BSSA Podcast

Apr 29 2024 12
BSSA Podcast artwork

The Biology Society of South Australia (BSSA) podcast brings you conversations on biology and biodiversity conservation in South Australia and beyond. Each episode features a guest researcher, delving into their area of interest with our host, Kiri Marker. Produced by Colette Blyth, Elisabetta Canteri, Tyler Dornan, Tori Love and Adam Toomes; introduction music by Darcy Whittaker; logistical support from the Biology Society of South Australia Special thanks to previous host & producers: Bradley Bianco, Christopher Jolly, and Myall Tarran

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Ep. 22 - Snake sex: Groundbreaking research from Megan Folwell

Apr 29 2024 38 mins  
Join us as we sit down with Megan Folwell, a Ph.D. student from the University of Adelaide, whose groundbreaking research made headlines in 2022. Megan, along with her supervisors, made waves with their unprecedented discovery: snakes have clitorises. In this episode, we embark on a journey with Megan as she unveils the intricacies of snake clitorises, providing the first comprehen

Ep. 21 - Tara McKenzie and Adelaide’s Brushtail Possums

Feb 08 2024 28 mins  
Are possum parties disrupting your slumber? We sit down with Tara McKenzie, a PhD student from the University of Adelaide, and delve into the nocturnal antics of urban brushtail possums. In this enlightening podcast, Tara unpacks her research on these adaptable creatures and their secret urban lives. Despite their common presence, she exposes the conservation risks they face, chall

Ep. 20 - Matt Coulter & the Corpse Flower: Giants of Botanical Conservation

May 30 2023 46 mins  
What's big, emits the stench of decaying flesh, and draws crowds of thousands? It's none other than the Amorphophallus titanum, commonly known as the corpse flower! In this episode, our guest Matt Coulter, the horticultural curator for the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, enlightens us about this botanical rockstar and much more.Embark on a damp and misty expedition through the

Ep. 19 - Urban Agriculture: Communities & Climate with Hannah Thwaites

Feb 21 2023 51 mins  
Veggie gardening is a hobby growing in popularity, with more and more South Aussies learning to grow their own food. But have you ever thought of growing your own food as more than a pastime, and actually an important branch of agriculture?Some hardcore green thumbs rely on their garden as their main source of food, while others simply grow the occasional herb on their windowsill.

Ep. 18 - Arid Recovery: An interview with Katherine Tuft

Jan 26 2023 40 mins  
The arid zone covers 70% of the Australian landmass. So, how can we restore and protect our country’s largest landscape? Arid Recovery is a wildlife reserve dedicated to conservation research in South Australia’s arid interior. Dr Katherine Tuft is the CEO and manager, undertaking conservation research to find practical on ground solutions to restore the arid landscape. Tori Lo

In The Spotlight: Mark Koolmatrie

May 20 2021 27 mins  
How can we strengthen the bond between people, our landscape and cultural ways of learning?The BSSA podcast is excited to present In The Spotlight, featuring voices of conservation within South Australia that you may not have heard of.Our first guest is Mark Koolmatrie, a Ramindjeri man of the Ngarrindjeri Nation, Chairperson of the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee, founder and

BSSA Q&A Special: Perspectives for Young Conservationists

May 13 2020 100 mins  
In lieu of our annual BBQ and presentation, we have taken to our podcast to bring you this special Q&A panel. This recording brings together professionals from the industry to communicate some insights and grounding knowledge to the budding career conservationist or environmental scientist.Is it important to study the right taxon, or just get something done? What are the strengths

Bonus Episode: An Audio Guided Tour of the South Port Dunes

Apr 06 2020 19 mins  
In this special episode of the BSSA Podcast host Bradley Bianco takes listeners on a short audio guided tour of the South Port Noarlunga Dunes system. The tour starts at the northern trailhead of a track that winds its way through these rare relics of sand hills that would have once spanned the Adelaide Coast. On the tour we have a look at many of the dune's native plants, listen o

Ep. 17 - Engaging the Community in Conservation: A conversation with Liz Milner

Mar 26 2020 37 mins  
In today's episode host Bradley Bianco sits down with President of the Friends of Black Hill and Morialata Conservation Parks group, Liz Milner. Liz shares her story of how she became involved in the prominent Adelaide-based Friends Group and some of the amazing work that the Group has done to restore habitat for many species of Threatened fauna. Liz also goes into detail about her

Ep. 16 - The Illegal Wildlife Trade: Part II

Nov 17 2019 38 mins  
What makes a species invasive? Turns out there's a lot of human behaviour at play between taking a species from the wild, and it becoming invasive in Australia. The story includes a complex pet trade, which is an ermergent global issue for wildlife. PhD Candidate Adam Toomes joins us to discuss the dynamics of alien vertebrate species establishing populations in Australia, and the