Terrain NRM's Board Welcomes its New Emerging Leader

‘EMERGING LEADER’ OPPORTUNITY WITH TERRAIN NRM BOARD

HULTON KING OUR NEW ‘EMERGING LEADER’

14 DECEMBER 2020

A career that benefits the natural environment has brought Hulton King back to Cairns.

The new ‘Emerging Leader’ on Terrain NRM’s Board moved from Brisbane and a law and business background four years ago to a programs manager role with Cairns’ Reef and Rainforest Centre – and the change has also led to volunteering and a board position in the environmental sector.

Mr King said strengthening the link between science and on-ground activities was a goal.

“Communicating the science and research to land managers is important, and seeing how it’s applied on the ground,’’ he said.

“In Northern Australia there are an enormous amount of opportunities in environmentally sustainable use of natural assets and we all benefit from open discussions on everything from water quality to renewable energy and sustainable development.”

Mr King is the third Far Northerner to take advantage of Terrain NRM’s new Emerging Leader mentoring program, designed to encourage the younger generation onto corporate boards.

Terrain’s Board Chair Keith Noble said the one-year position helped future leaders to strengthen their career paths and, just as importantly, brought fresh perspectives to the board.

“There is a lot of untapped leadership potential in our region,’’ he said. “This program is showing us first-hand just how much millennials value the environment and look for new ways to make a contribution.”

Terrain NRM is a not-for-profit organisation that works with the community to deliver environmental and agricultural projects.

Mr King said growing up in Cairns and then spending time away studying and working had given him a strong appreciation for the Wet Tropics region and its natural assets. He volunteers for Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef and was part of Left Right Think Tank, a not-for-profit youth-led organisation focused on developing innovative public policies.

His Reef and Rainforest role has included coordinating forums on sustainable use of nitrogen on cane farms and crown of thorns starfish control measures.

“I’m loving being back here and building a career in the environmental sector,’’ he said. “My first experience on a board is another step to better understanding how we can influence in a way that’s positive and beneficial for the environment.”