Samuel Padgett is based at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. He contributes to conservation efforts through his involvement in significant projects like the Cumberland Plains Conservation Plan and the Saving Our Species program.
Sam has a solid foundation of knowledge thanks to his Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Environmental Systems from The University of Sydney.
His expertise spans areas including navigation, locating and identifying plants in the field, as well as processing, testing, and storing seeds. He has also worked on seed collection, germination and translocation of Zieria covenyi. Sam is adept at handling large datasets and employs GIS mapping for effective analysis. His typical day involves fieldwork in remote bushland reserves, meticulously searching for native plant species, or examining seeds under the microscope in the lab.
Passionate about post-fire regeneration of sandstone vegetative communities, Sam is deeply interested in understanding the dynamics of humans living with fire. His favourite plant, Eucalyptus punctata, embodies resilience and cooperation, regenerating itself post-fire and serving as an important food source for koalas and flying foxes.
Inspired by the contrasting beauty and devastation of the 2013 Winmalee bushfires, Sam is driven by a desire to preserve ecosystems against the impacts of high-intensity fires and excessive land clearing. He believes in taking a practical, rigorous approach to conservation, advancing knowledge of distribution and storage characteristics to protect threatened native plant species effectively. Sam's dedication to his work stems from his commitment to safeguarding the environment and fostering harmony between people and fire ecosystems.
