Danielle Bain
NW Hub, Geelong class facilitator
Danielle has been working in environmental science for 20 years starting her career as a public servant advising policy makers in Canberra, then joining an NGO in Broome, coordinating a citizen science project.
Danielle discovered the importance of nature connection while travelling around Australia, realising that it’s the crucial first step for people to want to care for the environment. This started Danielle’s journey as a passionate advocate and facilitator for nature play, outdoor activities and environmental education. The Nature Stewards program is a perfect culmination of all of the above.
Jordan Crook
Melbourne class facilitator
Jordan has a decade’s worth of experience in conservation and land management and arboriculture industries working across all land tenures including national parks, bushland reserves and private property and is passionate about thoughtful and meaningful management of natural areas for conservation of our precious and irreplaceable plants, animals and ecosystems.
Jordan is formally qualified in Conservation and Land Management and Arboriculture. Jordan is also a Nature Campaigner at the Victorian National Parks Association.
Jack Dewhurst
Melbourne & Knox class facilitator
Jack is a motivated and experienced nature communicator with a passion for Australia’s unique natural environment. He has a diversity of experiences in the environmental field, including working for government, universities, NGO’s and private companies.
He is particularly interested in developing effective science communication, as well as citizen science programs having worked closely alongside Birdlife Australia to implement their beach nesting bird program on the Mornington Peninsula. He is very excited to be involved in the Nature Stewards program to share his experiences and to learn from a like-minded community.
Julie White
Ballarat class Facilitator
Julie is the co-founder of Environmental Evolution – an environmental consultancy that works with local government, businesses and international corporations to empower them to become sustainable in all of their operations. With over 20 years experience as a facilitator, project manager and strategic planner she has had the joy of supporting her clients achieve fantastic outcomes for the environment.
Before Julie was a consultant she taught sustainability and science to students ranging from prep through to Year 12. She worked with over 60 schools to help them become certified with ResourceSmart and designed innovative and creative programs while she taught at Earth Ed Specialist Science Centre. Prior to that, her humble beginnings begun as extension officer for the state government in the land management area – dealing with all things related to salinity – be it dryland, irrigation or urban salinity.
Nicole Henry
Melbourne, Geelong, NW Hub class facilitator
Growing up in regional and coastal Victoria ignited an interest in the natural environment for Nicole. Encouraged by her biology teaching father, Nicole pursued her passion in botany and zoology and has worked as a Science educator in both government and independent school sectors for many years, developing expertise in senior biology.
Nicole believes that no matter what our past experiences, we can all benefit from a greater understanding of our environment. Her passion for the natural environment has continued with her own children studying environmental science and population geography and science at a tertiary level.
Milo Pace
Whittlesea class facilitator
Milo is an environmental scientist with experience working in the public sector and environmental advocacy, with over two years experience working in STEM education. Milo studied plant science and earth science at Monash University, and they have a particular interest in native ecology, plants and fungi.
Milo is also working for the Australian Conservation Foundation, and a regular Landcare volunteer. They are passionate about the conservation and rehabilitation of Australian ecosystems, and building the resilience of communities in the face of climate change.
George Paras
Merri-bek and Moonee Valley class facilitator
Growing up as a migrant kid in Melbourne’s polluted industrial western suburbs, George fell in love with Victoria’s natural places, with every family picnic and school excursion. Studying agricultural science, George got involved in many volunteer conservation and naturalist groups. His involvement in native freshwater fish conservation efforts/groups led him to a major in fish ecology and environmental science in his undergraduate degree. George has made a long career as an environmental educator and ranger, with nearly four decades at La Trobe University’s Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserves.
George is driven by practical things we can do to support local biodiversity and wildlife, through indigenous gardening choices, right up to taking community revegetation and bushland management action, in our neighbourhood public land and reserves. As an avid wildlife watcher, George is passionate about re-growing habitat for our local animals, through understanding their basic ecological needs, with an emphasis on our local urban environment.
Mia Stephens
Yarra Ranges class facilitator
Mia has always been immersed in the minute particulars. She is enchanted by ‘belly plants’—those which are so small you have to be on your belly to really see and appreciate—and the whole of nature is her love.
Mia currently works as the gardener at Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School in Warranwood and has worked in habitat management for over 20 years.
Jeff White
Whittlesea, Yarra Ranges class facilitator
Jeff was born in Boston Massachusetts and grew up exploring the coastlines, lakes, rivers, meadows and forests of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. As a student he studied ecology, geography and natural history and developed a passion for education, conservation and advocating for wild places and wild creatures.
Since coming to Melbourne he has earned a Master’s degree in Environment & Sustainability from Monash University. He has since worked in environmental education, community development, permaculture gardening and most recently, community mental health. Currently he is studying ecological psychology and exploring the myriad benefits of nature connection and forest therapy with clients.
Anton Vigenser
Mornington Peninsula Class Facilitator
Growing up on the Mornington Peninsula, the great outdoors was in Anton’s DNA from the start. After a career as a Lifeguard, Anton gained a role at Lifesaving Victoria as an education facilitator, traveling rural inland towns teaching beach and water safety to Primary School classrooms.
Upon completion of a Batchelor of Environmental Science, Anton joined the Bushland Restoration industry, combining a passion for the outdoors with a career that is rewarding and satisfying. Over a decade in, Anton has worked on countless Bushland reserves and facilitated many Friends Groups along the way. Joining the Nature Stewards team, Anton will again combine a passion for the outdoors, with the enthusiasm to pass on his deep knowledge of the environment to others.
