Project Team
The project team comprises nine specialists from DPI and DSE. Our areas of expertise range from freshwater ecology and weed management to soil biology and dairy extension.
Click on our group photo to find out more about the Productive Grazing, Healthy Rivers team.
The Project Team
Dr. Sharon Aarons – DPI, Ellinbank.
Ph: 5624 2222
Sharon.Aarons@dpi.vic.gov.au
Sharon is the Project Leader for Productive Grazing, Healthy Rivers. Sharon is a soil scientist and has investigated impacts of farm management practices on soil biology, soil fertility and nutrient cycling within dairy production systems. Sharon is the principal investigator for Module 5: Riparian condition and land-use practices: a survey of riparian health on dairy farms and Module 6: Riparian zone management: reducing water quality impacts from dairy cows.
Dr. Michelle Jones-Lennon – DPI, Ellinbank.
Ph: 5624 2222
Michelle.JonesLennon@dpi.vic.gov.au
Michelle is the Project Officer for Productive Grazing, Healthy Rivers. Michelle is a zoologist who specialises in conservation biology. She has an in depth knowledge of mammalian ecology and experience with threatened species programs. Michelle is the Principal Investigator for Module 1: Quantifying on-farm riparian biodiversity.
Dr. Nigel Ainsworth – DPI Frankston
Ph: 9785 0184
Nigel.Ainsworth@dpi.vic.gov.au
Nigel is a Senior Research Scientist who specialises on the impact of weeds and their management in riparian zones. Nigel is an in-kind participant in the CRC for Australian Weed Management and the task leader for the management of weed-infested habitats within Program 3, Landscape Management. Nigel is the Principal Investigator for Module 4: Expert weed system: a support tool for on-farm management.
John Bowman – DPI Leongatha
Ph: 5662 9909
John.Bowman@dpi.vic.gov.au
John is a Grazing Industry Officer for South Gippsland. He delivers extension programs to dairy farmers under the Target 10 program and to beef & lamb producers under the Edge Network. His areas of expertise include pasture management, soils and fertiliser use. John has also worked with LandCare, and dealt with issues such as pest plant and animals, land protection and soil conservation.
Alan Crouch – DSE East Melbourne
Ph: 9637 8661
Alan.Crouch@dse.vic.gov.au
Alan is a Biodiversity Policy Analyst. His duties focus on statewide strategy and policy that endeavour to achieve biodiversity conservation and ecologically sustainable outcomes across the rural landscape and in agriculture. He also has extensive experience in a variety of regional flora and fauna programs and projects especially in Gippsland and Westernport areas.
Graeme Ward – DPI Warrnambool
Ph: 5561 9925
Graeme.Ward@dpi.vic.gov.au
Graeme is a Dairy Research Officer. His research includes the soil, water and nutrient issues that affect the dairy industry in the Warrnambool region. Prior to this, Graeme was a Pastures Extension Officer for the grazing industries of South West Victoria.
Phil Papas – DSE Heidelberg
Ph: 9450 8665
Phil.Papas@dse.vic.gov.au
Phil is an aquatic ecologist who manages the aquatic invertebrate team at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. He has expertise in invertebrate taxonomy, freshwater biodiversity assessment, river health, and the development and management of aquatic-based projects. He has also instructed on courses.
Dr. Fiona Ede – DPI Frankston
Ph: 9785 0111
Fiona.Ede@dpi.vic.gov.au
Rebecca Lester – DPI Ellinbank / Monash University
Rebecca.Lester@dpi.vic.gov.au
Rebecca is a PhD Student with Monash University Gippsland and DPI Ellinbank. Rebecca’s previous work has included aquatic invertebrate field sampling techniques, habitat assessment and the use of invertebrates as bio-indicators. Rebecca is the Principal Investigator for Module 2: Wood to Water: habitat creation within restored and replanted riparian land.
Leah Fensham - DPI Ellinbank
Ph: 5664 2222
Leah.Fensham@dpi.vic.gov.au
Leah is the Technical Officer for Productive Grazing, Healthy Rivers. Leah is an environmental scientist, who has experience in conducting habitat assessments, mammal surveys and frog surveys. Leah is the fieldwork coordinator for Module 1: Quantifying on-farm riparian biodiversity. Leah is the principal investigator for Module 1: Quantifying on-farm biodiversity.
© The State of Victoria, 1996 - 2009.
This document was last reviewed on 08/09/2008