Wildlife Conservation and Management.

As long as I can remember. I always wanted to be a zoologist. During my post-graduate years (1987-1991) conservation of fauna became a far more recognised issue in New South Wales and Australia, particularly with frogs. It seemed like a good area to work in.

I have Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees with The University of Sydney. That took 8 years. I worked casually with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service after this for 8 months, which gave me a good background in the legislation and issues involved in wildlife conservation, leading to my current position.

Write research reports and papers, answer questions on vertebrate biology, surveys and conservation strategies (mainly involving frogs) for the regional staff in SFNSW and a range of other people and plan research programs in the future. During field trips, time is spent counting and tracking frogs or reptiles, measuring environmental variables and talking with SFNSW staff and other interested people.

Wildlife survey and identification, complex data analysis, scientific report writing, oral communication (for talks to people of all levels), general computer skills and conservation and management strategies.

Seeing animals in the wild.

Paperwork not related to my research.

Any type of wildlife or land conservation officer in government agencies, environmental consultant, education officer.

Being able to get out and see the world we live in and feel like you are trying to do something to help it. Instilling other people with an enthusiasm about wildlife and conservation and working with students to pass on what knowledge I can to them.

Little recognition of the value in what biologists do - that's discouraging at times. Also the obvious monetary disadvantage (earning half or less of that paid to an economist, banker etc. with a similar skill level), and a more general community feeling that it is all just a bit of fun and not very serious work.

Another disadvantage is having to work in with the habits of the animals so that your own personal/social life becomes a bit complicated. Having to run off and chase frogs at a moments notice, whilst fun, does not always endear me to my wife, particularly when I am supposed to be going to a concert or family get together.

When I started working in this area, the conservation of frogs in forests in New South Wales and eastern Australia was generally just guess-work. My work has contributed a lot to knowing what will or, more importantly, what won't work in frog conservation in forestry areas. My studies have also helped a lot in assessing the conservation status of many frogs in New South Wales.

Giving everyone a bit more confidence in how much effect forestry is having on wildlife and what changes can be/need to be made to forestry activities to continue conserving wildlife into the foreseeable future.

Probably doing the same job because there is no other job like it in New South Wales.

If you wish to ask Frank for additional information, you can email UniServe Science and we will contact Frank for you. Make sure you include Frank's name and occupation in the Subject line.

Find out more about Frank's research at Frank's research interests

You can find out more about forest management from the State Forest of New South Wales web site.

Father's Day Special: All-Star Animal Dads - an article in National Geographic News

You can find out more about frogs and their conservation from

Frogs Australia Network

Frogs - Amphibia - from Wildlife of Sydney

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Environment ACT: Threatened species

National Zoo Frog Project

The Action Plan for Australian Frogs, Environment Australia

You can find out more about amphibians and reptiles and their conservation from

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

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