Page 20 - Tropic Magazine Issue 28

TROPIC • CONSERVATION

Emerging

environmental
leaders

YOUTH MENTORING
Words: Annabel Bowles

Terrain Natural Resource
Management (NRM) has
recently welcomed a
fresh face to its Board.

A career that nurtures the natural
environment has led Hulton King 1. Hulton King (right) with Terrain
back to his hometown. NRM Chair Keith Noble
2. Northern bettong (Credit: Stephanie Todd)
The Cairns local moved from Brisbane
and a law and business background four designed to encourage the younger
years ago to an executive role with the generation to join corporate boards.
Reef and Rainforest Research Centre. Terrain’s Board Chair Keith Noble said
The return has now seen Hulton become the one-year position helps future leaders
the Terrain NRM Board’s new ‘Emerging strengthen their career paths, as well as
Leader’, as well as volunteer in other areas brings fresh perspectives to the board.
of the region’s environmental sector. “There’s a lot of untapped leadership
One of Hulton’s goals is to strengthen potential in our region,’’ he said.
the link between science and on-the- “This program is showing us first-hand Northern Bettong Project
ground activities. just how much millennials value the
“Communicating the science and environment and look for new ways to Terrain NRM has been overseeing
research to land managers is important, make a contribution.” a $170,000 project to protect the
and seeing how it’s applied on the Terrain NRM is a not-for-profit group elusive northern bettong. After
ground,’’ he said. that works with the community to deliver a dramatic population decline
“In Northern Australia there’s an environmental and agricultural projects. in the past few decades, an
enormous amount of opportunities The organisation’s been busy with its estimated 1000 are left in the
in environmentally sustainable use of Northern Bettong Project, working to Lamb Range and Mt Spurgeon
natural assets and we all benefit from protect the endangered marsupials found areas – the species’ only known
open discussions on everything from exclusively in the Mareeba area, as well habitats. The initiative includes
water quality to renewable energy and as initiatives in cassowary corridors, soil cool burns by traditional owners
sustainable development.” erosion and carbon farming. and engaging landholders on
Hulton is the third Far Northerner to Hulton said spending time away studying land management practices in
take advantage of Terrain NRM’s new and working had given him a strong potential bettong areas. Funded
Emerging Leader mentoring program, by the Australian Government, the
appreciation for the Wet Tropics region project has also involved James
he grew up in and its natural assets. Cook University researchers,
He volunteers for Citizens of the Great Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Despite forming less than 0.2% Barrier Reef and was part of Left Right
of Australia’s landmass, the Wet officers, the World Wildlife Fund,
Tropics is the most biologically Think Tank, a not-for-profit youth-led Bush Heritage and the Australian
organisation focused on developing
diverse region in the country with: Wildlife Conservancy.
innovative public policies.
• 32% of Australia’s mammals His Reef and Rainforest role has included Northern bettongs feed mostly
coordinating forums on sustainable use on native truffles and play an
• 40% of Australia’s bird species
of nitrogen on cane farms and crown-of- important role
• 60% of Australia’s butterflies thorns starfish control measures. in spreading the
“I’m loving being back here and spores of this
• Over 3300 plant species
(700+ of which aren’t found building a career in the environmental fancy fungi around
sector,’’ he said.
anywhere else in the world) the region.
“My first experience on a board is another
• Over 600 coral species step to better understanding how we
Source: Terrain can influence in a way that’s positive and MORE: terrain.org.au
beneficial for the environment.”

20 • Tropic • Issue 28