From Cheetah Plains to Koala Country: A Scientist's Outback Odyssey

Today we shine our spotlight on Adel Sepehr , Natural Resource Management Officer

He writes:

A year and five months ago, I swapped the sunset of Iran for the sunshine-drenched landscapes of Queensland. It was a move from an unstable tectonic plate to settling down on a stable one, embracing the Great Barrier Reef in the Pacific Ocean. It felt like I’d stepped into  wildlife documentary, trading the mountain ranges of Iran for the shorelines in Queensland. The decision to come to Australia wasn’t based on a whim, it was fuelled by a thirst for adventure and a chance to contribute my skills and knowledge under the Global Talent visa program.

Landing in the Vegetation Management team at the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development was a stroke of luck. Although it might seem strange to some, I find great excitement in plants. For a geoscientist and ecosystem management specialist, it's like stepping into a whole new world, brimming with hidden wonders.

Gone are the days of doing over dusty fields with my students. I am now shoulder-deep in Queensland's regional ecosystems. I'm excited to climb another peak in my career, embrace new opportunities, contribute to a new team and collaborate with different leadership streams. The vegetation management team itself is a motley crew – seasoned veterans with sun-baked faces and a twinkle in their eyes, sharing their precious seeds of wisdom. Every day is a masterclass in the intricate dance between humans and the environment. I am learning how to conserve remnant, regrowth, and native ecosystems through our vegetation clearing policies and regulations. This is fundamental to ensuring that the delicate balance of nature remains intact as we work toward a sustainable and resilient Queensland.

I recently participated in a Regional Ecosystems workshop, aimed at encouraging young students at The University of Queensland to pursue their aspirations in this field through graduate programs - this was a truly rewarding experience.

It isn't all sunshine and eucalyptus breeze, of course. There are challenges – deciphering the thick Australian slang, particularly when I am advising local communities on vegetation management, or navigating the complexities of a new career, especially the compliance process, and auditing.

But through it all, the excitement never fades. Every enquiry feels like a puzzle, every piece of advice a victory for the environment. I feel a sense of responsibility as a guardian of this extraordinary land, a protector of its unique ecosystems to ensure we preserve this ecological heritage for future generations. And that, for a researcher yearning for adventure, is a purpose worth more than turquoise in Khorasan or gold in Ravenswood.

Sure, I miss the familiar sights and sounds of Iran's deserts. But here, in the land of the largest coral reef, I've found a new home, a new purpose, and a whole new world of wonder waiting to be explored. This is only the start of my next chapter, a brand new  adventure for  a geomorphologist! I can't wait to see what the future holds – one eucalyptus leaf, one critical mineral, one soil microbial, and one exciting discovery at a time.

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