Join us for Forest Frontline

An evening with local experts on what’s happening in our region and how we can protect it.

We care deeply about our Richmond forests - and the wildlife they sustain, especially our precious koalas.

We’ve all seen the headlines.
But what’s actually happening here in our region?
And what can we realistically do together?

On March 21, join us to hear from frontline campaigners and local experts who know these forests best, to hear about the plan to secure protection for Richmond River Koala Parks.

This is a chance to understand what’s at stake - and how protection is possible when our community stands together.

Our Speakers

Dailan Pugh OAM
Dailan Pugh is a long-time forest ecologist and campaigner with decades of experience documenting and defending high conservation value forests across northern NSW. He has been centrally involved in identifying old-growth forests, mapping endangered ecological communities, and advocating for stronger protections for threatened species. Dailan has worked extensively on issues relating to logging impacts, biodiversity conservation, and forest policy reform. At this event, he will outline the Richmond River Koala Parks proposal — its ecological foundations, conservation significance, and the opportunity it presents to protect critical koala habitat, intact catchments and biodiversity corridors in the southern Richmond River valley and Richmond Range.

Dr Steve Phillips
Dr Steve Phillips is one of Australia’s leading koala ecologists, with more than three decades of experience researching koala populations, habitat requirements and conservation management. He has conducted extensive field research across eastern Australia and has developed koala habitat assessment methodologies widely used in planning and conservation. Steve’s work focuses on understanding the factors that enable viable koala populations to persist in fragmented and disturbed landscapes. He will speak about the status of koalas in the Richmond region and what genuine habitat protection must include if we are to secure their long-term survival.

Maria Matthes
Maria Matthes is a respected wildlife ecologist specialising in koala conservation, habitat assessment and population monitoring. She has worked across northern NSW conducting field surveys and advising on conservation planning for threatened species. Maria brings deep on-ground knowledge of koala habitat use, feed-tree preferences and landscape connectivity requirements. Her work emphasises the importance of protecting large, intact forest systems to maintain viable koala populations. At this event, Maria will share insights into the current condition of koalas in the Richmond region and the habitat protections necessary to safeguard their future.

David Milledge
David Milledge is an ornithologist and conservation ecologist with more than 45 years of experience studying the birds and ecology of north-east NSW rainforests and eucalypt forests. His work has contributed significantly to understanding habitat requirements for forest-dependent species, particularly those reliant on hollow-bearing trees. David is a strong advocate for the protection of old growth and mixed age forests that provide critical nesting and denning sites for cockatoos, owls and gliders and countless other species. He will highlight the ecological importance of tree hollows and why the conservation of old trees is essential for maintaining biodiversity across the Richmond landscape.

Associate Professor Andrew Brooks
Associate Professor Andrew Brooks is a river scientist at Griffith University and Streamology, with expertise in geomorphology, catchment processes and river rehabilitation. His research explores how land use and forest cover influence river health, sediment movement and long-term catchment resilience. Andrew has worked extensively on understanding how intact native forests contribute to more stable hydrology, good water quality and climate buffering. He will discuss the critical connection between healthy forests and healthy rivers, and why protecting forests in the Richmond catchment is fundamental to sustaining water systems for communities and ecosystems.

Dr Kristin den Exter
Kristin rides the boundaries between social and ecological systems focussing on collaboration, co-design and participatory processes for creating resilience. Kristin has been working with communities, governments, universities, and the corporate sector for the past 20 years to bring together stakeholder knowledge for the benefit of all. Crossing the boundaries from ecosystem restoration to human centred design, Kristin is as comfortable getting her hands dirty, as she is facilitating using creative approaches for knowledge sharing and knowledge creation.
Kristin has held previous roles with Southern Cross University in research, teaching and community engagement, as a Product Developer for Regen Farmers Mutual, and as the Partnerships Manager for the National Landcare Network, the peak body representing Community Landcare across Australia. Alongside Co Founding the Richmond Riverkeeper Association, Kristin is an Adjunct Professional Fellow (Engagement) with Southern Cross University, and the Business Lead for Jagun Alliance Aboriginal Corporation.

How to get there

The White Brook theatre is located on the Southern Cross University campus.

There is plenty of parking located a short walk from the theatre, indicated in the map below. On the day, someone will be stationed on campus to direct attendees to parking.