In a significant move to protect Tasmania's unique environment, the University of Tasmania has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Quoin, a prominent conservation property in the Tasmanian Midlands.
The MOU outlines a series of initiatives aimed at developing innovative conservation techniques, employing advanced technology in environmental monitoring, and restoring critical habitats.
University of Tasmania Vice Chancellor Professor Rufus Black said the partnership is poised to enhance the University's role in global conservation efforts.
"Through this partnership, we are not only advancing our understanding of Tasmania's unique biodiversity but also setting a global benchmark for how academic research can directly contribute to the preservation and regeneration of our natural environment," Professor Black said.
"This collaboration represents a crucial step in our commitment to address the world's most pressing environmental challenges."
The Quoin, a 4,985-hectare property managed by the Wedgetail Foundation, is situated in one of Australia's 20 Priority Places for biodiversity conservation.
Formerly used for agricultural grazing, the property now serves as a living laboratory dedicated to developing and deploying technologies, products and practices to accelerate regeneration at scale.
The land is home to old-growth forests, critically endangered grassland communities, a significant rocky outcrop and iconic species such as the wedge-tailed eagle, Tasmanian devil, and spotted tail quoll.
Lisa Miller, CEO of Wedgetail, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration.
"We are thrilled to partner with the University of Tasmania to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and on-the-ground conservation and to enrich our understanding of Tasmania's unique flora and fauna," she said.
As part of the MOU, the University and The Quoin will collaborate on various research projects to combat biodiversity loss, improve conservation methods, and to establish The Quoin as a global example of effective nature conservation.
The partnership will explore areas such as wedge-tailed eagle conservation, invasive species management, plant biology related to fire, soil health, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems.
Two research projects are already underway under the MOU. One, led by Professor Arko Lucieer, Dr Juan Carlos Montes Herrera, and Alice Robbins from the University, focuses on using AI-powered drones for advanced biodiversity monitoring.
The other, led by Professor Menna Jones, aims to address the decline of eastern quolls in Tasmania's Midlands and East Coast through experimental translocations. This initiative is critical, as eastern quoll populations have declined by 60 per cent since the 1990s.
The Quoin is among 14 sites in the Midlands and East Coast equipped with long-term camera traps to monitor eastern quoll populations. It has also been selected as a key location for translocation efforts as part of broader conservation strategies.
"The work we will undertake with The Quoin exemplifies the University of Tasmania's dedication to sustainable practices that benefit both the local community and the global ecosystem," Professor Black said.
"By combining our expertise with The Quoin's innovative approach to conservation, we are paving the way for transformative research that will have lasting impacts."
Miller highlighted the importance of the collaboration in leading regional conservation efforts.
"Our goal is to secure a thriving future for all of us — nature and community — by validating sustainable financial models and rethreading academic, agricultural, Indigenous and technological knowledge systems," she said.
