Our team
Working across the peak environment groups in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, our team is made up of campaigners, water policy experts and change-makers speaking up for a healthy river system.
Our Board
Craig Wilkins
National Co-Director
Craig has worked in the areas of public health, social services, environmental change, and politics for over 30 years in for-purpose organisations, in the public service and in Parliament House. While Chief Executive of South Australia’s peak environment body, the Conservation Council of South Australia, he had a decade-long involvement in fighting for a healthier Murray-Darling Basin. Craig brings extensive experience and skills in creating and communicating systems change alongside a deep passion to look after the wonders of the nature.
Anna Demant
National Co-Director
Jono La Nauze
Chair
Jono has worked on environment and land justice campaigns in and around the Murray-Darling since 2001 and is currently CEO of Environment Victoria. He negotiated a landmark Cooperation Agreement between Murray & Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) and seven state and national environmental NGOs that underpinned the successful campaign to establish a 250,000-hectare river red gum reserve system incorporating numerous Indigenous joint management agreements. He was a nationally prominent voice in the establishment of the Basin Plan as the Australian Conservation Foundation’s national rivers campaigner.
Dave Copeman
Board Member
Dave is an experienced campaigner and organiser who has spent 20+ years organising for social change in Queensland. He has been the Director of Queensland Conservation Council since 2021, and loves to push Queensland to be a climate and biodiversity leader, not a laggard. He was the founding lead organiser of the Queensland Community Alliance, and has worked as a union, human rights and pro-democracy campaigner and a political advisor. Dave’s family have worked for generations to protect Queensland’s natural wonders as environmental activists.
Kirsty Bevan
Board Member
Kirsty is the CEO of the Conservation Council of South Australia, the Peak Body for Conservation in the state. Kirsty brings 20 years of experience in management and advocacy roles within the environmental community. She has a proven track record of building and empowering high-performing teams, fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders, and driving strategic initiatives. In her current role Kirsty plays a critical role in advocating for nature conservation with government ministers, CEOs, and industry leaders, demonstrating her deep understanding of the importance of having an independent voice for nature and creating a pathway for passionate people to work together in the pursuit of better outcomes for nature.
Jacqui Mumford
Board Member
Jacqui has a diverse background in strategic leadership, philanthropy, organising and environmental compliance. She brings this wealth of experience into her role as CEO of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, alongside a passion for climate action and environmental protection.
Simon Copman
Board Member
Simon was raised in Canberra and has been passionate about the environment for his entire life. He has a long history in the Australian climate movement. Most recently he was the Executive Director at Pedal Power ACT where he led campaigns to boost active travel investment in the territory. He worked for 350.org Australia, where he helped organise a climate tour of Pacific Islanders to Australia, which included a blockade of the Newcastle Coal Port. Simon also has a PhD through the Australian National University.
Our Change Makers
Mel Gray
Campaigner (NSW)
Anna McGuire
National Policy Lead, MDCA (NSW)
Char Nitschke
Campaigner (SA)
Tyler Rotche
Campaigner (VIC)
Nigel Parratt
Water policy officer (QLD)