"There are a number of criteria for keystone resources and sandalwood [...] fits quite a few of them."

Our guest this episode is Dr Richard McLellan. Richard is an experienced ecologist, conservationist, and program manager. He held senior positions within WWF-Australia and WWF-International, focusing on native vegetation management, forest conservation, sustainable resource use, and ecological footprint reduction. He is the chair of the Forest Conservation Fund and the Gunduwa Regional Conservation Association, an ambassador for the Western Australian Parks Foundation, and a long-time member of the World Commission on Protected Areas.

In his spare time, Richard recently completed his PhD with Charles Sturt University and Bush Heritage Australia on the ecological importance of Australian sandalwood in Australia's rangelands.

The Ecological Society of Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Richard works on the lands of the Yamaji, Nanda, Badimia, Martu, and Wajarri-Yamaji peoples.

Help the ESA support ecology in Australia by donating (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ecolsoc.org.au/get-involved/donate/donation-form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or by becoming a member (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ecolsoc.org.au/get-involved/become-a-member⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠).

The music in this podcast is ‘Glow’ by Scott Buckley - www.scottbuckley.com.au.

Episode image credit: Richard McLellan.