I would like to personally congratulate Dr Jane Elith on winning a Prime Minister’s Prize for Science today.
For her contributions to environmental management worldwide Dr Jane Elith receives the 2015 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.
The species distribution models developed by Dr Elith have been used by all Australian governments, land and catchment managers and conservationists.
Through the work of Dr Elith and her colleagues, we now have a better understanding of how climate change could impact on the giant burrowing frog, a species listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Dr Elith is an example of the calibre of scientists involved in the National Environmental Science Programme.
The $145 million National Environmental Science Programme focuses on collaborative, practical and applied research that informs on-ground action.
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub will be utilising Dr Elith’s expertise in species distribution models to identify critical habitats and refuges for species against environmental change.
(ENDS)