Paul Drummond is the on-site Conservation Land Manager at Hiltaba Nature Reserve and has cultivated years of ecological knowledge and conservation expertise. Paul is responsible for the operational management of programs and projects at Hiltaba to ensure effective conservation and land management

How did you come to be at Nature Foundation?

I was first introduced to Nature Foundation around the time the organisation acquired Witchelina Nature Reserve. I was a volunteer with the Hunting and Conservation part of the SSAA (Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia) and was invited on one of the first trips to Witchelina for the purpose of feral animal control and assessment. I soon found myself helping to restore infrastructure with materials found on-site to make the stay somewhat more comfortable and functional. Soon after, I became Nature Foundation’s professional shooter and, with the help of Alex (Nankivell), developed the feral predator spotlighting program that continues today.

I was also on the flora and fauna baseline survey of Witchelina by EBS Ecology. I worked with them for ten  years as a Field Ecologist and jack-of-all-trades while continuing the feral predator spotlighting program. For the last 18 months, I have been working with Nature Glenelg Trust as an Aquatic Ecologist, monitoring small-body native fish throughout the Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu Peninsula (including Watchalunga Nature Reserve) and supporting their threatened fish and crustation recovery programs.

What are you looking forward to most as part of your role?

As Conservation Land Manager at Hiltaba, I look forward to being out on country, experiencing less common plants, animals and landscapes. I look forward to contributing to the good work already being done to improve the habitat and environment that benefits native flora and fauna across the reserve and supporting visitors with their work and needs.

What are some of your interests outside of work?

I've always been into nature and fishing, and they tend to go well with camping, which has taken me to some amazing places and given me some unique experiences over the years. I also enjoy motorsport and competed in dirt circuit racing for a few years while living in Arno Bay. I also enjoy watching AFL and cricket when the weather's not great for spending time outdoors.

Meet the rest of the Nature Foundation staff team here.