Our Board
Common Nature is led by an expert, multi-disciplinary 'Working Board.' We bring together leaders in science, governance, and systemic change to reconnect Australia with the natural world.
Join us!
We are currently seeking two to three additional, high-calibre directors to join our Founding Board for an initial voluntary, two-year term. We are specifically looking for a Treasurer, and expertise in Philanthropy & Fundraising, and First Nations partnerships.
LEARN MORE
Founding Board members
Beth Rickwood, Chair
Beth brings 20+ years experience working on solutions in the nature conservation sector, including senior public sector roles managing major grants programs, designing and delivering high profile conservation programs and preparing policy advice. Beth is the Chair of Wildcare Tasmania’s Grants Assessment Committee. She is a Fellow of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership and holds degrees in Environmental Law, Environmental Science (with Hons in conservation biology) and Arts (environmental policy & political science). Beth has a life-long passion for nature, and a deep interest in understanding the relationship between people and nature, and how this can be strengthened for the benefit of both.
Waminda Parker, Treasurer
Waminda is a Co-Founder and Director of NatureFix, a social enterprise dedicated to improving human health through connection with nature. Waminda brings 20+ years experience in strategic planning, operations and project management within the academic research, non-profit and business sectors. Waminda has a background in nature conservation science, including an honours degree in conservation genetics. She is also a member of the Biophilic Design Advisory Panel at the Living Future Institute of Australia.
Dr Michelle Maloney, Director
Michelle is an Earth lawyer and advocate for Earth-centred, bioregional and nature-based governance. For more than 30 years, Michelle’s research, writing and collaborative work has demonstrated how we can build governance systems, societies and economies that support and regenerate, rather than destroy, our living world. She is the Co-Founder and Director of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), an organisation that promotes the understanding and practical implementation of Earth centred governance. Michelle is also Co-Founder and Director of Future Dreaming Australia, a not-for-profit organisation created in partnership with Indigenous Elders, which works to build cross-cultural ecological knowledge. She is an Adjunct Fellow at the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, and Adjunct Fellow at the Institute for Ethics, Governance and Law, Griffith University. Michelle received a National Peace Women’s Award in 2024, for her commitment to environmental and social justice.
Dr Emily Flies
Emily is a Senior Lecturer in Environment & Sustainable Communities at the University of Tasmania. She is a Project Team Lead for The Nature Connection Project and Founder & Director of the Inspiring Women in STEMM Fellowship program. Emily is also an award-winning science communicator; she co-founded two successful Science in the Pub non-profit organisations (in Adelaide and Hobart). Emily’s current research focuses on the relationship between nature and health, and how nature can help create healthy and sustainable communities. She has a wide-ranging academic background in the fields of ecology, psychology, anthropology, epidemiology and public health.
Simon Coverdale
Simon is a Project Manager at Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises. In this role he collaborates closely with First Nations people, valuing and integrating their profound knowledge and practices related to connecting with Country. Simon brings over two decades of experience in strategy, business planning, management and stakeholder engagement across the public and private sectors, and an academic background in environmental science and psychology. Simon’s career has been spent at the intersection between people and nature and he is passionate about enhancing this relationship and the mutual benefits it provides.
Christopher McCormack
Christopher is Co-founder and Managing Director of Australia’s first nature connection charity, Remember the Wild. He is also currently a Project Manager with the Trust for Nature, a Board Member with the National Malleefowl Recovery Group and a PhD Candidate in Conservation Psychology at the University of Melbourne (investigating the links between narrative and connection with nature). He has an academic background in ecology and marine biology. Christopher is a passionate communicator who enjoys telling stories about the natural world through a variety of mediums, including; film, podcasts, and more.