Vanessa Westcott
Research Fellow, NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Curtin University
E: v.westcott@curtin.edu.au
Bio
Dr Vanessa Westcott has over 20 years of experience in ecology, private land management and conservation planning.
Vanessa has worked across Australia in the not-for profit, government, research and private sectors. She has experience in a variety of ecosystems including grasslands, shrublands, deserts and floodplains.
Vanessa is passionate about her work with Traditional Owners and Indigenous Rangers. She feels incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work alongside Martu supporting their management of the Birriliburu Indigenous Protected Area in central Western Australia. Together they developed a two-way ngapartji ngapartji plan which identified key projects of importance to Martu such as fire management, weed control and monitoring important species.
In 2023, Vanessa supported eight senior Martu women to publish a book describing important bush tucker species on their Country. The preparation of the book had been a ten–year process guided by Martu – documenting names, uses, stories, photos and collecting samples of over 80 species.
Vanessa has also worked with Traditional Owners across Australia on policy and the practice of ‘right-way science’, supporting their inclusion in conservation planning and decision making at the on-ground through to the National level.
Vanessa is experienced in conservation planning and has a deep understanding of the key elements of adaptive management. She has developed strategies and indicators to ensure conservation efforts are as impactful as possible.
She is an experienced botanist and has led long-term monitoring programs across a variety of land tenures for a variety of threatened species and pest fauna species including threatened orchids, Malleefowl, feral cats, feral pigs.
With a PhD in fire ecology, Vanessa has a strong interest in the role of fire in shaping Australian landscapes.
Research outputs linked to policy change and decision-making
• Developed national ‘right-way science’ policy in the not-for-profit and government sectors
• Developed indicators and strategy frameworks as part of adaptive management at the reserve, landscape and the national level
• Supported the establishment of the ‘right-way science’ and Indigenous-led Science awards at the annual Ecological Society of Australia conference
• Advised land managers on the protection of globally significant Kwongan heathlands in Western Australia
• Supported the establishment of the first ever Indigenous Sub-Committee for the National Bilby Recovery Team and the development of the Bilby Recovery Plan
• Assisted Martu with the publication of the Birriliburu Bush Tucker Book.
Employment
• 2024-present: Research Fellow, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University
• 2023-2024: Assistant Director/Policy Advisor – First Nations Engagement, Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
• 2019–2023: Ecologist NSW, Bush Heritage Australia (currently on leave without pay)
• 2018: Senior Ecologist West, Bush Heritage Australia
• 2013–2018: Regional Ecologist Mid-west WA, Bush Heritage Australia
• 2010–2013: Consultant Botanist, Biosis
• 2010: Research Assistant, University of Sheffield
• 2009-2010: Technical Officer, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens
• 2007-2008: Research Assistant, Curtin University of Technology, Department of Environmental Biology
• 2006: Laboratory Demonstrator, University of Melbourne, School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies
• 2005: Research Assistant, University of Canterbury, Department of Biological Sciences
• 2004: Administrative Assistant, Office of the Australian Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage
Roles on government or regional organisation committees/Scientific Representation
• Indigenous Working Group – Ecological Society of Australia
• Parks, Trees and Waterways Committee – Orange City Council, NSW
My Projects
Current project
Completed project
NESP RLH, 2021-2027NESP, 2015-2021NERP, 2012-2015TRaCK, 2005-present
