Who is Second Nature?

We’re a community based organisation, passionate and committed to nature conservation and sustainable land management across South Australia.

Second Nature is a trusted delivery partner for environmental projects of scale and significance. We work on a range of habitat restoration and protection projects, and have gained significant local knowledge since our establishment as GWLAP in 1998.

We’re Not-For-Profit

We’re for South Australian communities. Since 1998, we’ve delivered environmental works, and educational and agricultural sustainability programs. We’ve achieved this whilst working in partnership and collaboration with communities in South Australia.

We’re also trusted delivery partners for Federal, State and locally Government funded projects and our work extends to private landholders and fee-for-service work.

Our Mission…

We work with others for the purpose of reconstructing, restoring and conserving biodiversity in South Australia.

We manage natural resources sustainably.

We inspire others to re-connect and fall in love again with nature.

We advocate always for the environment.

We educate our local community regarding environmental matters, conservation strategies and initiatives.

We collaborate wherever and whenever possible with those who share our nature preservation objectives.

Ready to make some nature promises of your own?

We're well known for our experience…

Experienced staff and a long history of delivering high quality land care projects…

Staff Members

  • Ross Oke

    General Manager
    Before joining GWLAP, Ross planned and managed the SA Urban Forests Biodiversity Program and the Million Trees Program across greater Adelaide. These initiatives included regional biodiversity planning, policy, on-ground work and capacity building with significant investment and involvement from many stakeholders.Ross has previously held the voluntary position of Vice President with Trees for Life and also worked in education and training, amenity horticulture and landscaping.

  • Ben Simon

    Senior Project Officer, Biodiversity Programs and Nursery Operations
    Ben has been involved in local landcare, developing and implementing on-ground works projects for twenty years. He has achieved significant outcomes working closely with landcare groups and individual landholders. Ben has extensive botanical and vegetation management knowledge in a wide range of vegetation types.
    In his spare time, Ben coordinates the Goolwa Coastcare group who work to restore coastal areas and educate the community about coast and marine issues.

  • Leah Hunter

    Project Officer
    Leah has many years of experience coordinating and delivering revegetation and restoration projects in partnership with the community from the Riverland through to the Coorong and Lower Lakes. Leah has a background in various Natural Resource Management areas including irrigation efficiency, conservation planning, community liaison and revegetation planning and implementation.

  • Aaron Cheesman

    Operations Manager

    Aaron’s skills include managing and undertaking a range of on-ground restoration projects, leading on-ground works teams, and revegetation planning. Aaron has a background in leading youth training programs including Green Corps and Green Army and conducting koala projects and revegetation on Kangaroo Island. His hands-on skills and planning abilities enable him to skillfully coordinate our on-ground works crew to deliver environmental projects to a high standard in a safe and efficient way.

  • Keren Stagg

    Finance and Administration Officer
    Keren has worked in Financial and Administration management for many years across several industries which include manufacturing, export, wine, and health. She is enjoying her move from the corporate sector to Second Nature and is proud of the social and environmental outcomes delivered by the GWLAP team. She has a love of nature, supports sustainable land management practices, and believes that we can learn much from the original custodians of the land. In her spare time, Keren volunteers for the Angas River Catchment Group.

  • Sam Glazbrook

    Project Officer, Operations

    Sam is based at the community nursery in Mount Barker, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and a passion for horticulture.

    With a strong background in the field, Sam studied horticulture and has a deep love for native plants. He honed his expertise through his role at State Flora, and further enriched his skills as a nursery manager with the Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group.

    Beyond the garden, Sam's enthusiasm for nature extends into his personal life. In his spare time, you'll find him exploring the outdoors camping, bushwalking, and catching some waves. He's also a keen cultivator of native plants and cherishes time with family and friends.

  • Sarah Ansell

    Community Engagement Officer
    After completing a degree in Environmental Science and Management, Sarah is enjoying the move from an aged care background into the Community Engagement Officer Role. Gaining hands-on skills in volunteer roles with National Parks and Wildlife and Birds SA, Sarah enjoys developing and facilitating events that encourage people to engage with and learn about our natural environment.

  • Ky Wadmore

    Project Officer
    Ky brings a wealth of knowledge from his global travels and has worked for a range of organisations in the conservation field. Most particularly in large-scale ecological restoration and native seed collection, to working with threatened flora species protection through land management practices.

    In his spare time, you'll catch Ky out in our state's beautiful conservation areas observing and photographing native orchids. Ky has a passion for not only conserving but regenerating our natural areas for future generations to come, so others too can see the beauty in our unique ecosystems we are so lucky to enjoy.

We’re managed by voluntary board members

Board Members

  • Harry Seager

    Chairperson
    Harry was the Chair of the GWLAP Board of Management for 6 years and oversaw a period of strong growth in the organisation. Harry has significant experience in the natural resource management sector having worked in local action planning for 9 years. Harry is a member of the Kanmantoo-Callington Landcare Group and a member of the Brukunga Mine Rehabilitation Board.

  • Anne Welsh

    Vice-Chair
    Anne has a keen interest in natural resource management and sustainable development and worked in environmental management with various government agencies over the last 40 years. She is actively involved with local groups as secretary of the Macclesfield Bushcare Group and Chairperson of the Flaxley Landcare Group.

  • Margaret Wilksch

    OAM, Treasurer
    Margaret is a long term supporter of the Goolwa to Wellington LAP and has worked as a member of the Board of Management, including in the position of Treasurer, for more than 10 years. Margaret has also served on a number of other Boards with the aim of improving the environment. Margaret is always conscious of working with nature for more sustainable outcomes, and uses sustainable practices on her own farm.

  • Derek Fenton

    Public Officer
    Derek has been concerned about environmental damage, particularly increased carbon in the atmosphere for over 30 years. He works at developing resilience; in our young people through Operation Flinders, and in our natural environment, through the Finniss Catchment Group– so that both can deal with the problems that changes in the climate will bring.

  • Bruce Brooks

    Secretary

    Bruce lives on the Finniss River where he and his wife have a small olive grove and raise sheep and steers. Bruce is secretary of the Finniss Catchment Group, a very active and productive landcare group. Bruce was previously a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology.

  • Barry Lincoln

    Barry has a special interest in governance and organisational development and is a long term member of the GWLAP Board of Management. Barry has been working in the natural resource management sector for over 13 years and has also enjoyed working with indigenous peoples around the world.

  • Paul Johnston

    A teacher for 38 years, Paul now lives near Callington with his wife and both are very involved with the community. They have been restoring their 200 acre property for the last 13 years, gaining extensive on-ground experience in the management of grassy woodlands.

  • Ian Grosser

    Ian has a long history of involvement in conservation, holding positions in many groups including a period as the Vice President of the Conservation Council of SA. Currently, Ian is a councillor on the District Council of Mount Barker where he pursues social and environmental outcomes and more sustainable development.