Cait Symon

Cait brings a background in social science to her Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation studies. She is interested in better understanding how to balance the variety of social and ecological values that the Australian landscape holds; in light of competing agricultural, forestry, and conservation land-use needs.

Having grown up inner-city Melbourne, she used the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic to move to rural Victoria. Cait has had first-hand opportunity to learn about agroecology and how to sustainably and ethically farm pigs. During the Wattle Fellowship, Cait will produce resources for those new to farming using storytelling and communication practices.

Alongside her studies, Cait works as a seasonal firefighter for Forest Fire Management Victoria where she has learnt the importance of fire in land management.

Her hobbies include hiding her city-kid upbringing by making food from scratch, getting handy with power tools and waving at strangers.