We are local people who are passionate about the Hills and Fleurieu region and deliver the work of the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.
At the heart of what we do is teamwork. We collaborate with land managers, First Nations people and the community to create a sustainable environment for the future.
We use our local knowledge and expertise to guide the community in making positive changes for our landscapes. Our goal is not just to manage land, but to help it regenerate and thrive for years to come.
By working together, we aim to care for the land, water, nature and climate in a way that benefits both our communities and the environment.
Our Leadership Team includes skilled people in natural resource management, sustainability, business, communication, and administration. We work flexibly and with commitment to achieve the best results for the environment, our partners, and the community.
Michael has over 20 years’ experience in environmental and natural resource management. Building on skills and knowledge gained as an NRM practitioner, he has held various leadership roles and led teams to engage with the community to plan and deliver environmental outcomes.
As Operations Manager at Hills and Fleurieu, Ben oversees the Board’s flagship landholder support program – the Stewardship program. He also holds a number of regional responsibilities relating to threatened species recovery, agricultural, coastal and regional grazing programs. Ben is well known for his pragmatism and knowledge of legal process relating to environmental protection and has spent the past ten years leading local programs with NRM and Landscape Boards relating to biodiversity restoration and pest plant and animal management. His broad ranging experience includes past roles working for the Pastoral Board as an Environmental Consultant and leading the Department of Environment and Water’s Native Vegetation Unit.
As the Manager, Planning and Engagement, Michaela oversees the communications, engagement, water resources, planning, and monitoring and evaluation programs. She has a key role in partnerships to increase the board’s impact in caring for land, water and nature, and crucial work amending the Eastern and Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plans, in collaboration with the Department for Environment and Water and neighbouring Landscape Boards.
Michaela is a seasoned leader in sustainability, applied science and emergency management, with extensive expertise across environmental, biodiversity conservation and agricultural portfolios. She has a track record of leading diverse teams and complex projects of public and policy interest to successfully deliver results. Her leadership style is cooperative and energetic.
Renee Clark
Manager, Business and Governance
Our stewardship team support rural land managers to be the best stewards they can be – embracing their role in caring for land, water and nature.
We have three district teams covering the Fleurieu Peninsula, Eastern Hills and Plains, and Adelaide Hills districts. Alongside them, our climate-ready agriculture team focuses on strengthening the resilience and long-term sustainability of farming systems.
Together, our teams help rural land managers connect with groups, access information, receive support, and apply for funding to enhance natural resources and prepare their businesses for future conditions.
Megan Harper
Stewardship Team Leader (Fleurieu Peninsula)
Jeff Edwards
Senior Stewardship Officer (Yankalilla Council area)
Jacqui Best
Senior Stewardship Officer (Victor Harbor Council area)
Alison Phillips
Stewardship Officer (Victor Harbor Council area)
Nicole Bennett
Stewardship Team Leader (Eastern Hills and Plains)
Charlie Balestrin
Senior Stewardship Officer (Mount Barker Distric Council area)
Daniel Sheehan
Stewardship Officer (Mount Barker District Council area)
Nick Dinan
Stewardship Officer
Susan Ivory
Stewardship Team Leader (Adelaide Hills)
Will Hannaford
Senior Stewardship Officer (Adelaide Hills Council area)
Billy-Jo Brewer
Stewardship Officer (Adelaide Hills Council area)
Pia Charlton
Senior Stewardship Officer (Onkaparinga Council Area)
Nicole Bennett
Stewardship Team Leader (Eastern Hills and Plains)
Donna Bartsch
Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator
Bonnie Armour
Climate Smart Agriculture Officer
Let’s chat about how we can work together to deliver solutions to environmental challenges across the Hills and Fleurieu.