Interview with Stacey Thomson – AKA Ranger Stacey!

Position: Environment and Education Team 

Organisation: Redland City Council 

One-liner:  Icon on environmental education TV, Ranger Stacey leads us along her career trail!

We are a country with rich indigenous history and culture. I believe it’s important that elders and leaders can share their knowledge and stories with the wider community so that we can all gain a greater insight into our First Nation peoples’ strong connection to the land. We all need to listen in order to understand!  

What did your average day look like as a ranger and a full time television host?

Grace, Moranbah SHS 

An average day was spent filming in the great outdoors to showcase unique ecosystems and create awareness and appreciation for our wildlife. It often involved getting up close with animals to show adaptations and natural behaviours. The main message… we can all play a part in conservation! 

What happens at IndigiScapes?  

STEM Girl Power 

Indigiscapes is an Environmental Education Centre at Capalaba on the Redlands Coast. Visitors can explore the Discovery Centre, learn about how to live more sustainably, check out the native botanic gardens and walk the bush trails. I saw a koala in a scribbly gum just the other day!  

What’s your usual day or week like now at Redland City Council? This doesn’t sound like an office job!  

STEM Girl Power 

My job with Redland City Council is a wonderful balance of office and the outdoors. I use my presentation skills and public profile to engage and educate the community about the environment, as well as the positive projects happening throughout the Redlands Coast. I use various mediums – radio, television, social media and face to face encounters. 

Why do you think it is important to address the challenges of, and harness future opportunities for Reconciliation, to support Indigenous leaders and their knowledge, and to ‘Close the Gap’?  

Lauren, Southport SHS, Gold Coast

We are a country with rich indigenous history and culture. I believe it’s important that elders and leaders can share their knowledge and stories with the wider community so that we can all gain a greater insight into our First Nation peoples’ strong connection to the land. We all need to listen in order to understand!

What is the key to preserving the earth, its environments, and its inhabitants?  

Grace, Kirwan SHS, Townsville 

It is about realising we only have one earth, and it is up to each and every one of us to tread lightly. That means making small changes to our everyday lives like saying to no to plastic, planting more trees, or reducing litter and pollution.  

How did you make sure the environmental messages and information was coming across clear to kids when you worked on Wombat, Agro’s Cartoon Connection and Totally Wild?

STEM Girl Power

I’ve witnessed many unforgettable things throughout my career… marine turtles laying eggs on Cape York Peninsula, field research into Tassie devil facial tumour disease in Tasmania, a baby giraffe being born, a tiny hairless wombat joey inside its mum’s pouch, giant saltwater crocs in the wild … it’s impossible to choose just one thing! 

Why are our national parks so important to protect?  

STEM Girl Power

Our national parks protect precious natural ecosystems and preserve biodiversity for the future. These areas are a sanctuary for native fauna and flora. They’re also spectacular places for us to visit and connect with nature.   

What are the most important things to remember when talking to the community about science?  

STEM Girl Power

We need to remember that science is cool and can be fun when communicated in an engaging way. Scientific principles can be applied to so many aspects of our everyday lives. It’s not about bamboozling others with our scientific knowledge, but sparking an interest or fascination!  

Bio

Stacey Thomson’s career pathway epitomises how a STEM career journey and passion for nature can lead you to many different opportunities.   

After graduating from Queensland Agricultural College she landed her dream job as a National Parks and Wildlife Ranger – becoming the Ranger Stacey we all know and love for eight years, before this work led her into a full-time role on Australian television.   

Stacey is well known for three decades presenting and producing environmental stories on Wombat, Agro’s Cartoon Connection and Totally Wild, as well as hosting natural history documentaries. A career highlight was when she worked alongside Steve Irwin co-hosting Croc Week Live on Animal Planet.  

In April 2021, Stacey joined the Environment and Education team at Redland City Council based at IndigiScapes, where she continues to champion conservation and inspire a new generation to connect with nature.