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One of South Australia’s best-known environmental advocates has taken on a new national role, with Tim Jarvis AM named the inaugural Patron of Regenerate Australia.
The former South Australian of the Year will use the honorary position to champion large-scale ecosystem restoration across the country, while continuing his hands-on environmental work here in SA. Tim is an environmental scientist, explorer and conservation advocate whose work has spanned climate action, biodiversity restoration and some of the world’s most extreme environments.
He was named the 2024 Australian of the Year for South Australia and is perhaps best known locally as the founder of The Forktree Project, which is transforming a degraded former pastoral property on the Fleurieu Peninsula through native revegetation and ecological restoration.
Now, that experience will feed into his new role with Perth-based environmental charity Regenerate Australia. As Patron, Tim will act as an honorary ambassador for the organisation, helping increase awareness of its work restoring native ecosystems, strengthening climate resilience and supporting communities connected to Country.
“I am honoured to become Regenerate Australia’s inaugural Patron,” Tim said.
“Australia is home to extraordinary ecosystems, yet many are under growing pressure making it vital that we protect what remains.
“That is what makes Regenerate Australia’s mission so important. Its commitment to restoring ecosystems at scale, and with integrity, is something I am proud to support.”
Tim holds master’s degrees in environmental science and environmental law and has spent years combining practical conservation work with public advocacy. He has also famously recreated the Antarctic expeditions of explorers Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton, using the journeys to draw attention to climate change and the importance of protecting Antarctica.
Regenerate Australia CEO Joe Heffernan said Tim’s mix of scientific knowledge and practical experience made him a natural fit for the organisation.
“Tim brings a rare combination of scientific expertise, hands-on restoration experience and a trusted public voice, grounded in a clear understanding that meaningful environmental progress requires practical action sustained over the long term,” Joe said.
The appointment also builds on an existing partnership between Regenerate Australia and The Forktree Project, with the organisations already working together on an ambitious restoration effort in regional South Australia.
The Raukkan restoration initiative, on Ngarrindjeri Ruwe in the Coorong region, is being delivered alongside Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation and Raukkan Community Council.
As part of the project, The Forktree Project nursery has grown 25,000 native plants that will help rehabilitate degraded land and establish a community-designed pocket forest. The initiative also aims to build long-term nursery and seed-growing capability within the local community, allowing restoration work to continue beyond the initial planting program.
For Tim, the Patron role is another opportunity to encourage governments, organisations and individuals to take an active role in repairing Australia’s landscapes.
“I look forward to encouraging more people and organisations to play a role in caring for the landscapes on which we all depend.”
