Dr Ruth Young

Ruth Young on Moreton Bay

Growing up on the natural and pristine Kapiti Coast of New Zealand, Ruth developed a passion for ecology.

Questions like “What lives in all those rock pools?”, ” Which birds feed on the flowers of the kowhai and other native trees?” were constantly in her head.

Later in life, inspired by conservationists such as David Attenborough and Jacques Cousteau, she took up a job on Moreton Island, Queensland. She learnt to scuba dive, worked with a pod of wild dolphins and guided whale watching tours.

Convinced that ecology was the path for her, Ruth went to university and completed a PhD specialising in coastal marine ecology.

When not studying ecology she enjoys hiking, sailing, art and reading about how to be a mum – a new situation which has stirred an even stronger interest in conserving our planet for future generations.