indigenous bursary recipient

INDIGENOUS BURSARY RECIPIENT 2025

SUPPORTING FUTURE LEADERS

September 2025

Championing Conservation: Ashlyn Skeene

Yirrganydji woman Ashlyn Skeene has recently been awarded an Indigenous bursary from not-for-profit environmental organisation Terrain NRM to help with her studies. This recognition is a testament to her dedication and passion for environmental conservation.

Ashlyn is a Biodiversity Ranger, working with the environmental team at Cairns Airport, and she’s currently studying a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice at TAFE, with aspirations of becoming a project manager in the environmental sector. Her goal is to make a significant impact in her community.

“Growing up as an Indigenous person and being able to connect with nature and the environment as a way of life is what inspired me to pursue a career in conservation,” she says.

The bursary from Terrain NRM will help Ashlyn to achieve both her short-term and long-term career goals.

“I am so grateful that Terrain NRM chose me for this award,’’ she says. “I am more motivated now and ready to make my community proud.”

In 2022, Ashlyn was honoured with the Reef Traditional Owner Youth Champion Award. As a Yirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger, she has contributed to scientific research on blue carbon and its co-benefits, including water quality. She has also participated in seagrass, bird and fish surveys, and leads community volunteers on remote beach clean-ups, taking direct action on plastics.

The Reef Champion awards, run by Queensland Farmers’ Federation with support from Prince’s Trust Australia, Australian and Queensland governments, recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations working to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef.

Terrain NRM’s Natural Capital Fund Indigenous Education Bursary was introduced to encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to become future leaders in natural resource management. It also gives recipients the chance to meet people across the environment and agriculture sectors.

The annual program is open to students studying or planning to study at university or TAFE in courses focused on environment, agriculture, natural resource management, conservation or sustainable development. For more information, visit Terrain NRM’s website at www.terrain.org.au/about-us/indigenous-bursaries/