Allies for Nature Breakfast, Brisbane 2026

Bush Heritage Australia invites you to join us for a thought-provoking networking breakfast. Featuring inspiring leaders sharing their insights on the importance of nature in every facet of our lives, we'll explore how to bring nature to the centre of decision and policy-making.

Reimagining our world, with nature at its centre 

Our society, economy, food systems, business and industry, and health and wellbeing are all intrinsically connected to nature. So why wouldn’t we protect this most important, fundamental natural boon for future generations. 

Caring for our natural environment doesn’t have to come at the cost of development, innovation or success. Imagine a world that considers nature protection in policy making, where nature is considered as important as growth and we value the intrinsic right of species to thrive independently of humans. 

This vision can become a reality with collective intelligence, cross-sector collaboration and creating a united force for nature.  

Join our expert panellists and an audience of sector professionals in the Brisbane region to discuss these ideas and foster connections.

Date
Friday 30 October

Time
7.30am for a 7.45am start, to 10.15am. Plus 30 mins optional networking after formalities

Location
The Westin

111 Mary Street, Brisbane

PANELLISTS

Ben Klaassen

Deputy Director-General, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships

Ben leads the stewardship and management of Queensland’s national parks and forests providing nature-based and eco-tourism opportunities, building partnerships with First Nations People, community, neighbours and users to experience and protect our natural environment. He is also responsible for protecting threatened species, managing interaction between people and protected species, overseeing World Heritage management of selected sites, and the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program. Ben also delivers the Great Barrier Reef Joint Field Management Program, in partnership with the Australian Government.

Ben’s extensive experience in Queensland’s public service has included senior positions within the Department of Local Government and Planning and the Department of Innovation and Information Economy, Sport and Recreation Queensland, the Department of National Parks, Sport and Recreation as well as roles in Queensland Health and the Department of Public Works.

Dr Michelle Ward

Conservation Scientist and Lecturer, Griffiths University

Michelle is a lecturer at Griffith University. Her research centres on combining remote sensing technology with political science, economic instruments, and systematic conservation planning to achieve the best solutions for the environment. In doing so, she have explored the effectiveness of environmental legislation in mitigating threats, developed advanced datasets to explore threat drivers and impacts, established novel, problem-based models for cost-effectively prioritizing conservation actions, quantified the cumulative impact of development on threatened species, investigated complex sustainability problems through scenario analysis, evaluated bushfire impact and recovery, measured ecosystem services under different policy pathways, and assessed global-scale structural connectivity of landscapes.

Michelle is currently leading research to build integrity into the nature positive promise. This research is cross-disciplinary, linking methods from remote sensing, ecological modelling, economics, monitoring, and political science. 

Tamika Sadler

Climate & Country Program Director, Common Threads

Tamika is a proud Gubbi Gubbi, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander woman. She is the Climate & Country Program Director at Common Threads and has an extensive background as a climate and First Nations justice campaigner and community organiser, amplifying First Nations voices in climate advocacy. Tamika is the Pacific youth representative for the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change, and is passionate about embedding First Nations leadership in national and global climate action.

Ian McConnel

Executive Manager, Agriculture Partnerships & Natural Capital, Bush Heritage Australia

A 5th generation beef producer, Ian's career path has focused on sustainable development in agriculture. Ian began his career as an Extension Officer in remote western Queensland. He pioneered innovations in extension delivery and led the trialling and development of remote animal management systems and sustainable rangeland management.

He then spent a decade as WWF’s Global Lead for Livestock, supporting sustainable development in the beef industry across 22 countries. Later he joined Tyson foods as their International Director of Sustainability. He led the company’s efforts to ‘Feed the Future’ within their global supply chains and production operations through efforts to combat climate change, improve animal welfare, ensure positive land use and protect people.  

MC/PANEL MODERATOR

Jillian Whiting

Jillian is a familiar face on Queensland television – with over 25 years’ experience as a journalist, newsreader and TV presenter with the Seven and Nine networks, She’s currently a presenter on Channel Seven’s much-loved lifestyle program, Weekender.

A career in the media spotlight has also led to a successful communication business, Media Potential, coaching corporate leaders, politicians, athletes and influencers to be engaging and unforgettable communicators... on and off camera.

Jillian Whiting is also highly respected as a host and moderator across a broad range of events from economic forums to opening night galas.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

• Rachel Lowry, CEO, Bush Heritage Australia

• Katharine Tapley, Global Head of Sustainable Finance, ANZ

TICKETS AND DONATIONS

Your ticket fee goes towards the conservation work of Bush Heritage Australia. As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely greatly on donations from supporters. Please consider making a donation to Bush Heritage Australia. 

For event enquiries please email events@bushheritage.org.au

TICKET SALES CLOSE 20 October, UNLESS SOLD OUT PRIOR

We acknowledge the Jagera people and the Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin, where this event will take place. We recognise and respect the enduring relationships they have with their lands and waters, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.