Kasun Bandara Ekanayake

Research Project Officer - Birds Australia

Graduated in:

2009

Course completed:

Bachelor of Environmental Science majoring in wildlife and conservation biology

Currently working for:

Birds Australia (Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union)

How long have you been working for this organisation?

2 years

Position title and short job description:

Research Project Officer working on the Important Bird Areas project and the Beach Nesting Birds project.

• For the Important Bird Areas project we liaised with other conservation agencies around the country in order to designate areas of high conservation significance for birds.
• In the Beach Nesting Project we engage different land managers and communities in conserving the threatened beach nesting Hooded Plover.

Working highlight so far:

The Beach Nesting Birds project being nominated as a finalist for the Victorian Coastal Awards.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

Experiencing every aspect of conservation and management of wildlife.  These include human dimensions, hands on field management, data analysis, mapping and critical thinking.

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

Volunteer, volunteer and volunteer more! Nothing beats the experience you gain when you are out in the field.