Ella Cathcart-van Weeren

Ella was introduced to ecology and conservation through the lens of Traditional knowledge in the Northern Territories’ Aboriginal communities, where she grew up. 

She also has strong ties to Cape Otway, where she holidayed every year, exploring its beaches, woodlands, and rainforests. She is excited to further her knowledge of the Otways and contribute to positive conservation outcomes as an intern with the CEC. 

Ella holds a degree in Masters of Conservation Science, and works as a Research Assistant and Tutor at the University of Queensland, teaching statistics and field ecology. Her work focuses on how rainforest trees vary their functional traits in response to moisture availability, and how they might be affected by climate change.