March 19, 2025
Droughts are a regular and challenging part of Australia’s climate—but what makes a drought ‘extreme,’ and how might they change in future?
In this Climate Systems Hub webinar, researchers Vanessa Round and Jennifer Pierson shared how climate science is guiding conservation efforts with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. They discussed identifying species at risk, prioritising adaptation options, and managing properties facing more frequent and severe droughts—insights explored in the Climate information for wildlife conservation management case study with AWC.
About our speakers
Vanessa Round, CSIRO
Vanessa Round is a climate scientist in CSIRO’s Climate Intelligence Program. Her work centres on understanding how the climate may evolve in the future, drawing on climate modelling and other lines of evidence. She focuses on connecting climate projection information with decision-makers and often works in interdisciplinary teams to understand climate change impacts and vulnerability in different systems. As part of the NESP Climate Systems Hub project on Extreme climate: dry, wet, hot-and-dry, she has been focusing on drought impacts and projected future changes in drought.
Dr Jenny Pierson, Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Dr Jenny Pierson is a Senior Ecologist on Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s National Science Team. Dr Pierson leads the development and implementation of AWC’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy as well as their Conservation Genetics program. She has a strong interest in the challenges faced by small populations with a background in conservation genetics and population ecology. Her goal is to bridge the gap between research and management through applying scientific principles to the conservation and management of threatened species
Date: Wednesday, 16 April 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM AEST
Online.
