This past summer I was lucky enough to undertake a studentship through the RCAAE. For six weeks I lived with another student cadet in Falls Creek and we assisted with fieldwork under the supervision of academics working within the research centre. The studentship allowed me to gain exposure to the realities of field work and research – this of course included data entry!

The data entry was accompanied by exciting opportunities too, which allowed me to experience many remote areas of the Alpine National Park. This included surveying the demography of an endangered species of rock caraway (Oreomyrrhis brevipes) on windy basalt outcrops. Completing altitudinal transects on the steep Mt McKay, seeing a whole span of flora that exists in Bogong High Plains from true alpine peak to montane forests in one day. It was great to participate in some work that gave me insights into how researchers and land managers cooperate to manage invasive species when we hiked from Mount Hotham to Falls Creek surveying for the terrible ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). We also spent a several days collecting data from permanent transects which have been surveyed for almost 40 years.

There were also times when things didn’t go quite to plan, whether that was the lively weather of the alps, mishaps with 4WDs or trying to alter a sampling method in the field after realising it wasn’t the right fit. Adapting to the unexpected was one of the skills I developed, when on a day whilst working alone, a very thick fog blew in. Without the familiar mountains or trees to orient myself and had to blindly follow my GPS back to the car! And while working on a study which looked at the effects of warming on shrub phenology I attempted to stay focused despite having ants crawling all over my hands and legs while I crouched on the ground counting flowers of alpine mint bush (Prostanthera cuneata). Later I learnt that I could have avoided the ants by working earlier in the day, as they are a lot less active in the morning.

It was great to meet and hear stories of the people and researchers who are so committed to conservation and increasing scientific knowledge in the Victorian Alps. I learnt a huge amount both working in the field and through my interactions with researchers from different universities and abroad. The experience I gained from the studentship will be invaluable going forward. I am glad to have been able to contribute a small part to long-term research and conservation in such a special landscape of Australia.

– Courtney Taylor

Surveying basalt outcrops for rare and endangered species