About Conservation Collaborators

Ty Caling
Director: Conservation Collaborators

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Management)

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)

• Graduate Diploma Regional Community

• Development Diploma of Management

CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE

Program and Project Management: Ty has extensive program and project management experience enabling delivery of major programs and projects on-time, within budget and to high standards. Ty’s involvement as Regional Program Planner – Marine for Parks Victoria ensured Marine National Park Management Plans across eastern Victoria were delivered in accordance with Government commitments – ie. within three years and with an elevated focus on community engagement. Ty’s involvement as District Manager North East with Parks Victoria ensured annual delivery of a multi-disciplinary program of works across parks and reserves, including the Mount Buffalo NP and Alpine NP.

Planning and Strategy:

Ty’s experience in the public and private sector, including involvement in a variety of roles contributing to statewide policy, regional strategy and local action ensures he is able to distil and interpret complex legislation and policy into on-ground action. Similarly, Ty has the capability to ensure policy and strategy are developed with operational consideration, ensuring pragmatism for field operations. Ty has proven knowledge and experience in the planning, coordination, and implementation of fire, emergency, environment, land and water programs and projects, including: marine and coastal management, strategic bushfire planning, forest restoration and park management plans. As an example, in the role of Manager Strategic Bushfire Planning (Otways), Ty led the development of multiple future-fire scenarios where each long-term scenario included different combinations of of risk management treatment options.

Stakeholders were engaged to understand different preferences for each scenario, including areas of agreement or tension. This pilot project enabled adoption of a long-term strategy and underpinned the Barwon South West Strategic Bushfire Plan. Following evaluation, this pilot project also led to future scenario planning techniques being adopted by DEECA statewide for Strategic Bushfire Planning; and later Forest Management Planning.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement:

With post-graduate qualifications in community development, Ty has exceptional skills and experience working collaboratively with community and stakeholders to achieve mutual understanding of issues and meaningful outcomes. As an example, Ty was actively involved for over eight years in working collaboratively with community and stakeholders for a range of issues at Mount Buffalo NP, including reactivation of Mount Buffalo Chalet. This required working through contentious issues and a level of political acumen.

Ty feels a strong connection to land and sea; so assisting Traditional Owners with management of Country is a natural extension of his work. Integrating traditional knowledge and practice with contemporary approaches to land, sea and fire management is a particular interest. Working with Traditional Owners on Country to achieve restoration of rights and redressing past inadequacies is one of Ty’s passions. Continuing to build on the relationships he has established over many years whilst working in government has been deeply fulfilling. Ty has a particular ability and knowledge of how to balance the regulatory needs of government with the principles of traditional custodianship and management of Country. As an example, Ty’s recent role in leading Traditional Owner engagement processes in support of the Independent Panel to the Regional Forest Agreement Major Event Review was a particular highlight.

Leadership and Management:

Ty’s experience as a Senior Manager with Parks Victoria ensured effective development and delivery of the Regional Action Plan. Ty was acknowledged by the People and Culture Directorate as leading exemplary approaches to people leadership and management whilst being noted by internal and external customers as championing integration, collaboration and positive professional relationships. Ty has continued this approach to leadership and management as Managing Director of Conservation Collaborators.

Operational and Technical:

With over 25 years working in protected area, land, fire and emergency management in the public and private sector in Victoria and interstate, Ty has gained considerable operational and technical capabilities in the development and delivery of operational programs and projects, including: threatened species management, pest plant and animal control, catchment and water management; marine and coastal management; native animal management; stock grazing; lease management; environmental research and monitoring; cultural heritage management; tourism and visitor management; partnership development; information, interpretation and education; compliance and enforcement; fire and emergency management; and management planning. This experience ensures Ty is able to engage credibly with a range of stakeholders.

CAREER OVERVIEW

Ty established Conservation Collaborators in 2022, after 18-months working as a sole trader and also as a Life Coach. Ty has always been passionate about bringing people together to achieve conservation outcomes - this ethos now drives the work of Conservation Collaborators.

Conservation Collaborators’ success is closely linked to Ty’s 20+ years of years of varied experience in the public sector - the last eight as a Senior Manager. These roles have included:

• for Parks Victoria: District Manager (leading 35+ people); District Program

• Manager; Regional Program Planner – Marine; Ranger in Charge; Tourism Officer.

• for DEECA: Manager, Strategic Bushfire Planning.

• for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service – Ranger in Charge.

• for Country Fire Authority – Research Officer.

Ty is an accomplished land, environment, water, fire and cultural heritage management professional with over 25-years’ experience in public and private sector. Ty has broad leadership, management and field experience, enabling him to manage projects and programs with complex disciplines. Ty has a strong connection and passion to living and working with land and sea; so, assisting Traditional Owners with management of Country is a natural extension of his work and personal interests. Ty understands the importance of building effective relationships based on trust, respect and rapport in order to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, and has over 20 years’ experience working collaboratively with Traditional Owners across Victoria and Central Queensland.

Ty has a proven track record of achieving horizontal integration with partner organisations and clients; and, vertical integration by translating policy into regional strategic, operational and tactical programs and projects in a changing environment. Ty has proven knowledge and experience implementing the theory and principles for personal and community development and engagement, including group facilitation and adult learning. Ty’s excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills ensures clarity of community for all.