From cockatoo calls to AI, drones, LIDAR and eDNA — discover how science and innovation are working hand-in-hand to protect Australia’s threatened species.
The Tech Meets Nature Showcase is a free, full-day event bringing together Indigenous rangers, researchers, community groups and conservationists from across Australia to explore the real-world ways technology is helping us better understand and care for Country.
This National Science Week event is for anyone passionate about wildlife, science, and practical conservation — from citizen scientists and Landcare volunteers to local councils, environmental professionals, and tech-curious nature lovers.
Tech Meets Nature Showcase event details
Date: Tuesday 12 August 2025
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm AEST
Location: G40 Auditorium, Griffith University, Gold Coast
Format: Attend in person or join via livestream – all sessions are free.
Register here: https://bit.ly/RegistraterforShowcase
What you’ll hear about
We’ve curated a powerful, practical program that covers everything from cultural knowledge to cutting-edge science. Expect real stories, smart tools, and field-tested insights across four themed sessions:
Dr Daniella Teixeira – Acoustic Monitoring for Glossy Black-Cockatoos
QUT researcher and leading bioacoustics expert presenting tools and tips for using sound to detect threatened birds at scale—powerful, cost-effective, and field-ready.
Minyumai Rangers – Cultural Knowledge + Tech on Country
Indigenous Rangers blending traditional knowledge with 4G cameras, drones and acoustic monitors to protect koalas, dingoes and glossy black-cockatoos on their Country
Kieran Aland – Listening In: How Passive Acoustic Monitoring Is Changing Wildlife Surveys
Field ecologist and biodiversity buff sharing how Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) is unlocking new ways to detect and understand wildlife—revealing what our ears can’t and transforming how we listen to nature
Joshua Cooper – Malleefowl Conservation through LIDAR
Coordinator of the National Malleefowl Recovery Group, showcasing how LIDAR and spatial analytics are revolutionising species surveys and citizen science efficiency.
Sydney Collett – Insights from the Field: Threatened Species Research
Conservation scientist with BMRG translating research on turtles and finches into practical outcomes for threatened species management in the Burnett-Mary region
Dr Mark de Bruyn – Environmental DNA for Biodiversity Monitoring
Griffith University evolutionary biologist using eDNA to assess biodiversity at massive scales—unlocking insights from sediment to sea for both extinct and living species
Dr Tamielle Brunt – eDNA and Platypus Conservation in Queensland
Ecologist and PlatypusWatch project officer applying eDNA to track elusive platypus populations—driving evidence-based conservation through council collaborations
Dr Douglas Kerlin – Eyes on the Road: Using AI and Cameras to Prevent Koala Vehicle Strikes
Griffith University ecologist using AI-powered 4G camera networks to track koala movements near roads and rail, helping communities and councils reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and protect threatened urban populations.
Hadley Mills – Harnessing AI and Drones for Feral Deer Management
City of Gold Coast biosecurity lead using drones, thermal imagery, and AI to monitor feral deer across 4,500+ hectares—blending tech, policy, and practical conservation.
Roxane Blackley – Satellite Imagery for Pest Control in the Channel Country
Remote sensing expert from Desert Channels Queensland showing how satellite data is used to detect and manage pest outbreaks in remote arid landscapes.
Dan Crouch & Dan Carter (QYAC) – Combining Cultural Knowledge and Science on Quandamooka Country
Quandamooka ranger and rehab expert share how cultural knowledge and science guide land management—from drone surveys of koalas to fire history, feral control, and swamp daisy recovery—protecting Country and culture, together
How to register
The event is completely free, whether you attend in person or watch online.
All you need to do is register:
Can’t stay all day? No worries. Online participants can drop in and out of sessions as needed.
Why attend?
- See real-world examples of how technology is supporting conservation — from deserts to creeks and city streets
- Learn from Indigenous rangers, scientists, and tech innovators
- Discover open-source tools and scalable solutions you can use in your own work
- Network with others working on the frontline of environmental care
- Celebrate National Science Week with a practical, community-focused event
Share the Event
Please share the Facebook Event with your networks and tag someone who’d love to join!
The Conservancy received grant funding for this project through Inspiring Australia – An Australian Government Initiative.
