Terri Janke appointed co-chief author of the Australian State of Environment Report

We are excited to announce that Dr Terri Janke has been appointed a co-chief author of the 2021 National State of the Environment Report (SoE). This is the first time an Indigenous author has been appointed, strengthening the recognition of Indigenous knowledge and science in the management of the Australian environment.

Terri, an international authority on protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Solicitor Director of the legal firm Terri Janke and Company, will be working with two fellow co-chief authors who are environmental scientists, Professor Emma Johnston and Dr Ian Cresswell.

Professor Johnston is the Dean of Science and the former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of NSW, and a leading authority in marine ecology. Dr Cresswell is the chair of The Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute and has led several major environmental research programs in Australia developing fundamental tools for ecosystem management.

The trio will be leading an expert team which includes a number of Indigenous peoples. Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the report will be prepared during a critical time for the country, as communities continue to focus on bushfire recovery, climate adaptation, native species, the natural environment and heritage.(*)

Terri says, "I'm looking forward to working on the State of Environment Report as a co-chief author with Professor Emma Johnson and Dr Ian Cresswell. This time there will be Indigenous authors collaborating with non-Indigenous authors, including Joe Morrison who will be putting together the Indigenous theme."

The Report is scheduled for release in December 2021.

Photo by Jamie James photography

References:

(*) https://minister.awe.gov.au/ley/media-releases/state-environment-report-co-chiefs-appointed