Murchison Gorge, Kalbarri National Park. Photo by H.Ensikat
Murchison Gorge, Kalbarri National Park. Photo by H.Ensikat

About the Biodiversity Information Office

The Biodiversity Information Office (BIO) is responsible for making Western Australian biodiversity data more discoverable, accessible, and useable. To deliver this change, BIO has developed the Dandjoo biodiversity data platform to mobilise data from all environment-related sectors, including government, industry, research, and the community. BIO’s day-to-day work also includes a program of data-sharing and outreach work, identifying and sourcing priority datasets for release, and managing a central catalogue of the state's taxonomic information.

BIO works in partnership with the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (formerly Agriculture, Water and the Environment) as part of the cross-jurisdictional Digital Environmental Assessment Program. In 2022 Western Australia became the first State to deliver data for the Commonwealth’s new Biodiversity Data Repository as a part of this initiative.

BIO is central to Western Australia’s long-term digital strategy for environmental assessment and approvals, supporting high-quality, efficient, and transparent decision-making with reliable data. To allow this, Dandjoo has been designed to support seamless integration with other government platforms, including the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s forthcoming Environment Online service.

Our people

Helen Ensikat Manager Biodiversity Information Office

Nikolai Panine Technical Lead (Data Specialist)

Robert Cechner Business Analyst & Principal Project Officer

Danny Murphy Senior Software Engineer (Design Specialist)

Zahurul Huq Software Engineer

Harlan Pichette A/Data Engineer

Samuel Marcus Data Engineering Officer

Amanda Barker Data Engineering Officer (Biodiversity Specialist)

Kiah Grogan Science Officer (Flora)

Cassia Piper Science Officer (Fauna)

Related

Dunnart at Julimar State Forest. Photo by G Anderson
Animal Science Program

Research program to understand the factors and processes critical to the conservation of WA’s unique native fauna.

100 Year Forest_Michael Pez_DBCA
Ecosystem Science Program

Research program to understand the environmental, ecological and biogeographical processes that determine the conservation values, health and productivity of the lands and inland waters managed by the department.

An experimental burn moving slowly through the understory of an open forest
Fire Science Program

Research to inform fire management and biodiversity conservation in Western Australia.

A scientist sitting in an arid landscape with surverying equipment to their right
Kings Park Science Program

Research program in native plant biology and ecology, ex situ conservation, and ecological restoration, informing the conservation and management of Western Australia's biodiversity and ecosystems.

outhern right whales at Point Ann, Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo by Peter Nicholas/DBCA
Marine Science Progam

Science program to undertake marine research and monitoring to support and improve the scientific basis for the conservation and management of WA’s marine protected areas, threatened and protected marine fauna and marine biodiversity.

A small turtle hatchling curled up on a hand
Perth Zoo Science Program

Research program to support the breed-for-release programs for six threatened species.

Verticordia insignis subsp. insignis. Photo by Kevin Thiele/DBCA
Plant Science and Herbarium Program

Research, collections management and biodiversity knowledge program to create and disseminate new knowledge on the diversity, distribution, evolution and ecology of the state’s flora. 

False colour images showing how the same landscape is imaged by different sensors from a drone.
Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis Program

Research program to integrate the science and application of remote sensing and spatial analysis into departmental programs.

Dolphin and pelican
Rivers and Estuaries Science Program

Research program to undertake and support research across a wide range of disciplines to address knowledge gaps and inform management of the Swan Canning Riverpark. 

Close up of a small black triangular seed in the dirty palm of a researcher
Species and Communities Program

Species and Communities Program coordinates the listing, management and recovery of threatened species, ecological communities and wetlands.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional owners throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.