Ross Oke

Before joining GWLAP, Ross planned and managed the SA Urban Forests Biodiversity Program and the Million Trees Program across greater Adelaide. These initiatives included regional biodiversity planning, policy, on-ground work and capacity building with significant investment and involvement from many stakeholders.

Ross has previously held the voluntary position of Vice President with Trees for Life and also worked in education and training, amenity horticulture and landscaping.

Ben Simon

Ben has been involved in local landcare, developing and implementing on-ground works projects for twenty years. He has achieved significant outcomes working closely with landcare groups and individual landholders. Ben has extensive botanical and vegetation management knowledge in a wide range of vegetation types.

In his spare time, Ben coordinates the Goolwa Coastcare group who work to restore coastal areas and educate the community about coast and marine issues.

Leah Hunter

Leah has many years of experience coordinating and delivering revegetation and restoration projects in partnership with the community from the Riverland through to the Coorong and Lower Lakes. Leah has a background in various Natural Resource Management areas including irrigation efficiency, conservation planning, community liaison and revegetation planning and implementation.

Alyssa Lovelock

After completing a degree in Biodiversity and Conservation, Alyssa took part in the Green Army Program and then joined the GWLAP Field Crew where she assisted with revegetation work and weed control. In 2018 she began work with the Flows for the Future Program which aims at restoring natural flow patterns throughout the Eastern Mount Lofty catchments.

Alyssa believes in the importance of conserving our unique flora and fauna by protecting and improving our landscape that we live in and all share together.

Keren Stagg

Keren has worked in Financial and Administration management for many years across several industries which include manufacturing, export, wine, and health.  She is enjoying her move from the corporate sector to GWLAP and is proud of the social and environmental outcomes delivered by the GWLAP team.  She has a love of nature, supports sustainable land management practices, and believes that we can learn much from the original custodians of the land.  In her spare time, Keren volunteers for the Angas River Catchment Group.

Aaron Cheesman

Aaron’s skills include managing and undertaking a range of on-ground restoration projects, leading on-ground works teams, and revegetation planning.  Aaron has a background in leading youth training programs including Green Corps and Green Army and conducting koala projects and revegetation on Kangaroo Island. His hands-on skills and planning abilities enable him to skillfully coordinate our on-ground works crew to deliver environmental projects to a high standard in a safe and efficient way.

Sarah Ansell

After completing a degree in Environmental Science and Management, Sarah is enjoying the move from an aged care background into the Community Engagement Officer Role. Volunteering as a Ranger with Dept of Parks and Wildlife, and as social media officer with Birds SA, Sarah enjoys working with different volunteer groups, and facilitating events that encourage people to engage with, and learn about our natural environment.