Bush regenerator, Scott Meier still can't believe he is being paid to do something he has a passion for.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Topi Topi-based co-founder of Bushland and Rainforest Restoration and Consulting (BARRC), Mr Meier has helped to restore some of the State's most endangered indigenous vegetation, including strips of unique littoral rainforest throughout the Great Lakes.
His love for nature can be traced back to his childhood growing up in north western Sydney, and a home which backed onto hundreds of hectares of native bushland.
"I grew up playing and riding my bikes in the bush," he said.
After completing his secondary school education, Scott began studying economics at university.
However, it was only a matter of time before he was called back to his first love, management and rehabilitation of the land, cultivating this passion with TAFE studies as a mature student.
Scott credits Australia with having one of the most efficient and effective conservation and land management systems in the world.
"The depth of interest (in conservation) is like no other in the world," he said.
He said biodiversity and conservation was not undertaken as widely as in Australia anywhere else in the world.
"We cannot live on the planet without healthy native vegetation; the economic ramifications would be endless.
"If the landscape is not managed we lose fertility of the land."
Bush regeneration began back in the 1960s and 70s when the Bradley sisters developed a series of weed control and native vegetation recovery techniques through trial and error in Sydney.
We cannot live on the planet without healthy native vegetation; the economic ramifications would be endless.
- Scott Meier
Scott is passionate about the role of bush regenerators in supporting vegetation and ecosystems in times of disturbance like the recent summer bushfires.
"The role of the bush regenerator can be critical to the success or failure of a planned or wildfire to bring positive ecological results.
"It is critical that their knowledge is incorporated into Australia's developing fire management systems."
TAFE NSW is training the next generation of bush regenerators and supplying a critical pipeline of workers to ensure the longevity of Australia's unique ecosystems.
The United Nations has declared this to be the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration with land degradation negatively impacting at least 3.2 billion people worldwide and leading to significant loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The TAFE alumni insists that his employees complete TAFE NSW qualifications to meet the needs of his business.
"Regardless of the qualifications or science degrees that my employees hold, I send all of my employees to TAFE NSW to complete the Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management," Scott said.
"All of my employees place significant social and educational value on their TAFE NSW training, and I have the peace of mind that they are well-trained with the practical skills and experience necessary to do the job correctly.
Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Great Lakes Advocate newsletter here.