Lumen Winter 2023 - Flipbook - Page 45
Giving feature
Resources for
a sustainable
future
As South Australia’s leading researchintensive institution, the University of
Adelaide continues to accelerate transitions
towards sustainability with investment in
research that has a measurable impact.
Our goal is research that builds sustainable
pathways and addresses complex challenges
associated with climate change, food
and water security, biodiversity, health,
and housing.
Central to increasing our capacity to
produce cutting-edge research is the
Barr Smith Library.
A diverse and accessible collection of
physical and digital resources is essential
in supporting more than 21,000 learners
and researchers each year, and invaluable to
setting up our University and community
for success.
The Barr Smith Library offers a range of
high-quality resources to support academics
and research students throughout the
research lifecycle. Each year it raises muchneeded funds to purchase key research
resources and continue to be a gateway
to knowledge. This would not be possible
without the help of our community.
We are currently raising $63,000 to secure
a new resource from Wiley Digital Archives
titled Environmental Science and History.
With a focus on the critical aspects of
environmental science, subjects include
ecology, biodiversity, deforestation, fisheries
and climate change.
Published in 2023, Environmental Science
and History encompasses tracing the impacts
of human activity on the natural world, and
enables these impacts to be researched and
analysed through documents, images, data,
maps and photographs.
To invest in a sustainable future and support
our students and researchers to excel, please
make a tax-deductible gift today.
Donor spotlight
For Alex Bishop-Thorpe, a member
of the University’s monthly giving
program, supporting a charity or cause
you are passionate about is your vote for
the world you want.
A nature-lover and long-time supporter
of the Koonamore Vegetation Reserve,
Alex has seen first-hand how the land
and natural environment rejuvenates
once introduced species are removed
and the native plants are able to flourish.
“When I was 12 my Mum (Brenda
Thorpe, Roseworthy Diploma of
Agriculture, 1978) and Dad, bought a
property that had cattle. We removed the
cattle and within three years the trees
had grown back,” Alex says.
“The Koonamore Vegetation Reserve is
about seeing what is already on the land,
supporting what is there, and applying
science to it. I like the simplicity of that.
“By supporting the environmental
research at Koonamore Vegetation
Reserve I hope to ensure their valuable
work continues well into the future, and
that the important data captured can
be studied and shared to benefit other
projects across the country.”
Alex hanging a gate on his property in the
Murray Mallee where he is regenerating the
land with his partner Aurelia
Koonamore Vegetation Reserve
Koonamore Vegetation Reserve is a unique environmental research
project that has been underway since 1925, with first measurements
starting in 1926.
Located 400 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, records have been
maintained from 1926 to the present day, making it the longest-running
vegetation monitoring project of its type in Australia, and one of the longest
in the world.
Set up to exclude sheep, and largely rabbit-free, University researchers,
students and volunteers monitor the reserve for vegetation change and
regeneration, and help to preserve the unique arid ecology of the region.
All donations to Koonamore Vegetation Reserve
support this research which provides insights into
arid zone ecology, problems such as vegetation
responses to changing climate and changes in
land use.
To support this history-making environmental
research, please make a tax-deductible gift today.
LUMEN – WINTER 2023 45
