Benefitting Sloane’s Froglet and its wetlands using an intentional ecology approach

Impact summary

My socio-ecological research and community engagement into the endangered Sloane’s Froglet and the wetlands that it inhabits has resulted in this little-known species being listed as Endangered under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in 2019; evidence-informed detection guidelines being adopted and regulated; community engagement and action for its protection and that of other amphibian species including revegetation and active management of wetlands; media interest; adoption of my habitat parameters by local and state government to build constructed wetlands; and, protection of the species and wetlands from development through my expert witness actions in the NSW Land and Environment Court.
The conceptual model I developed in order to undertake this transdisciplinary research and practice has received attention and discussion from leading international scholars in systems theory and conservation biology and is currently leading to changes in how researchers and practitioners respond to complex socio-ecological problems.

Research and engagement activities leading to impact

I started working on the Sloane’s Froglet case during my PhD studies from 2010 to 2015. At that time Sloane’s Froglet was unknown, with no research since the late 1950s, very, very few records of its existence and little interest in the species from government, herpetologists and the community. I undertook foundational research into its distribution, detection and habitat requirements as well as social research into how the new knowledge I developed could be used or mobilised. I involved community and government right from the start of my research - predominantly Landcare groups and also the NSW state government which came on board as an advisor to my PhD. Despite initial difficulties in gaining traction, especially when I found the species in wetlands in imminent danger of development for large housing estates (which had multi-million dollar implications), I persevered, holding multiple activities with the full range of stakeholders, and I continue to do so.
The ‘movement’ for Sloane’s Froglet has now gained its own momentum with multiple actors leading multiple activities which for me is a true measure of impact, in that now I don’t have to drive the changes myself as I have mobilised an actual change in society at large. In addition, my expertise is recognised beyond the one species and I now often provide advice to community on general wetland and amphibian management.
In this impact case study I focus on the activities and outcomes between 2019 and 2022. During that period, I've relocated to CSU’s Port Macquarie campus and my frog and wetland expertise as well as my community engagement expertise is being called upon by multiple new groups including Landcare, and state and local governments, which is resulting in new on-ground projects to protect and enhance amphibian habitat.
The types of activities I have undertaken include collaborations with and presentations to multiple community groups about Sloane’s Froglets and habitat management for amphibians; school visits and the development of an integrated school program of activities (published in 2021); collaboratively publish creative activities e.g. a song which is widely learnt and played by school kids and on the radio; many media outputs – print, online, radio and social; formal presentations and informal advice to local and state governments; discussions with federal government; expert witness in court proceedings; collaborate with local government regarding best practice and planning guidelines; presentations at conferences; advice to the CSU campus committee and ongoing member; wetland planting days; principle investigator in further amphibian research; and, publication of easily understood research findings which continue to be provided to developers.
In addition, Interim Habitat guidelines authored by me (with copyright vested in NSW Environment department) continue to be used to inform other publications such as the stormwater design guidelines prepared by consultant SPIRE.
Importantly and more exciting from an international perspective, I have undertaken the work for Sloane’s Froglet within a conceptual model of transdisciplinary practice (here I use transdisciplinary to mean interdisciplinary work that extends beyond research and into the areas of practice and policy) that I developed and have now published. This approach incorporates reflexivity, interdisciplinary approaches, advocacy and action, and adoption of the value of care. The approach has been discussed by leading international academics in systems theory, research impact and conservation biology, and is starting to be used. My expertise has been recognised in the form of the publication of an invited book chapter. Activities associated with this have included invitations to organise symposiums and speak at events and to contribute to academic blogs.

Research outputs associated with the impact

The research outputs associated with the impact start with my PhD thesis. My research has always been integrated interdisciplinary research incorporating ecological and environmental sociology approaches to address the complexity of the problem.
In 2018, the work led to me being Principal Investigator for an ecological assessment for Sloane’s Froglet in the MIA resulting in a commissioned report; and, the invitation to organise and present at the symposium co-hosted by ANU When Science Changes Society with guest speaker, Prof Mark Reed.
In the impact review period the research outputs include publication of a foundational peer-reviewed paper on the intentional ecology approach; publication of an invited academic blog on the Integration and Implementation Insights i2 international site ; publication of an invited book chapter; and the publication of a creative work. Academic outputs have also included a conference presentation to International Association for Society and Natural Resources and speaker at the Roundtable: New Approaches to Environmental Histories of Water Ecologies.
In addition to the academic publications, I am lead author and have now published a cohesive package of teaching resources which are used by Schools and community groups to enhance their knowledge of Sloane's froglets, amphibian communities and wetland management.

Researcher involvement

I lead the research and am first author on the publications and presenter at the conferences/roundtables.
I lead, with the collaboration and guidance of my colleague, Professor Catherine Allan, the sharing of the intentional ecology approach with the international community. I respond to comments and questions about this approach.
I lead collaboration with Landcare groups and have strong relationships with Landcare committees and members across New South Wales and Victoria. I am the lead presenter at wetland rehabilitation days and community events. I provide advice into the best methods for wetland rehabilitation and vegetation to plant. I provide advice for interpretational signage. Landcare groups then use my motivation and knowledge and successfully apply for their own grants for on-ground works for the management of wetlands.
I have a strong relationship with Schools across regional areas and lead the development of creative and teaching resource works, as well as presenting at the request of teachers and community members. I collaborate with students to sing, paint and explore the relationship between science and art. School children tell me they want to be frog doctor when they grow up.
I am sought out by other researchers and practitioners interested in amphibian conservation and act as a mentor for them.
I have a strong collaborative relationship with Federation Shire Council. I was the lead expert for the court case in the Land and Environment Court and described as the ‘star’ bringing the successful outcome. The Shire have subsequently invited me to develop research with them. My relationship with AlburyCity is less active during the impact case review period as NSW government, in particular, my former PhD advisor Dr David Hunter has stepped into that role. However, the work they do is founded on my research, in particular my detailed research into the habitat features of wetlands that Sloane’s Froglets occur in.
I am cited multiple times in the determination for listing of Sloane’s froglet as endangered under the EPBC Act. The nomination was prepared independently of me, using my work and knowledge. The species was previously unlisted on the federal legislation. I am the greatest contributor to the listing of the species, as without my research it could not have been listed.
My research is used by others developing publications that have direct outcomes for the benefit of Sloane’s Froglet, e.g. the guidelines for stormwater development which are used to develop new constructed wetlands in development areas are founded on my research. This is sometimes publicly unacknowledged, as the information is drawn from my Interim Habitat Guidelines, which I am author of, but copyright sits with the NSW Department of the Environment after my collaboration with them. My interim guidelines continue to be used by State government, developers and local government.
My research is cited in and has been used as the foundation for how to detect Sloane’s Froglets in NSW Government NSW Survey Guide for Threatened Frogs.

I have strong relationships with international academics who acknowledge the importance of my conceptual framework of intentional ecology and support discussion of my work.

Outcomes of research leading to impact

My research showed that Sloane’s Froglets occur in peri-urban areas which are under immediate threat from development and that they are in need of protection.
My ecological research contained detailed information about the characteristics of wetlands that Sloane’s Froglets inhabit and use. This information has been used – sometimes to protect existing wetlands and sometimes to construct new wetlands. The construction of new wetlands that protect Sloane’s Froglets has been required under legislation as a result of my distribution and detection research. Sloane’s Froglets inhabit these wetlands.
My new knowledge of detection of Sloane’s Froglets has resulted in guidelines being developed and used that provide correct knowledge to consultants to determine the presence and absence of Sloane’s Froglets. These guidelines are required to be used under legislation in the determination of new developments and planning regulations. In particular, this has resulted in less false claims of the absence of Sloane’s Froglets.
My work has inspired many individuals, teachers school children and community groups to survey for Sloane’s Froglets and provide their data to the Australian Museum’s FrogID database, hugely increasing our knowledge of the frog’s distribution and our ability to manage for it
My work has enabled schools, community groups and individuals to protect and enhance frog habitat and to undertake learning and artistic activities to share knowledge about science, frogs and wetlands.

My research into the conceptual framework of intentional ecology has been publicly acknowledged and commented upon through the i2 site blog by Prof Mark Burgman, editor-in-chief of the journal Conservation Biology, Professor Gerald Midgely, Professor of Systems Thinking at the University of Hull, Professor Mark Reed whose name is synonymous with understanding research impact, and Ioan Fazey, Professor of Social Dimensions of Environment and Change at the University of York.

Beneficiaries of the impact

The major beneficiaries of the impact are Sloane's Froglet populations throughout Albury-Wodonga and Corowa-Rutherglen-Wahgunyah Regions in NSW and Victoria and their associated frog communities and wetlands that they inhabit.
Other beneficiaries include Corowa and Albury Schools, Landcare and the broader community who have developed a deep level of ownership of this frog species as a result of my work with them and actively manage wetlands for the protection of the species.
Local government are also beneficiaries, as my research has provided them with the information they need to manage their wetlands and associated planning developments in a defendable evidence-based manner and to forward plan for the development of constructed wetlands according to specific criteria for Sloane's Froglet.
State and Federal government have benefitted from my research and engagement by being able to list the species, and develop guidelines and legally defensible plans based on sound scientific evidence.
The global academic community with an interest in the application of systems theory to biodiversity conservation has benefitted from my research through engaging with my conceptual framework of intentional ecology. For instance, my framework is being used as a guide for research in a consortium project in Scandinavia in which, as an overall objective, they are aiming to develop a more-than-human design methodology for accounting the needs of humans and non-humans (in this case urban animals) equitably in developing urban lighting solutions for the Nordic dark season.

Details of the impact achieved

The listing of Sloane's Froglet as endangered under the EPBC Act as a result of my research is an important change in legislation that has benefitted Sloane's Froglet populations, and the wetlands that it inhabits.
Since the determination of it as endangered, the many proponents of new developments within the regions that it inhabits (as determined through my distribution surveys) have had to undertake surveys for it based on the evidence for detection developed by me (as per the guidelines published by NSW government). Endangered amphibians are detected according to scientific evidence, so that false claims that they are not there are lessened and developments that threaten them are designed appropriately.
Existing wetlands have been protected (such as the very important source wetland protected in the Corowa region in the expert witness case). Many new wetlands have been developed, using guidelines directly developed from my habitat investigation and incorporated into the guidelines for developing stormwater retention basins in NSW. This includes both large individual wetlands >3000 metres squared and large numbers of wetlands, for instance the plans for 30 new basins specifically designed for Sloane's Froglet in the Wirlinga area. Development designs that include benefits for Sloane's Froglet are now occurring in multiple local government areas in New South Wales and Victoria.
Monitoring has shown that Sloane’s Froglets are using these new wetlands. There are more frogs in more places.
In addition, with my work as expert witness, the legislation has been shown to be defensible in Court ensuring that subsequent development proposals are more detailed and accurate. Existing populations of frogs are protected.
As a result of my work engaging local communities, communities and individuals are knowledgeable and undertake actions to benefit and share knowledge about threatened amphibians and wetlands, e.g. the very large Whitehead Street Wetland has been protected and enhanced with plantings and signage undertaken over multiple events and several years. Actions to enhance and remediate other wetlands are also underway such as the River Street Wetland in Corowa. These actions are undertaken on a monthly basis by community groups that have specifically come together for this purpose, after listening to my presentations or coming to one of our collaborative wetland restoration days.
My work has inspired communities to become more learned about frogs and wetlands, as well as nature generally, and to become more creative in protecting nature, for instance all of the Schools in the Corowa region have become involved in wetland conservation activities and artistic actions to share knowledge and inspiration of Sloane's Froglet. These impacts have expanded beyond the area where Sloane's Froglet occurs, so that new Landcare groups in different regions across Australia are now planning or undertaking wetland remediation works for frogs, such as at Beechworth and Mitta Mitta in Victoria (starting in 2018) and Wootton, Comboyne and Hastings most recently on the mid north coast of New South Wales (2022 - 2023). Learning about nature together and undertaking revegetation and wetland protection activities not only benefits nature but also  builds community connection and resilience.
Finally, my model of transdisciplinary practice is starting to be used internationally, so that researchers and practitioners use a holistic and reflexive approach to understanding and acting on complex socio-ecological issues, building sustainable, transformative and long-term responses - the first example being in Scandanavia as detailed above.

Impact date	2010 → 2023
Category of impact	Environmental Impact, Public policy Impact, Social Impact
Impact level	International