Southern New England Landcare is delighted to welcome Thaw Ni Ni Zaw to the team as the new Northern Tablelands Koala Conservation Officer.
Originally from the dry zone region near Mandalay in Myanmar, Thaw Ni brings a rich and diverse background in agriculture, environmental science, and community-based conservation to the role.
“I’ve always been passionate about biodiversity and community-based conservation,” says Thaw Ni.
“This role aligns perfectly with my background in agricultural and environmental science and my experience working with farmers and communities,” she said.
Thaw Ni’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Master of Horticulture from Yezin Agricultural University.
Her master’s research explored the harvesting and use of traditional wild vegetables by isolated ethnic groups in Myanmar’s mountainous regions.
Since 2016, Thaw Ni has worked on international agricultural research and extension projects led by the University of New England (UNE) and funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
In her roles as Research Associate, Senior Research Associate, and later Project Coordinator, she led work in Myanmar focused on rural livelihoods, farming systems, gender analysis, institutional capacity building, and participatory extension methods.
She also gained experience supporting livestock farmers in Indonesia.
In 2023, Thaw Ni was awarded an Australia Awards Scholarship to undertake a Master of Environmental Science and Management at UNE.
Her thesis, completed in May 2025, examined the cultural significance of Indigenous Australian plants in the Gwydir Wetlands.
No stranger to Landcare, Thaw Ni has been volunteering with Southern New England Landcare for the past 12 months, including fieldwork on koala conservation projects across the region.
In addition to her work with Landcare, Thaw Ni also volunteers at the N.C.W. Beadle Herbarium at UNE, building her expertise in plant identification and ecological monitoring.
Based in Armidale and applying for permanent residency, Thaw Ni is excited to contribute to koala conservation in the Northern Tablelands.
“I love the small-town atmosphere, the green spaces, and the national parks,” she says.
“Landcare is a respected and trusted organisation, and I am proud to be part of it.”
Thaw Ni’s strong foundation in agricultural production systems, combined with her experience in environmental science and extension, will be an asset as she works with landholders, communities, and project partners to support koala conservation across our region
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