Cara is currently undertaking a PhD focussed on the conservation of mature trees in urban landscapes. Cara is based in Brisbane, studying externally full time, with occasional freelance work as a wildlife ecologist. Her research is looking at the rate of trees being lost to residential development; the impact of mature tree removal in urban areas on birds and microbats; and the risks associated with mature trees in urban areas.

Cara completed her Bachelor of Science (Wildlife Biology) at Griffith University in 2018. This was followed by her Honours year, completed in 2019 with First Class grading and the Jane Hughes Award for Excellence in Science Honours. Cara’s Honours research looked into the fauna using carved hollows across the Gold Coast, and gave a comparison of the thermal range experienced inside carved hollows and plywood nest boxes. She hopes to publish two papers on this research in the coming months.

Prior to studying at Griffith University, Cara completed a Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing, focussed on wildlife nursing and rehabilitation, whilst working and volunteering with RSPCA Qld. Cara hand raised and rehabilitated possums and flying foxes for 7 years, as well as being a volunteer rescuer of a wide range of injured wildlife from 2012.

Key Research Interests: Mature trees, urban ecology, hollow using fauna, carved hollows, ecological statistics