening Australia in Perth and ACT, where she managed large-scale land revegetation programs in collaboration with landholders, community, local and state Governments. Christine enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for the natural world with all walks of life and finding solutions to benefit people and biodiversity.
Eleanor Fox
Threatened Flora Ecologist
Elle (She/her) has been working in the field of ecology and environmental management for over 13 years. Elle has her Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Management, Honours in arid ecosystem ecology and herpetology. She is currently completing her PhD at Federation University Australia, investigating the genetic structure of two critically endangered Victorian Eucalyptus species.
Elle has worked previously as a Landcare coordinator, thoroughly enjoying her time working with local communities to carry out ecological rehabilitation work and revegetation projects on their properties. Elle has worked with native small mammals, reptiles and birds of prey, but is always drawn back to her passion for botany and discovering what underpins the structure of Australian ecosystems. Elle supports the TSC through communications and the development of online resources.
Vickie Wong
Trainee ecologist / social media
Vickie (she/her) is currently studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Ecology & Conservation Biology and Earth Science.
After finishing her internship with TSC, Vickie is continuing to help out as a volunteer. Throughout her time at TSC, she has been involved with Black Gum conservation in Woodend, drafted progress reports for the recovery of the Pink-Tailed Worm-Lizard, and has assisted with social media posts.
Vickie has always been fascinated by the natural world, with a particular interest in all things reptiles. She is keen to continue fuelling her passion for conservation science, particularly in the conservation of threatened reptile species
Derek Smith
Occupational Health and Safety Advisor
Following an extensive career in engineering and operations management in the manufacturing and construction industries, Derek Smith (He/him) spent 14 years as an occupational health & safety professional.
Derek has extensive expertise in the areas of workplace health and safety; safety management; emergency response; environmental management as well as fire prevention and control.
In 2006, Derek completed a Masters degree in Safety, Health and Environment has a wide range of additional qualifications in the area of workplace safety.