Ben Scheele

Research Director (Ecology)

Dr Ben Scheele is an ecologist who joined the Sustainable Farms team in 2020. Over the last 13 years, he has worked in a variety of roles, as a researcher and with government, in south-eastern Australia investigating how to enhance biodiversity in farmland. His primary focus has been on frogs, but he is interested in all wildlife, as well as grazing systems management.

When it comes to enhancing biodiversity in farmland, Ben believes a key challenge is identifying management strategies that will create a win-win for biodiversity and farm productivity. He is closely involved with the farm dams research project, which is examining how to improve farm dams to support increased biodiversity values and water quality, and subsequently livestock productivity.

Ben loves being outside and grew up spending many of his weekends visiting his family’s farm. Across the board, he is keen to see greater recognition of the importance of farmland for wildlife, and increased support for improving farmland sustainability.