Meet the Connecting Country office team of 2018

Posted on 11 January, 2018 by Tanya Loos

As we welcome in a new year, we thought it appropriate to re-introduce you to the team at the Connecting Country office. Although small in number, we make up for it in enthusiasm and commitment. And we are very modest! ; )

The Connecting Country staff are:

Frances Howe frances@connectingcountry.org.au
Director

As an environmental scientist, Frances has helped assess and manage the environmental and social impacts of large development projects, across Australia and around the world. She also worked as an environmental advisor for a non-government organisation in Lesotho (Africa). Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Master of Environment from the University of Melbourne. Having travelled far and wide, including living in the Middle East, Africa and the United States, Frances recently returned to settle in Castlemaine.

Frances lives with her husband and dog on a small bush block outside Castlemaine, surrounded by the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Frances is in the office from Monday to Thursday, overseeing Connecting Country’s projects, organisational management and administration.

Bonnie Humphreys (bonnie@connectingcountry.org.au)
Botanist, Landholder engagement and on-ground works program

Bonnie Humphreys joined the Connecting Country team as Project Officer in 2011. She grew up in Bendigo and Castlemaine and has completed her Diploma in Conservation and Land Management at the Bendigo TAFE. Bonnie has a special interest in native flora and weed ecology. Her current work includes on ground site assessments of landscapes within the Mount Alexander Shire. These assessments will help determine the best ways to protect and manage remnant vegetation. Bonnie also coordinates all of our on ground works programs, working with landholders and the Dja Dja Wurrung and Land Mate Works Crews. Bonnie lives in Barkers Creek with her partner and two dogs, Meya and Zeena.

Tanya Loos (tanya@connectingcountry.org.au)
Woodland Birds Project Coordinator,
Community Engagement and Monitoring Program

Tanya is a keen field naturalist and ecologist with a particular interest in birds and bats. She has worked for state and local government in various biodiversity and native vegetation projects, and is thrilled to be working for Connecting Country as their Monitoring and Engagement coordinator. This role includes the citizen science program and the education program. Tanya lives on a bush block in Porcupine Ridge with her husband, dog Leela and rescue parrots, and she enjoys writing about wildlife watching and plant spotting.

Asha Bannon (asha@connectingcountry.org.au)
Landcare Facilitator

Asha is a local resident with a particular interest in wildlife conservation and community engagement. After completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Deakin she moved back to Mount Alexander Shire in order to study the local bird communities. Her Honours project focused on the relationships between birds and time-since-fire in Box-Ironbark ecosystems. Asha is a strong believer in the power of community groups when it comes to land management and conservation, and she is excited to be working with and supporting our local Landcare Groups. Asha lives in Campbells Creek with her family and dog, Max.

Other important people

In our office you may also find our amazing office volunteers, Jane and Naomi, our book keeper Bruce, and the occasional member of our management committee. We also have visitors for all sorts of enquiries, meetings with staff, our steering group meetings and more!

New office hours:

The Connecting Country office is open Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Please note we are no longer open on Fridays.

We are very excited about working with our friends and supporters in 2018.