Kings Park Science Program

A scientist sitting in an arid landscape with surverying equipment to their right

About Kings Park Science

The Kings Park Science Program undertakes research into native plant biology and ecology to support the conservation and management of Western Australia's unique biodiversity and ecosystems.

Research focuses on key areas of ex situ germplasm conservation, restoration ecology, threatened species recovery, plant physiology, seed science, conservation genetics, ecosystem ecology, and fire ecology.

The program also delivers science capacity to support the Western Australian Botanic Garden and the lands managed by the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, and the horticultural development of the Western Australian flora.

Kings Park Science has a long history of successful collaboration with Western Australian universities, including through postgraduate student supervision, and partners with other government and conservation agencies and industry to deliver practical outcomes in plant and ecosystem conservation and management.

Our people

Staff


Jason Stevens	Kings Park Science Program Leader
Rebecca Campbell	Senior Technical Officer
Emma Dalziell	Research Scientist (Seed Science)
Belinda Davis	Research Scientist (Orchid Conservation)
Carole Elliott	Research Scientst (Restoration Ecology)
Todd Erickson	Research Scientst (Seed Science and Restoration Ecology)
Bryn Funnekotter	Research Scientist (Biotechnology)
Peter Golos	Research Scientist (Restoration Ecology)
Siegy Krauss	Principal Research Scientist (Conservation Genetics)
Wolfgang Lewandrowski	Research Scientist (Restoration Ecophysiology)
Nicole Maher	Research Assistant
David Merritt	Principal Research Scientist (Seed Science)
Alison Ritchie	Research Scientist (Restoration Ecology)
Elizabeth Sinclair	Research Scientist (Conservation Genetics)

PhD students

Bianca Berto (UWA; Seed Science and Restoration Ecology)
Ebony Cowan (Murdoch; Fire Ecology)
Georgia Leahy (Curtin; Biotechnology and Cryopreservation)
Milana Lukic (UWA; Biotechnology and Cryopreservation)
Hannah Demerise (UWA; Restoration Engineering)
Savuti Henningsen (UWA; Seed Science)
Emily Tudor (Curtin; Ecophysiology)
Stan Wawrzyczek (LaTrobe; Pollination Ecology)
Lily Whelehan (Curtin; Biotechnology and Cryopreservation)

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.

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

Biodiversity Information Office

Making Western Australian biodiversity data more discoverable, accessible, and usable.

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.

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.

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.