Xuela Sledge, with over two decades of conservation and community engagement experience, manages pivotal projects for Greater Sydney Landcare. Xuela leads the Private Land Conservation Program, the Cumberland Plain Restoration Program, and the Southwest Sydney Koala Project.
Employing a holistic approach, Xuela engages with diverse stakeholders and fosters connections at all levels. She works with schools, scout groups, private landowners, councils, developers, members of parliament, wildlife rescue organisations, indigenous networks, scientists, nurseries, Bushcare and Landcare groups, funders, and more to accomplish and inspire on-ground conservation works within the Greater Sydney region.
Xuela delivered environmental education talks, workshops and training sessions throughout the year to many groups including conferences and volunteer tree planters at Creating Canopies days, and participated in many community roundtables, steering committees and advisory groups.
Xuela also promoted Private Land Conservation to landowners and worked closely with partners including the Great Eastern Ranges and Biodiversity Conservation Trust, and councils including Wollondilly Shire Council, Campbelltown City Council, Penrith City Council and Wingecarribee Shire Council.
Welcome to a New Team Member!
In 2023, Xuela was supported by a new team member Sophie Blair, who contributes her experience as a bush regenerator, bushcare supervisor and soon to be completed Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management.
2023 Highlights
- Xuela worked with researchers in the field, such as the Western Sydney University on the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan, and Sydney University on radio tracking koalas collared for their Chlamydia vaccine trial.
- With Sophie – established two new monthly Birding and Bushcare groups, at Scheyville National Park and Wianamatta National Park – read Sophie’s update on these groups here.
- Co-delivered a Bush Regeneration Basics program developed by Sophie
- Facilitated on-ground koala habitat restoration projects including Indigenous cultural and ecological burns and tree plantings
- Engaged and supported landholders in on-ground koala habitat restoration works
- Set up and monitored wildlife cameras to detect koalas on private land
- Spoke to newspapers, television programs, and podcasts about conservation efforts
- Ran a Koala Stall at Buxton Youth Day, reaching 200-300 participants
- Facilitated the completion of a Koala mural at Appin Public School by artist Jo Quilter with Year 3/4 STEM students.
- Engaged educators to deliver Koala and biodiversity talks at Wollondilly events
- Completed training to gain a remote pilot’s license for drones to facilitate monitoring efforts
- Supported baseline Koala survey with landholder network in Mulgoa and Hawkes
- Presented at Koala Discovery Day attended by Member for Wollondilly, Judy Hannan MP
- Presented to the Georges Riverkeeper AMG on the Southwest Sydney Koala Project
At the heart of Xuela and Sophie’s achievements this year are two key beliefs—firstly, that every person can make a meaningful contribution to conservation, and secondly, that by working together we can immensely increase our impact for the environment.
