TIM CRONIN

My passion for species was borne out of growing up on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour, and getting lost and causing mischief in the bushland. As a kid, it felt like my own little patch of Borneo or the Amazon … especially when I’d climb over the fence into Taronga Zoo. 

I’ve spent the past decade working on issues related to the conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems. I was based in Asia for more than four years – primarily in Indonesia and China – and it was here that I became fascinated by the complex relationship between conservation and development. One thing I’ve learned is that these two things are not mutually exclusive. 

I have the pleasure and privilege of helping WWF to protect some of the world's most incredible, yet vulnerable, species - from the majestic tigers and orangutans of Southeast Asia, to our very own rock-wallabies, little-known nabarleks and threatened marine turtles.  

What fascinates me is the breadth of work this involves. To halt and reverse the complex problem of species decline we need to connect ever-improving science in-the-field with decisions that are being made in boardrooms and parliaments many miles away.