The Manager, Seedbank & Conservation Collections at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, Nathan's experience includes seed biology research, threatened species translocation, and restoration.
With a strong educational background, Nathan holds a B.Sc. in Biodiversity and Conservation from Macquarie University, a B.Sc. Honours Class I from the University of Sydney, and a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney.
Nathan is involved in the conservation and translocation of the rare and endangered Persoonia species (known as Geebungs in eastern Australia). Additionally, he contributes to the conservation of threatened ecological communities in northwest NSW, focusing on relict rainforest woodland conservation.
Nathan manages projects, writes grant proposals, produces scientific reports and articles for publication, conducts laboratory work including germination trials, and analyses data. Fieldwork is also an integral part of his role, involving seed collection, plant monitoring, and translocation planting.
He is particularly interested in enhancing seedbanking practices to support conservation outcomes. He is driven to improve seedbanking procedures to maintain high-quality, genetically and geographically representative seed collections. He also explores factors that promote seed germination and establishment success, and actively seeks out innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance seed research projects. His dedication and expertise have been recognised with the ACARP Research Excellence Award, highlighting his valuable contributions to the field.
While Nathan's favourite plant is constantly changing, his current choice is Cadellia pentastylis, also known as Ooline. This slow-growing medium-sized tree is a relic of an extensive rainforest vegetation that covered much of Australia in the past.
Childhood experiences of visiting national parks and reserves, assisting his father with cicada collection and research, and a love for gardening influenced Nathan’s career path. It was during his university studies, however, particularly through a literature review on seedbanking, that he developed a specific passion for seeds and their conservation.
Nathan aspires for the Garden to be a leader in plant conservation research, fostering collaborations within the organisation and with national and international partners for the benefit of plant species and their ecosystems.
