ecoFuturists

The Australian landscape is a cacophony of sights and sounds. Whether it be kookaburras greeting you in the morning with a loud chuckle, or the scent of flowering gum trees on the breeze, our country is a truly immersive and unique experience for all. But as Buffel grass continues to spread across the nation, we could be at risk of living in a silent monoculture that impacts our economy, livelihood and damages Indigenous culture and connection to Country. A hardy and fast-growing tussock, Buffel grass was first introduced to Australia in the 1960’s and 70’s as pasture for stock and as a way of controlling dust from overgrazing. Since then, this highly flammable grass has spread over much of the Australian landscape, smothering desert ecosystems and creating hazardous conditions for people, wildlife and native vegetation. Joining Andy in the studio for this timely episode of eco Futurists is James Johnston, Senior Advocate at the Invasive Species Council, and Taigen Ryan, Voice of Country Campaign Lead (Invasive Species Council). Together, they unpack what a weed is, where Buffel grass came from and will share their tips on what we can all do to help protect our incredible landscape into the future.Think you can identify a weed? Show your skills with the poll below!Got an episode idea or topic you want to know more about? Send us an email at [email protected]

Should nature itself have rights? What would this look like in South Australia? In this episode of eco Futurists, host Andy Lowe is joined by special guests Alex Wawryk and Veronica Soebarto – authors of the North Adelaide Golf Course Redevelopment Law and Policy Brief.  To kickstart the conversation, Alex and Veronica explore the history and future of the Rights of Nature – a legal and philosophical framework that treats ecosystems, species and natural entities as rights-bearing legal entities, rather than as property owned by humans.  They then delve into the roots of the recent controversy in the North Adelaide Parklands, where a $45 million redevelopment of the North Adelaide Golf Course and the construction of a new MotoGP track have sparked both protests and legal challenge.  Together, they offer their opinion on the overarching question: When does cutting down trees infringe the Rights of Nature?  Download the North Adelaide Golf Course redevelopment Policy Briefing here: https://adelaide.edu.au/research/environment-institute/policy-and-translation/Join the conversation! Leave us a comment or question and subscribe to our podcast to ensure you don’t miss a thing. Have an idea or want to get in touch? Contact us at [email protected]

Gardens come in many different shapes and sizes. From formal gardens that favor symmetry and straight lines, to edible herb gardens that provide fresh produce for the dining table, gardening is a vast and varied pastime for many around the world. Yet, despite their differences, many gardens grow amongst an undertone of cleanliness and control. Jon Davies and Steve Williams are two self-described ‘punk urban gardeners’ whose approach to our natural world challenges the confines of both traditional and modern gardening. Together, they run Wild City Studio, a platform for creating places, sharing ideas and building connections that strengthen the connection between people and the urban environment.In this episode, Jon and Steve join Professor Andy Lowe in the ecoFuturists studio for a virtual conversation from their home in North London. Together, they dig deep into what it means to be a punk urban gardener, unpack Jon and Steve’s new book “Wild City” and explore how true appreciation of our environment sometimes requires working with nature, rather than against it. Want to read the full book by Wild City Studio? Visit their website: https://wildcitystudio.comJoin the discussion! Like, comment and subscribe to our podcast and unlock your inner ‘ecoFuturist’. Have a question or would like more information? Connect with us at [email protected]

In March of 2025, dead marine creatures began to wash up on the shores of South Australia, sparking concern amongst communities, governments and scientists alike. The cause? A harmful algal bloom. In the months that followed, the bloom spread across much of South Australia’s coast, decimating shellfish reefs, impacting iconic populations like the Giant Australian Cuttlefish, and leaving lasting effects on community mental wellbeing. But despite the undeniable devastation that it wreaked on our marine environment, the bloom has largely disappeared from everyday discussion, leaving an important question unanswered: What happens next? In this episode of ecoFuturists, Professor Andy Lowe is joined by eminent marine scientists Zoe Doubleday and Dominic McAfee as they dive beneath the surface of the HAB to uncover what happened and how we can help our marine ecosystems recover. Citizen science has been an important piece in this environmental puzzle. Using programs like iNaturalist, communities can record potentially HAB-related incidents and contribute to the recovery of our shorelines. Visit iNaturalist.com.au to learn more: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sa-marine-mortality-events-2025-2026Get the latest updates on the Harmful Algal Bloom at: https://www.algalbloom.sa.gov.auJoin the discussion! Leave us a comment or question and subscribe to our podcast to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

H5N1 bird flu is now on mainland Australia. With a deadly track record around the globe, we know the dangers that this virus poses to our wildlife and precious ecosystems. But what can we do about it? In the first ecoFuturists episode of 2026, host Professor Andy Lowe chats with wildlife veterinarian Wayne Boardman and Chair of Green Adelaide and science communicator extraordinaire Chris Daniels to explore what bird flu is, what we can expect to see in the future, and how communities can help to protect our iconic wildlife during this panzootic. With H5 bird flu cases increasing in Australia, it is important to follow current advice to help communities and wildlife stay safe.Visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu for the latest advice and updates;Avoid contact with sick wildlife, Record the location, type and number of animals, and Report any potential signs of bird flu to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888ecoFuturists is produced by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University