Meet the Team: Cameron O'Mara - Heathcote Local to Landscape Facilitator

Don't miss spending a few moments with our passionate and bursting with ecological knowledge team member - Cameron O'Mara

Simply put, Cam knows nature. Whether wandering with Cam in a Box-Ironbark Forest or paddock near Mount Camel, you appreciate the intricacies of our natural world and view it with new eyes.

As the Heathcote Local to Landscape Facilitator, Cam's nous for problem solving and his determination helped navigate and drive a complex, three year approval process for our Spring Plains Watershed Pilot Project. He then swiftly and expertly last year managed the delivery of the on-ground ecological interventions of this cutting-edge pilot that is restoring hydrology to a woodlands near Heathcote, on Taungurung Country. Alongside this pilot - he has worked with local landholders to empower them to drive forward other projects in the Heathcote Local to Landscape initiative.  

He now monitors the outcomes of the pilot (including running Citizen Science activities!) and continues to support landholders across the Central Victorian region to restore and protect their properties. Plus - he is one of the key talents behind much of our photography! What would we do without Cam!

1. What inspires you to work with Biolinks Alliance?

I get to do some of the most interesting, bizarre and amazing things while working at Biolinks Alliance. I often have to pinch myself when I'm out in the forest surveying for reptiles or macropods and hearing the birds chirp.

2. What does your job entail?

A lot of time in the forest monitoring but also engaging locals to elevate conservation efforts.

3. Is there an outcome for our environment you feel most proud of in your time with Biolinks Alliance?

Managing the Spring Plains Watershed Repair Pilot Project has been an endless joy and brings me satisfaction knowing that we are helping to regenerate the forest.

4. Why is restoring our ecosystems so important in Central Victoria and what is the urgency around this?

We are rapidly losing species and in particular we are losing biodiverse areas. The biodiverse areas that we do have are now fragmented like islands and unable to repair. Luckily though, anyone can do their part to reverse this in many ways.

5. If you were an animal, insect, or plant – what would you be and why?

Homo sapien, we have coffee.

6. On your days off - what do you like to do?

I don't really have days off - I also work at an olive oil farm in Avenel and my partner has a vegetable farm in Seymour on the Goulburn River which keeps me plenty busy. I also love to spend time doing wildlife photography.