Michelle Ward

(She/her)

16

Articles

0

Comments
Tower Hill (1855) Eugene von Guerard

Australia has pledged to restore nature. But could we ever bring back lost ecosystems?

Michelle Ward, Griffith University; Brendan Wintle, The University of Melbourne; Jack Pascoe, The University of Melbourne; James Watson, The University of Queensland, and Martine Maron, The University of Queensland

From oyster reefs to bandicoot grasslands, many Australian ecosystems no longer exist. Restoring nature is a good goal – but we cannot return to the past.
Kakadu National Park is a well-known example of protected land. Liana Joseph/Author provided

Australia has dedicated more than 20% of its land to conservation but not where it matters most

James Watson, The University of Queensland; Carly Cook, Monash University; Michelle Ward, Griffith University, and Ruben Venegas Li, The University of Queensland

We’ve committed to protect 30% of our lands and waters by 2030. But our endangered species are still struggling, according to four environmental scientists.
Land clearing in Queensland. Martin Taylor

Poor compliance and broad exemptions mean land clearing continues apace in northern Australia – despite our laws and pledges

Hannah Thomas, The University of Queensland; Martine Maron, The University of Queensland; Martin Taylor, The University of Queensland, and Michelle Ward, Griffith University

Three years ago, Australia pledged to end deforestation by decade’s end. But land clearing continues due to legal exemptions and a lack of enforcement
At least 250 threatened species have had their habitat hit by fires. Gena Dray

Six million hectares of threatened species habitat up in smoke

Michelle Ward, The University of Queensland; Aaron Greenville, University of Sydney; April Reside, The University of Queensland; Ayesha Tulloch, University of Sydney; Brooke Williams, The University of Queensland; Emily Massingham, The University of Queensland; Helen Mayfield, The University of Queensland; Hugh Possingham, The University of Queensland; James Watson, The University of Queensland; Jim Radford, La Trobe University, and Laura Sonter, The University of Queensland

Approximately 70 nationally threatened species have had at least 50% of their range burnt, while nearly 160 threatened species have had more than 20% burnt.
Koalas are among the threatened native species worst affected by habitat loss. Taronga Zoo

Environment laws have failed to tackle the extinction emergency. Here’s the proof

Michelle Ward, The University of Queensland; April Reside, The University of Queensland; Hugh Possingham, The University of Queensland; James Watson, The University of Queensland; Jeremy Simmonds, The University of Queensland; Jonathan Rhodes, The University of Queensland, and Martin Taylor, The University of Queensland

A staggering 7.7 million hectares of critical habitat has been destroyed since environment laws were enacted - and 93% was not referred to the federal government for assessment.
The critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possum lives within a single federal electorate. Their local MP has a responsibility to be their voice. Zoos Victoria

Just ten MPs represent more than 600 threatened species in their electorates

James Watson, The University of Queensland; April Reside, The University of Queensland; Brooke Williams, The University of Queensland; Hugh Possingham, The University of Queensland; Martine Maron, The University of Queensland; Michelle Ward, The University of Queensland; Richard Fuller, The University of Queensland; Scott Consaul Atkinson, The University of Queensland, and Stephen Kearney, The University of Queensland

Just a handful of federal members of parliament represent hundreds of Australia’s threatened species.

Contact Michelle for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision