After beginning her career fighting fires from helicopters in Canada, Erin Tassell has become the first female State Duty Officer in the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction’s Parks and Wildlife Service—helping lead the response to major bushfires across the State.

Do you have a story about the time you climbed the Gloucester Tree?  

It’s the tree adventure that has sparked countless dinner-table stories and topped bucket lists for generations. Whether you’re determined to conquer a fear of heights, chasing an adrenaline rush, or simply craving a moment of connection with nature, the Gloucester Tree has been creating unforgettable memories for decades. Now, after some much needed restoration, WA’s most famous tree climb is back.

In late 2025, conservation officers set out into the remote and rugged wilderness of the Fitzgerald River National Park to assess the health of several populations of threatened flora. Two months later, lightning ignited a bushfire that burned almost half of the park. Despite such a large and intense summer bushfire, the team is optimistic that these threatened flora can thrive into the future.