Abzeco Staff

 

 



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Abzeco is staffed by qualified and experienced botanists, zoologists, engineers and landscape designers. The director of the company is Richard Francis.

Richard Francis

Richard Francis is a zoologist and botanist with extensive experience of Victorian and arid-zone NSW and tropical QLD ecosystems. Richard holds a BSc in Botany and Zoology from LaTrobe University and has been working in the ecological management and restoration industry since 1991. Richard has worked as an environmental works consultant and contractor, in local government, and in the tertiary education sector. Prior to starting Abzeco Richard developed and implemented the new Conservation and Land Management Diploma training program for RMIT University.

Richard lives in Eltham north-east of Melbourne where he is able to observe the urban-bush interface daily.

Richard can be contacted directly on 0414 475 654 or richardfrancis@abzeco.com.au

 

Karl Just

Karl is a botanist who also has a strong interest in zoology, geology and cultural and natural history. Karl has undertaken fauna and flora surveys throughout most regions of Victoria, in Western Australia, South Australia, Thailand and the cloud rainforests of Fiji. Karl has been involved for a number of years in detailed ecological restoration and monitoring projects throughout the Yarra valley, Volcanic Plains and Kinglake Ranges, where he continues to work with a wide range of ecologists, park rangers and naturalists. Although interested in all things ecological, Karl has a particular interest in native orchids, fire ecology, and, grassland, desert, rainforest, riparian and wetland ecosystems. He is currently studying the little known often overlooked world of bryophytes.

Contact Karl on mobile: 0434 815 374 or by email: karljust@abzeco.com.au

Katherine Whittaker

Katherine is a biologist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and Botany and a Graduate Diploma in Environmental & Conservation Biology. Katherine is particularly interested in remnant vegetation management and has worked in number of high conservation significance grassland undertaking both restoration and assessment projects. She is currently undertaking in situ management of Diuris fragrantissima in Sunshine for DSE, Grassland management for Whittlesea and number of vegetation assessments and management plans for vegetation in northern and eastern Melbourne.

Contact Katherine by email: katherinewhittaker@abzeco.com.au

Justin Pegg

Justin is a biologist who has a Bachelor of Science (majors Environmental Science & Conservation and Australian Wildlife) from Melbourne University. He is also currently undertaking a Masters of Environment & Sustainability at Monash University. Justin is particularly interested developing his botanical skills while working on vegetation restoration, assessment and mapping projects throughout Victoria.

Jack Latti

Jack has an Advanced Diploma in Horticulture and has a broad knowledge, detailed understanding and experience in the propagation, planting and salvage of a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic flora species. Jack assists in the management of a range of Abzeco projects including the Gellions Run Xerochrysum palustre recovery project and restoration of the Woodleigh School Wildlife Reserve.

Andre Messina

Andre is a botanical taxonomist who is currently completing a PHD at Latrobe University. He is investigating taxonomic and ecological relationships within the Asteraceae family. Andre has extensive botanical experience throughout Victoria and much of eastern Australia having undertaken surveys throughout rainforest, grassland, alpine and heathland ecosystems. Andre has worked in restoration and revegetation projects throughout the Yarra Valley, and has had a strong involvement in recovery programs for a range of threatened flora.

Gareth Cook

Gareth is a very experienced bushland manager having worked in the restoration industry for over 10 years. During this time Gareth has worked for a range of private vegetation management firms and in the Hume City Council bushcrew. Gareth has been directly involved in identification and control of weeds and restoration of a wide range of vegetation types. Gareth has a range of licenses and permits include earthmoving, chainsaw and chemical use qualifications.  He has a keen interest in grassland restoration and regularly spends weekends revisiting sites he has worked on in the past.

Nick Evans

Nick is a botanist with a BSc in Biology and Chemistry, Honors in Phytochemistry and several years experience in field work. Nick has a firearms license , ethical hunting/marksman accreditation, first aid training and chemical use qualifications.  He is currently undertaking vegetation restoration, assessments and GIS mapping of vegetation in Greater Melbourne and Gippsland. Nick has a keen interest in the potential uses and chemical interactions of plants and the control of exotic flora and fauna.

Brad Jenner

Brad is a keen field naturalist with several years experience in bushland management, mostly concentrated in the Yarra Ranges area. Brad has undertaken flora and fauna surveys across Victoria with the Victorian Field Naturalists Club and regularly heads for the hills in his spare time.

Haley Davis-Harcourt

Haley has a Diploma in Conservation and Land Management. Haley has experience in Bushland Management through involvement with Friends of Blackburn Lake, voluntary work on the Helmeted Honey Eater recovery project and work in the Holmesglen Indigenous Nursery. While with Abzeco Haley has worked on a range of grassland and woodland restoration projects including Nassella spp. control for Whittlesea Council.