Research
Where science meets action
BMRG’s research team is a dedicated group of enthusiastic professionals committed to the preservation of our unique ecosystems and species. Operating across the Wide Bay-Burnett and Fraser Coast, our team’s primary focus is on threatened species recovery, biodiversity conservation, and the rehabilitation of areas affected by fire and flood.
The research team believes in a holistic approach that considers ecological balance, and community engagement to achieve lasting and positive outcomes for our natural heritage. Central to this strategy is the preservation and integration of cultural heritage embodied within the Burnett-Mary region.
At the core of our work lies a commitment to adaptive management principles to help navigate the dynamic and ever-changing environmental landscape. We aim to ensure the resilience and sustainability of our natural habitats by staying at the forefront of cutting-edge research and conservation practices.
Projects
“Our Last Chance” - Mary River’s Threatened Species
Resilience Strategy for Threatened Species
Baffle Creek Threatened Species
200km Canoe Trip to Survey the Mary River
Our Goals
Undertake research relevant to and prioritised the region
Support and facilitate research capacity development
Publish and disseminate outcomes of research
Research Publications
Threatened Species
AUTHORS: Roberto Biello, Silvia Ghirotto, Daniel J. Schmidt, Silvia Fuselli, David T. Roberts, Tom Espinoza, Jane M. Hughes, Giorgio Bertorelle.
PUBLICATION: Saving the endangered Mary River turtle: Enhancing conservation outcomes through community engagement
AUTHORS: Campbell, M.A., Connell, M.J., Clark, N.J., Espinoza, T., Flakus, S.P., Collett, S.J. et al.
PUBLICATION: The threatened Gouldian finch preferentially forages in prescribed burnt savannas
AUTHORS: Sydney J. Collett A * , Ian J. Radford B , Mirjam Kaestli A , Tara L. Crewe A C , Stephen T. Garnett A and Hamish A. Campbell
PUBLICATION: Increased scalability and sequencing quality of an epigenetic age prediction assay
AUTHORS: Mayne B, Chandler D, Noune C, Espinoza T, Roberts D, Anderson C, et al.
PUBLICATION: Relaxation of natural selection in the evolution of the Giant lungfish genomes.
AUTHORS: Fuselli, S., Greco, S., Biello, R., Palmitessa, S., Lago, M., Meneghetti, C., McDougall, C., Trucchi, E., Rota Stabelli, O., Biscotti, A. M., Schmidt, D. J., Roberts, D. T., Espinoza, T., Hughes, J. M., Ometto, L., Gerdol, M., & Bertorelle, G.
AUTHORS: Burndred, K., & Sternberg, D.
Collaborative Partners
Traditional Owners
Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation
Gidarjil Development Corporation
Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
Port Curtis Coral Coast Trust
Jinibara AC
Kabi Kabi PAC
Funding Partners
Meet the Team
-
Tom Espinoza
CEO
-
Dr. Dave Sternberg
Senior Research Manager
-
Dr. Sydney Collett
Research Manager
-
Conway Burns
Midiru (Traditional Owner) Scientist
-
Matt Taylor
Director of Natural Capital
-
Briar Daniel
Research Administration
Globally significant species more than 150 million years old will be lost forever - if urgent action isn’t taken to save Queensland’s biodiversity hotspot – the iconic Mary River.
That is the stark message delivered by traditional owners and scientists in a powerful video released by Natural Resource Manager, the Burnett Mary Regional Group.