Laura Schmid (she/her)

Laura is studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Victoria University and works in a garden nursery to deepen her knowledge of native plants. She is also a volunteer firefighter with her local CFA. Her work in the 2019 and 2020 bushfires earned her an Emergency Service Medal.

After falling for gang-gang cockatoos, Laura gave much of her block over to native plants that feed local wildlife. She dreams of turning suburban nature strips into habitat for the birds, bees and other life that has no voice.

As a Wattle Fellow, she wants to build a wildlife program that brings children and adults together, from kindergarten to high school. It will teach the next generation where their food comes from and how to care for it.

On any given day, you might find Laura knee-deep in a garden or cooking for 400 people.