Earthwatch Australia and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), a national research infrastructure capability hosted by The University of Queensland, have formalised a strategic collaboration to drive innovative approaches to environmental monitoring, citizen science, and ecosystem stewardship.
Through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the partnership will leverage Earthwatch’s grassroots community science engagement and TERN’s nation-scale research infrastructure to fill critical biodiversity data gaps—particularly in mangrove, wetland, and coastal ecosystems.
“This partnership is about bringing together the power of people and the precision of science,” said Fiona Sutton Wilson, CEO of Earthwatch Australia. “By harmonising citizen-collected data with national research systems, we are scaling community knowledge into science that supports resilient ecosystems and policy-ready insights.”
As outlined in the MoU, Earthwatch and TERN will explore collaborations in:
- Biodiversity monitoring using citizen science at key TERN sites
- National data integration aligned with FAIR and CARE principles
- Educational resource development and citizen science training
- Joint funding applications to support scalable, high-impact environmental initiatives
TERN Director Dr Beryl Morris emphasised the significance of the partnership: “This collaboration exemplifies how national research infrastructure can support community stewardship of Australia’s unique ecosystems. Together with Earthwatch, we are advancing the visibility, usability, and value of citizen science for the nation.”
The partnership will first focus on building and hosting a dedicated mangrove data platform, enhancing public access to vital environmental data.
With shared goals in ecosystem resilience, science education, and inclusive participation, this alliance sets a new benchmark for research-community collaboration.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Earthwatch Australia –
TERN Australia (UQ) –
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