Welcome to the winter edition of Nature Matters. We are excited to share our latest updates with you.

It has been a robust start to the year, as you will see with a raft of updates from across the nature reserve network, including a look back at 15 years since the establishment of Witchelina Nature Reserve.

This edition also celebrates a diversity of people involved with Nature Foundation, including this year's research grant and Artist Residency Program recipients. You will also read about the various ways Nature Foundation volunteers support our work across the reserves, in the office, and at events.

Last week, the Nature Foundation staff team, both in person and online, came together for a music-themed Reconciliation Week session. 

This session, which highlighted the power of music as a tool for communication, storytelling, collaboration, connection, and entertainment, was a valuable activity that contributed to our continual cultural capability development and commitment to reconciliation.

We are delighted to share that Nature Foundation has been selected to take part in Officework’s eighth annual Make a Difference Appeal throughout June.

The Make a Difference Appeal is an annual fundraising initiative that provides Officeworks team members the opportunity to champion local causes and organisations that are important to them and their community. 

The Make a Difference Appeal in 2025 will focus on supporting charities that enable children to learn, create and connect for a sustainable future.

Kristoffer Wild (The University of Melbourne) is the 2025 Mike Bull Award for Early Career Nature Scientists winner.

This award was established with the support of Mike's family and colleagues through the Professor Mike Bull Research Fund for Early Career Nature Scientists, to continue his important legacy in animal behaviour, ecology and conservation research and mentorship of students. The award supports the emerging career of a nature scientist. It includes a medal for academic excellence along with a $3000 grant to support the career of the recipient.

High quality nature science underpins all of our efforts to manage our unique biodiversity for future generations sustainably, and an essential aspect of this is offering research grants for university students, funded by donations from our generous supporters.

Since 2000, Nature Foundation has awarded $1,974,786 in research grants to post-graduate students, academics, and the community to kickstart careers in research, supporting 464 students.

This year five student research grants were awarded in the March 2025 round, including a new grant sponsored by benefactor Lyn Ballard, to the value of $5,000.

We are delighted to share this year’s student research grant recipients and their projects with you.