Dear Colleagues
I am delighted to share that our 2026 TERN Webinar Series will commence on 4 February with a session exploring one of Australia’s least understood and most fascinating ecosystems: oases. Titled Lifelines in the Desert – the critical role of oases in biodiversity and heritage, this webinar will delve into the ecological, cultural and historical significance of these remarkable systems. I warmly encourage you to register and join us as we begin the new year with fresh insights and shared curiosity.
Earlier this month, the TERN Surveillance team hosted a highly successful strategic planning workshop in the iconic Barossa Valley (image shows Pindarie Wines, site of the workshop dinner). Led by Associate Professor Ben Sparrow and our TERN colleagues at Adelaide University, the workshop brought together 34 participants from across TERN’s diverse communities, including Emeritus Professor Megan Lewis from the Science Advisory Committee.
This was the first Surveillance workshop of its kind since 2019, and it provided a rare opportunity to reflect on 15 years of achievement while also looking ahead to the next decade. What stood out most was the clarity of purpose and the willingness of participants to grapple with the hard questions: What does a revisit truly represent? Which measures will matter most as ecosystems continue to change? How do we maintain scientific rigour while ensuring long-term practicality as we transition from network expansion to sustained monitoring?
With Australia’s environments under increasing pressure, the value of TERN’s 1000‑plot surveillance network becomes clearer every year. A decade from now, the continuous, systematically collected in situ record we are building will be irreplaceable, showing what changed, where, and how quickly. Maintaining this record is a responsibility we take seriously, but it is also a privilege to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for Australia.
As many of you are aware, we had hoped to finish the year with news regarding our applications to the Department of Education’s National Data Research Infrastructure (NDRI) funding round. While the outcomes have been delayed, we do expect an announcement in the first quarter of 2026, following the public release of the Government’s Strategic Examination of Research and Development final report. We appreciate your patience and continued support as we await this important decision.
As we close out another productive year for TERN, I extend my sincere thanks to the members of the TERN Advisory Board, the Science Advisory Committee and the TERN Executive Committee. Their thoughtful guidance, strategic insight and steady commitment to TERN’s mission have been invaluable throughout 2025. Strong governance is the backbone of any national research infrastructure, and we are fortunate to have such dedicated experts shaping our direction.
And to our TERN community – thank you once again for your contributions, collaboration and enthusiasm throughout 2025. I wish you a safe and restorative holiday season and I look forward to working with you in the year ahead.
Warm regards
Dr Beryl Morris Director, TERN Australia