Environment Centre NT

Meet the team

Executive Director | Kirsty Howey PhD, LLM

Kirsty is the Executive Director of the Environment Centre NT, and has led the organisation since October 2020. She is an advocate, researcher and strategist with over 20 years’ experience. She was a native title, land rights and environmental lawyer for over a decade. Her PhD thesis at the University of Sydney investigated the intersection between Indigenous institutions, the environment, the state and development in northern Australia, and she has published widely in this area. Kirsty also has a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Hons) from the Australian National University, and a Master of Laws from the University of British Columbia. She is an adjunct research fellow at Charles Darwin University. Kirsty is inspired by communities across the Northern Territory fighting to protect some of the most precious natural and cultural landscapes in the world.

Policy and Research Lead | Naish Gawen

Naish Gawen is an environmental campaigner with an interest in stopping fossil fuel expansion and seeing a fair and just transition. He holds a Masters of Climate Change from ANU.

Philanthropy Manager | Ione McLean

Ione has engaged, supported and been inspired by philanthropists for over a decade at the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN), a member-based organisation for environmental funders that strives to grow effective philanthropy to protect nature and secure a safe climate. Previously she worked in program and business development in the climate and energy efficiency sector with non-government organisations, state government and small business, and as a fundraiser for several environmental organisations, Environment Victoria and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW. Ione has a Master of Environmental Science from Monash University and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

Senior Campaigner - Climate | Bree Ahrens

Bree works on ECNT's campaigns to stop dangerous gas expansion in the NT and achieve a just climate. She has previously worked as a campaigner, researcher, editor and translator in Melbourne, Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Climate Campaigner | Suki Dorras-Walker

Suki Dorras-Walker is a passionate environment and human rights campaigner. She has lived in the Red Centre, Arnhem Land and Darwin and is committed to preserving the spectacular natural environment in the Territory. Having grown up in Vanuatu, she is keenly aware of the threats climate change and Australia's fossil fuel expansion poses to Pacific nations. She has been a teacher for ten years and is now completing a Juris Doctor at the Macquarie University. Her leadership in community campaigning in Darwin has been critical to building an active and engaged climate and justice movement in the Northern Territory.

Senior Nature Campaigner - currently hiring

Nature Campaigner | Amy Russell

A former Australian Geographic reporter and communications specialist, Amy was drawn to environmental campaigning after witnessing the power and energy of the Save Binybara/Lee Point campaign. As a mother of two young children, Amy believes we owe it to future generations to fight for nature.

Freshwater Campaigner - currently hiring

Senior Renewables and Climate Justice Campaigner - currently hiring

Project Manager | Tuppy McIntosh

Tuppy McIntosh is a project and program specialist who has spent recent years managing the front-end planning and the back-end construction of new hospital projects, both here and overseas. They have a background in transboundary research and international humanitarian law and are deeply curious about the mechanisms moving us away from global partnerships and cooperation. Tuppy supports the collaborative work of the ECNT through the coordination of the Northern Australia Conservation Alliance.

Rural Areas Community Campaigner | Pauline Cass

Pauline Cass is ECNT's Rural Community Campaigner. Pauline is an environmental scientist and community advocate who has lived in Darwin's rural area since her teens. Her decades long dedication to her work protecting our unique environment and lifestyle from fracking, mining, weeds, and water issues, is driven by her deep love of the Territory and a desire to see it protected for future generations.

CoolMob Coordinator | Bridget Edmunds

Bridget is the Sustainable Living Coordinator for COOLmob, leading projects that promote household energy efficiency, sustainable living, and renter-friendly energy solutions. She also delivers sustainability lessons in primary schools and helps workplaces implement sustainability strategies, action plans, and greenhouse gas emissions inventories.

Events and Engagement Coordinator | Lou De Mattia

Lou De Mattia has a Masters in Environmental Management and has used this in local Government, industry and community organisations to develop and deliver meaningful environmental education, communications and engagement. Lou is passionate about the circular economy and enabling community members to engage in values-based change.