Ric founded the Australian Dragonfly Society
photo © Wildlife Queensland

Staff, volunteers and members of Wildlife Queensland are saddened at the recent passing of passionate conservationist and broadcaster Ric Nattrass. Ric was a well known wildlife expert and respected advocate for the environment.

'Ric is synonymous with conservation in Queensland, a cherished environmental leader, a respected and tenacious advocate for wildlife, particularly koalas, he will be sadly missed by all creatures great and small.' Simon Baltais, President Wildlife Queensland.

Ric founded the Queensland Frog Society, the Australian Dragonfly Society and the Ipswich Koala Protection Society and was an honorary life member of several other conservation societies. In April 2003 he was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal 'For outstanding service to community knowledge and conservation of the natural environment', and in 2004 he was awarded the Ipswich Centenary Medal 'in recognition of his advocacy for the conservation of nature and public education role'. He had a long career as a ranger with the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service. Ric also led Nature Search which involved co-ordinating a statewide program encouraging local communities to record wildlife in their area.

In 2006, a stand of old growth forest at Bellbird Park, west of Brisbane was named the Ric Nattrass Environmental Park in honour of his advocacy work and recognition of his enormous contribution to conservation and the environment.

Ric Nattrass brought the environment to the people with his regular ABC radio show that informed and entertained listeners for sixteen years.  In 2004 he published his book ‘Talking Wildlife with Ric Nattrass’. The book answers many questions regarding the wildlife in your back yard. He was also a contributing author to the book 'Wildlife of Greater Brisbane'.

The Society's Executive Director, Des Boyland, praised Ric for highlighting wildlife in a way that the community could understand. 'He made a difference', Des said.

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email.