Marine biologist with a purpose
Some of Melbourne Water’s leading researchers, scientists and ecologists working to keep our waterways and catchments clean and healthy for future generations are being recognised for their contributions they have made to their field of research and the Victorian community.
For Waterwatch Coordinator Naomi Dart, wet feet and raising community awareness to protect our waterways to benefit the elusive platypus is just part of the job.
Naomi is working alongside smart technologies as part of Melbourne Water’s Waterwatch Platypus Program and is taking critical steps to reduce waste overflow and windblown litter into nearby waterways.
Like many of us, marine biology was a career she is dreamt about since childhood. Naomi spent most of her school holidays swimming at the beach or frolicking in a river.
“I was really lucky. As a kid I had the opportunity to explore the environment and be totally immersed in nature and was blown away with the ocean and what lies beneath,” she recalls.
Her early experiences nurtured an affinity with the underwater world, and by high school she had her sights set on marine biology, the strain of science focussing on marine organisms, ecosystems, and conserving habitats for future generations.
As it turns out, there are various pathways Naomi chose to become a marine biologist. Her journey started with a degree (science engineering) before she returned to tertiary study as a postgraduate student to start her marine biology-focussed degree at James Cook University in Townsville.
“As a part of doing those degrees, I realised how much I enjoyed studying genetics and using genetics as a tool of understanding species evolution,” Naomi explains.
“I’ve ended up taking that knowledge and applying it to role at Melbourne Water.”
“Our waterway environments are incredible systems, and the platypus are the keystone animals,” says Naomi.
“Platypus are not only an iconic and unique native species, but also have a vital role in aquatic ecosystems, so for me, it made sense to study them.”
“The Platypus serve as an indicator species of waterway health as they are usually the first to return to waterways after water quality rehabilitation and conservation efforts have been established,” she explains.
“These issues are not just about the platypus. They are about a whole ecosystem that is under threat and how the platypus can ‘help’ look after all parts of the ecosystem by bringing community awareness through their unique profile.”
Most of the time, Naomi is collaborating with our delivery partners to educate community on the impact of litter has on our wildlife and the health of our rivers and creek.
“It’s a pretty special workplace. There is not really a better place to wake up,” she says.
Naomi delivers a range of campaigns to support enhanced liveability outcomes for our communities, including increasing water literacy, raising community awareness, and making litter extinct.
“It is important to spread the word that there is a need the Platypus. They are an iconic species, and they need to be protected and it (absolutely) comes down to education and awareness that there is a need for increased protection and extending the habitat and protecting the waterways. The benefit goes beyond the platypus.”
While Naomi’s job is filled with plenty of challenging tasks, she says it has been impossible not to form an attachment to the platypus.
“Working with live animals requires a huge investment in your time, but also your emotions,” she says.
“These beautiful creatures are very sensitive and really hard to keep alive, so that’s been quite a challenge.”
Concerns about the health of our rivers and waterways also play on her mind, but Naomi says she hopes her work will make a positive difference.
“You just have to do the science and advise as best you can.”
Media contact
Sandra Aloi, Senior Media Advisor
0417 894 115
[email protected]