Helen joined the Cape York NRM team as Biodiversity Project Officer during February 2020 and is based in the Cooktown office.

Helen has broad multidisciplinary experience in environmental research and management across northern Australia. She has a PhD in Marine Ecology from the University of Queensland and an Honours degree in Environmental Management from James Cook University.

Prior to joining Cape York NRM, Helen worked as Senior Research Officer at James Cook University focusing on marine wildlife management, and as an independent consultant partnering with Traditional Owner groups across Cape York on a range of projects that aim to merge Indigenous and scientific knowledge of key species and habitats. She is passionate about being guided by the priorities, values and aspirations of Traditional Owners for the management of land and sea country, particularly for the benefit of threatened species.

Helen’s role with Cape York NRM involves facilitating engagement and participation of Cape York people (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) in projects focussed on biodiversity and ecology and improved natural resource management.