Tom Le Breton

I grew up exploring the forests, sand dunes and mountains of the south coast on Yuin Country, where I developed a lifelong interest in the environment and conservation. After finishing school, I volunteered on conservation projects overseas. This gave me a global perspective and reinforced just how unique Australia’s biodiversity is. My first research project returned me to the forests of my childhood to study a threatened shrub, Pomaderris bodalla, which was declining in the absence of fire. This project brought home the extinction crisis and the urgent need to conserve our rare plant species.

In my current role as Research Associate at the University of New South Wales, my work has focused on understanding how fire affects threatened plants and translating that science into policy and management. My contributions to plant conservation in Australia have also included conservation assessments for the NSW Government and national projects such as the emergency conservation response following the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, which affected more than 9,000 plant species.

The experience and connections I have gained through this work motivated me to help establish the Australia Plant Specialist Group under the IUCN Species Survival Commission. The group brings together researchers, government workers and conservation practitioners from around Australia, with the shared goal of improving national coordination in assessing extinction risk and conserving Australia’s flora.

To lead this work effectively, I want to learn from countries and institutions that have successfully coordinated large-scale plant conservation. A Churchill Fellowship will give me the opportunity to learn directly from those leaders and bring their lessons back to Australia.

By undertaking this Fellowship, I hope to help build the knowledge, connections and coordination needed to better protect Australia’s unique flora and ensure these plants are conserved for generations to come.