South West welcomes next generation of conservation managers as new recruits descend on region

The South West has welcomed its next generation of conservation managers as new recruits descend on the region.

For the first time since 2013, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservations and Attractions’ Parks and Wildlife Service is benefiting from a regional focused intake of new conservation managers, with 14 new graduates shared across the State.

Of the new graduates, four will be making the move into the South West with Port Denison’s Jordan Moreschi landing in Manjimup and Pemberton, South Bunbury’s Anai Gelmi going to Collie, Perth’s Paige Montebello heading to the Busselton-Margaret River region and Victoria’s Taylor Whyatt going to Narrogin.

All of the graduates hold degrees in wildlife conservation science, environmental science, marine biology and freshwater science, zoology, physics, and environment and heritage and took part in a week-long orientation in Exmouth.

Over the course of their two-year graduate contracts, the group will rotate through various operational areas, including fire management, joint management with Traditional Owners, marine and land conservation, and visitor services.

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn congratulated the graduates on starting their public service journey.

“With a regionally-based workforce, it makes sense to recruit the brightest talent from right across the State to build careers managing some of WA’s most important natural assets, including national parks,” he said.

“I have no doubt these recruits will not just be great additions to the department, but also to the regional communities they will be living in.”