Tell us about your history as an ecologist, Kurtis?
I joined E2M two years ago, coming from a larger engineering firm. Before that I was working for another business doing construction-based ecology work and fauna spotting. In that role, safety was a huge issue as I was working around heavy machinery and tree felling during land clearing. Moving into longer rural field work stints safety is more focussed on remoteness and being able to communicate if something is starting to go pear shaped.
How did you know that Ecology was the discipline for you?
I have always been interested in biology and realised that I could work with animals and plants if I did ecology. I always loved being outdoors and camping. In my spare time now, I go birding and hiking with friends.
Do you have a favourite species?
At the moment rainforest plants excite me the most. It’s amazing when you see the same patch changing with different species flowering and fruiting over the seasons. Terrestrial orchids are also great I am always scanning the ground for those.
For fauna, I think Geckos are great especially the knob-tails and ground dwellers but there are some really beautiful species hiding behind loose bark.
Do you have pets at home?
Yes, I have a Python, called Lola. I adopted her from the RSPCA about five or six years ago.
What’s your favourite part of your profession?
I’m a keen botanist. I really enjoy working outside with plants. I also enjoy the collaborating aspect when with other colleagues out in the field and we get to talk about ecology. Spotting a rare species is also very fulfilling.
And what advice would you give to a budding ecologist?
You can watch what other people do, but you have to read and investigate your own passions to find your niche. It’s important to get lost in the spirals of species to learn new things.