We are two thirteen year olds who both have a passion for nature and want to help protect and save the native animals of Australia. We are fascinated by the way eco systems work, plants grow, how birds fly and how fish swim. There are so many wonders awaiting for us out side of that door.
Who we are
Coen is a 13 year-old birder and nature lover from the Dandenong Ranges. When he’s not out birding, Coen co-creates the Next-gen Hills Naturalists podcast, newsletter and blog about nature and the people who protect it. He aims to raise awareness about the problems the environment faces and educate and inspire people to want to protect it.
Find me on iNaturalist and eBird
*What is your favorite animal?
My favourite animal would have to be the Grey Fantail. They are such cute and curious birds
*What do you want to do when you are older?
I would like to work in saving the environment in some way.
*Who do you aspire to?
Sean Dooley, Two Birders Two Bikes, Kirsty Costa, Alex Maisey and Gary Visser.
*what is your favorite colour?
Would have to be an ocean blue.
*whats your favorite movie?
Probably Our Planet with David Attenborough. It’s both inspiring and thought provoking.
*What hobbies do you have?
I am a keen birder. I love doing citizen science. I dabble in plants as well. Apart from that, I play the Drums and Piano , plus I like audio and video editing. I am also part of Friends of Hughes Creek.
Read about Coen’s birding Adventures in the field.
*what is your favorite animal?
I cant really choose, but if I had to it would be a kangaroo and a honey possum
*what do you want to do when you are older?
I want to be a marine biologist and have my own charity, and animal shelter, and make documentaries and have a garlic farm
*who do you aspire to?
I aspire to David Attenborough, Steve Irwin. And my school teachers.
*what is your favorite colour?
Gumleaf grean
*what’s your favorite movie?
Hunt for the Wilder people
*what hobbies do you have?
Gardening, Basketball, muay thai, Painting, guitar, cross country running, my aboriginal identity, animals and honey.
I am a proud Dja Dja Wurrung, Wemba Wemba, Nguraiillum wurrung girl, and I would like to say that we are learning on stolen land that has been cared for, for 65,000 years by the Wurrungeri people of the kulin nation. The land cares for us and it is our job to protect it.
Watch short videos of Eve exploring the bush
We are both very close friends who love being outdoors, watching birds, reading encyclopedias, helping animals and finding out new things.
How we started the Next-gen Hills Naturalists
I (Eve) was thinking of how I could help raise awareness for animals, as I cant make any documentaries or work at an animal shelter (yet). So I pondered about how I could make something public about endangered, near threatened or animals that have a bad reputation, and then I had a brilliant idea! I could make a newsletter that comes out once a month about the animals in the Dandenong Ranges! I knew I couldn’t do this alone so I asked Coen to join me. He was rapt at the idea and soon enough we were editing and creating a website! Coen likes photography and knows a lot about bird watching. He also is good at editing video and audio. I have lots of knowledge on animals and love being outdoors so we make a great team.
Keep up to date with the latest news from the Next-gen Hills Naturalists in The Blog.
Why we are making this website
We are making this website to help raise awareness for the amazing animals around us. Their are too many animals in the Dandenong ranges that have a bad reputation or are nearly extinct. Humans are the number one most populated animal on earth, so we need to use our numbers protect animals across the globe. This starts with everyone creating a friendly environment for the native local animals that have been around the area for thousands of years. Because I think if you can educate people about animals that they are scared of or dislike they will learn to like those animals and protect them. No animal deserves to suffer or die in any way.
By Eve
Check out the Next-gen Hills Naturalists Newsletter
Where is the Dandenong Ranges?
The Dandenong Ranges (or the hills) is a national park about 47 km from Melbourne, Australia. It is a great place for wildlife and nature, with tall forests and lush gullys.
Links
Hosting and backups of this website donated by Ben Pearson
Subscribe to the Next-gen Hills Naturalists Newsletter and Podcast.