Manager and Senior Scientist

Mark Wapstra is an ecologist who prides himself on his dedication to detailed assessments and a balanced view of proposals, with an emphasis on finding balanced and equitable solutions to taking account of environmental values in the context of development proposals.

Mark's unofficial motto for any project is "quality first", attempting to leave no stone unturned in undertaking detailed field assessments and preparing reports that emphasise practical unopinionated solutions to the issues identified.

Mark has a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) with a major in zoology from the University of Tasmania. He spent over 10 years working as an ecologist at the Forest Practices Authority. Mark's contribution to the forest practices system was recognised in 2007 with an award for excellence in research, advice and services to forest managers.

While he has lost none of his enthusiasm for working with Tasmania's unique fauna, his work within the forestry sector stimulated a keen interest in the vascular flora of Tasmania. Mark spends much time in the bush and prides himself on keeping up with the taxonomy of Tasmanian plants.

Mark has several areas of scientific interest including the taxonomy and ecology of native species of Senecio (fireweeds and groundsels), the ecology of our most fascinating plant Thismia rodwayi (fairy lanterns), the ecology of native orchids (he is a member of the State Orchid Recovery Team), and the management of hollow-bearing trees in wood production forests (he is a member of the Hollows Working Group). Mark has authored numerous scientific and technical reports on many subjects and continues to write books on Tasmanian plants (see publication list).

Mark is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Community Review Committee (CRC) under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, the Royal Society of Tasmania, Birds Tasmania and the Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club (and edits the club's journal The Tasmanian Naturalist).

Mark Wapstra undertaking field assessments in Tasmania.

TOP: Identifying rare grass species in the field near Hobart.

LHS: Searching for rare plants on exposed rock faces on Tasmania's east coast.

CENTRE: Counting rare Stylidium species and other tiny ephemeral herbs on an old track near Counsel Hill on King Island.

RHS: Crossing the North Esk River in search of Epacris exserta and other rare plants.

Scientific Officer

Brian French has a Bachelor of Science with a major in plant science from the University of Tasmania. Brian has spent many years exploring Tasmania, both as a hobby and employed with various organisations such as the Parks & Wildlife Service, Forestry Tasmania, forestry companies, mining companies and the Forest Practices Authority.

Brian’s interests are diverse and he brings an enthusiastic approach to any project, with excellent technical and scientific skills. His commitment to high quality field assessments and reporting with a pragmatic approach are two of his most important skills. Brian’s dedication to the practical management of threatened species is seen in his personal research into plants such as the rare Spyridium parvifolium.

Brian French undertaking field assessments in Tasmania.

LHS: Brian describes the vegetation of a proposed mining site on the State's rugged west coast.

RHS: Brian surveying the extent of a population of the rare fern Blechnum cartilagineum near Lone Star Road in north-east Tasmania, one of a few sites supporting the species in Tasmania.

LHS: Brian on the rocky slopes above the North Esk River upon discovering a massive population of the rare shrub Prostanthera rotundifolia.

Business Administration and Scientific Adviser

Lorilee Yeates has a Bachelor of Science (with First Class Honours) with majors in zoology and microbiology, and a minor in botany. Her Honours thesis was on the relative roles of macroinvertebrates and microorganisms in the breakdown of willow and eucalypt leaves in freshwater streams (see publication list below). After roles as a microbiologist at the University's School of Agricultural Science and the State Department of Public Health, Lorilee's career took a different tack as she entered the field of real estate as a sales consultant with North Shore Realty. With a business partner, she bought this business in 1998 and built it up to be one of the most successful independent non-franchised real estate agencies in southern Tasmania. She is currently the Real Estate Agent and Director of North Shore Realty. In between all of this, Lorilee managed to get married and have two beautiful children.

Lorilee also has a Diploma of Business (Real Estate Management), holds a current Real Estate Manager's licence, is a member of the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania, is an active member of Rotary Moonah, holds a PADI scuba diving licence, and is a member of the Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club, the University of Tasmania Alumni and the Southern Tasmanian Volleyball Association. Lorilee is a well-respected member of the Tasmanian real estate and broader community, with a forward thinking approach to new ideas, hard work, commitment, and a refreshingly positive attitude.

At ECOtas, Lorilee works behind the scenes in business administration and accounts, and providing scientific advice and support.

Publication list

Yeates, L.V. (1994). The Role of Invertebrates and Microorganisms in the Breakdown of Willow and Eucalypt Leaves in a Tasmanian Stream. Unpublished Honours thesis, School of Zoology, University of Tasmania.

Yeates, L.V. & Barmuta, L.A. (1999). The effects of willow and eucalypt leaves on feeding preference and growth of some Australian aquatic macroinvertebrates. Australian Journal of Ecology 24(6): 593-598. [pdf - willows & eucalypts]