The fun and games at the end of 2025 re-energised the TERN team and one month into the new year, we are already immersed in delivering our 2026 program.
We trust this message finds you well – we are acutely aware that many in our community have faced challenging conditions over the summer period. We’ve already had devastating floods and relentless rainfall in the north, tragic bushfires threatening southern and western regions and punishing heatwaves across much of the continent. This summer has reminded us once again of the dynamic and sometimes harsh nature of the Australian environment we study.
To everyone who has been affected by these extreme weather events, please know that our thoughts are with you. I hope you, your families, and your communities are safe and recovering.
These conditions have also tested our field infrastructure. I want to acknowledge the dedication of our team members who’ve been out checking on TERN installations during these difficult times. We know fires encroached on TERN infrastructure and our community’s essential research sites, such as the Australian Mountain Research Facility around Falls Creek.
So far, we’re cautiously optimistic that impacts may be limited to the level of soot on sensors rather than more serious damage, though assessments are ongoing. It may take longer to look at some sites because whether flood or fire, access becomes difficult, sometimes for many months. The commitment by our ecosystem community stationed across the country to maintaining our monitoring capacity, even under challenging circumstances, exemplifies the resilience of the TERN community.
Despite the turbulent start to the year, we have some excellent content to share in this first newsletter of 2026. You’ll find an article showcasing TERN’s field innovation, highlighting the creative approaches our researchers are taking to ecological monitoring. There is a delightful reflection by TERN’s Maddie Goddard on the need to look at the integrated big picture when estimating benefits of mangroves. Looking forward, we’re seeking your input on the exposure draft summarising outcomes from the TERN 2025 survey of ecosystem research directions. This survey captured our ecological community’s perspectives on research directions through to 2035, and your feedback on the draft will help shape TERN’s strategic priorities. Please take the time to review and comment.
We’re also delighted this month to shine the spotlight on long-term TERN participant, Wayne Meyer. The retrospective looks at what Professor Wayne Meyer has achieved over TERN’s lifespan at the Calperum mallee SuperSite in South Australia – a wonderful opportunity to reflect not only on the long-term value of sustained ecological observation but also an opportunity to recognise Wayne’s multi-decadal contributions to an incredibly important field of earth science.
Mark your calendars for 4 February, when we’ll host the first of our bimonthly webinars. This session will explore the role of oases in supporting biodiversity, culture, and ecosystems – timely given the replenishment of many of our freshwater wetlands following the deluges many regions are currently experiencing.
We know many of you are anxious for news from the NCRIS Program front about infrastructure funding. We remain hopeful that an announcement on the National Data Research Infrastructure outcomes will be this quarter.
Wishing you all a productive and safe start to 2026.
Beryl