Western Sydney U - Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

28/05/2026

🌿🐨 Narrandera’s koalas powering vital conservation

Narrandera’s iconic koala population is playing a key role in one of the most comprehensive scientific studies of koala health ever undertaken in NSW. Researchers from the Koala Sentinel Program have returned to the Riverina for the final round of fieldwork, advancing our understanding of these much-loved animals.

As one of six Sentinel sites across the state, Narrandera provides valuable insights into koala health, genetics, disease and habitat across diverse landscapes. This work will help researchers build a clearer picture of what supports resilient koala populations in the wild.

The research is led by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia and leading universities — including Western Sydney University.

🔬 Findings from this landmark program will guide future conservation strategies and inform the next phase of action to protect koalas across NSW.

👉 Read more: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2026/04/17/nsw-koala-sentinel-program-narrandera-research.html

The University of Sydney is a research partner with the NSW Government in the most comprehensive koala health project undertaken in the state.

28/05/2026

Western Sydney University is seeking a passionate and skilled Technical Coordinator to help manage the iconic EucFACE experiment in Richmond, NSW.

In this role, you’ll collaborate with academics, researchers, and technical teams to deliver high-quality support across specialised outdoor research facilities, including the world-renowned EucFACE site and its infrastructure.

Your work will contribute to vital research into climate and environmental change, helping drive discoveries that make a real-world impact.

An exciting opportunity to step into a truly unique technical leadership position.

Find out more and apply: https://au.smrtr.io/hq_X
Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 14 June 2026.

28/05/2026

A PhD focused on tooth-billed bowerbirds – exploring their unique behaviour and rainforest ecology.
Perfect for anyone passionate about Australian wildlife research 🐦🌱 Hurry - closes 31 May!
Details here: https://www.animalecologylab.org/phd-project---toothbilled-bowerbirds.html

26/05/2026

Today is —a vital time for all Australians to pause, listen, and remember.

We acknowledge the deep, intergenerational grief and trauma that past forced-removal policies continue to inflict on First Nations families.

True healing begins with facing the hard truths of our shared history and amplifying First Nations voices.

Today, we stand in solidarity with Stolen Generations survivors, their families, and communities. We honour your strength, survival, and unbreakable connection to Country.

We are sorry.

Watch the momentous parliamentary address that marked a turning point in Australia's journey toward reconciliation: https://youtu.be/aKWfiFp24rA?si=mslJ-5HUAYLVOZlT

26/05/2026

🌱 What’s really happening beneath our feet?

New research published in Nature Portfolio reveals that the world’s soil microbiome is being fundamentally reshaped by multiple environmental stressors—from climate change to pollution and land use.

Soil microbes are the unseen engine of our ecosystems, driving nutrient cycling, supporting plant health, and maintaining soil fertility. But this study shows that when stressors combine, they don’t just change which microbes are present—they reprogram what they do.

🔬 Key insights:

Up to 60% of microbial functional genes can shift under multiple stressors
Essential processes like nitrogen and carbon cycling may be disrupted
Microbes increasingly prioritise stress survival over ecosystem functions

🌍 Why this matters:

Changes in soil microbiomes don’t stay underground—they ripple through food systems, biodiversity, and climate regulation.

Understanding these hidden shifts is critical for building resilient ecosystems in a changing world.

📖 Read the full study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-73231-9

Soil microbes drive ecosystem functions but are vulnerable to environmental stressors triggered by global change. This study reveals that multiple environmental stressors drive community-level restructuring of soil functional microbiomes globally.

26/05/2026

Future Food Systems 2026 For Food’s Sake Conference is being held in Sydney from 1 to 3 September

The conference brings together leaders from industry, research, and government to build partnerships, drive innovation, and advance Australia’s food future.

The 2026 theme, , emphasises collective action to create a resilient and sustainable food system, with discussions covering key topics such as sustainability, food security, automation, nutrition, and the circular economy.

This three-day event features a summit, research showcase, gala dinner, tours, workshops, and an exhibition space where organisations can showcase products, technologies, and services.

🎥 Watch: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2438900459924127
🔗 Register: https://events.humanitix.com/ffs2026

For Food’s Sake, hosted by Future Food Systems, is a premier platform bringing together stakeholders from across industry, research and government.

20/05/2026

It's World Bee Day!

Every year on 20 May, celebrates the importance of bees and other pollinators. Bees are important to crops with nearly two-thirds of Australian agriculture production benefitting from pollination.

Without bees, food security is at risk.

We need bees.

Find out more at: www.worldbeeday.org.au/we-need-bees/

18/05/2026

2026 Cumberland Plain Research Symposium - Tickets & Call for Abstracts Now Open

The 2026 Cumberland Plain Research Symposium is coming up on Thursday, 6 August 2026 at Western Sydney University's Parramatta City Campus. Registrations and abstract submissions are now open!
The full-day program will bring together researchers, practitioners, students, policymakers and community leaders to explore applied environmental research, on-ground restoration stories and cross-sector collaboration. This year's themes include:
• Engaging people to strengthen knowledge and practice
• On-ground restoration and conservation actions
• Translating evidence to inform decisions and practice
T
ickets: $50 + GST (includes full-day catering)

Book now: https://payments.westernsydney.edu.au/2026_Symposium_OneDay

Call for Abstracts NOW OPEN
Submissions are welcome for oral and poster presentations on topics including:
• applied ecological research
• on-ground restoration and conservation delivery
• knowledge exchange and collaboration
• Caring for Country approaches
• policy, planning and decision-making

Key dates:
• Talk submissions close: Wednesday, 10 June 2026 | 11:59pm AEST
• Poster submissions close: Friday, 26 June 2026 | 11:59pm AEST
Submit your abstract: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Lk491urfLZ
For tickets, abstract submissions or sponsorship enquiries, visit: cumberlandplainresearch.org/symposium2026

13/05/2026

The NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub has announced the recipients of its Land and Primary Industries Network Top-Up Grants, supporting emerging researchers delivering practical, low-emission solutions across .

From renewable energy systems to and innovations, these projects highlight the critical role of in accelerating the transition to .

👉 Read more: https://www.decarbhub.au/phd-grants-2026-2/

NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub Awards PhD Top-Up Grants to Advance Low-Emission Innovation 12 May 2026 3 mins Share Following strong interest from across the state’s research sector, the 2026 successful applicants of the PhD Top-Up Grant spanning green ammonia and hydrogen production, sustaina...

11/05/2026

The Koala Sentinel Program is a landmark initiative advancing our understanding of koala health. Led by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, it brings together leading research partners to deliver the most comprehensive scientific assessment of koalas in the state.

As part of this collaboration, A/Prof Ben Moore and his team at Western Sydney University, including PhD student Maria-Beatrix Almeida, are exploring the role of nutritional ecology in koala health.

By investigating disease, genetics and ecology across key sites, the program is uncovering how complex environmental and biological factors shape population health—helping inform smarter, evidence-based conservation strategies to protect this iconic species for the future.

Watch the video to learn more https://lnkd.in/gYVTAhu7