queer tales & trails

Canberra Environment Centre's 'Queer Trails and Tales' is a series of six guided nature walks celebrating Canberra’s landscapes, wildlife and biodiversity through a queer lens. Led by local experts, each walk brings together science, storytelling and community to explore the fascinating diversity of the natural world.

  • Bloom with Pride: Hidden Orchids of Black Mountain

    with Dr. Ryan

    There are more orchid species in Canberra alone than there are in the entire United Kingdom. Focusing on one of our most conspicuous geographic landmarks, Black Mountain, this walk will introduce participants to the rich and diverse orchid flora of Australia, along with its fascinating ecology and evolution. 


    Saturday 12 September, 10 - 12pm

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  • Glide with Pride: A Greater Glider Spotlight Walk

    with Tina

    This is a guided evening walk that invites participants to explore the Tallaganda State Forest after dark in search of one of Australia’s most iconic nocturnal marsupials, the Greater Glider. Using spotlight torches, we will scan the canopy for the tell-tale glow of glider eyes as they emerge to feed on eucalyptus leaves and glide silently between trees.

    Saturday 3 October, 6 - 8pm

  • Fairy Fabulous: The Secret Lives of Fairy-wrens

    with Dr. Jenny

    We’ll explore the Australian National Botanic Gardens to find some extra special fairy-wrens. You’ll hear about how – and why – we have been studying these birds for over thirty years, and what we’ve learned about them along the way.

    Saturday 7 November, 8:30am

  • Rooting for Nature: An Introduction to Australia's Remarkable Plants

    with Dr. Ryan

    Shaped by long periods of geographic isolation, nutrient-poor soils, and frequent fires, the Australian flora is truly unique in the world. Amidst the backdrop of the Australian National Gardens, this walk aims to introduce participants to some of the major plant groups found in Australia with a crash course in botanical identification.

    Saturday 21 November, 10am

  • Fish, Frogs & Finding Love: The Hidden Lives of Wetland Wildlife

    with Dr. Diego

    Dive into the hidden world of aquatic life! . Discover how Australian aquatic species in the Jerrabomberra wetlands are responding to threats such as habitat change and invasive species. Along the way, we will also explore the fascinating world of sexual selection and reveal how evolution has shaped the spectacular colours, forms and behaviours that help animals find mates and survive.

    Friday 5 December

  • Wild at Heart: Wildlife of Mulligans Flat

    with Dr. Jenny

    On this walk, explore Australia’s largest single area of Box-gum Grassy Woodland in Mulligan’s Flat. You’ll see and learn about the predator-proof fence, and how this allowed us to reintroduce native Australian critters that have been locally extinct in Canberra since the 1900s.. Along the way, we will spot some of the wonderful wildlife that calls the sanctuary their home, and learn more about the wide range of biodiversity that benefits from sanctuaries like these.

    Feb 6, 8:30 - 10:30am

Queer Trails and Tales is proudly supported by the ACT Government’s Capital of Equality Grants Program

Our Guides

Tina Gopalan

Tina Gopalan is an experienced conservation researcher & enthusiast, with first-class honours research on greater glider diets & hands-on skills in wildlife surveys & animal handling. Currently, she supports sustainability outreach, & taxonomy research & publications at the Canberra Environment Centre and Australian Journal of Taxonomy respectively, alongside animal welfare work at the Domestic Animal Services. She has also worked on immune system trade-offs in guppies, olfactory studies in psyllids, bushfire detection research, New Holland mice conservation programs, & more, which has strengthened her skills in field logistics & ecological research. Whether she is collecting data in the field, analysing information, or helping communicate scientific findings to the public, she is passionate about using research to support practical conservation outcomes & protect Australia’s unique wildlife and ecosystems.

ORCID  |  Instagram  |  LinkedIn

Dr Ryan o’Donnell

Dr. Ryan P. O’Donnell is a mycologist, botanist, and postdoctoral researcher at the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University. Ryan’s research is predominantly focused on the evolution of the Australian orchid flora and its mycorrhizal funga. More broadly, Ryan’s research interests span genomics, systematics, taxonomy, and evolutionary ecology, particularly with respect to the evolution of symbiosis. Before commencing their PhD, Ryan completed a Master of Scientific Studies at the University of New England (UNE), where their research focused on the taxonomy, systematics, and conservation of Australian mintbushes (Prostanthera; Lamiaceae). Prior to their scientific work, Ryan’s experience was in the performing, visual, and creative arts, where they enjoyed separate careers employed as a Conservatorium-trained opera singer and filmmaker.  

DR Diego de Moura Campos

Dr Diego de Moura Campos is a biologist and science educator. Throughout his research career, Diego has explored questions in animal ecology and evolution, investigating how environmental conditions shape the biology and behaviour of animals. During his master’s degree, he studied the dynamics of a fungal disease affecting small poisonous frogs in the Brazilian rainforest. For his PhD, Diego expanded his research into the field of sexual selection, investigating how environmental change influences the development and expression of sexual characteristics in fish. Currently, Diego works as a science and biology teacher in the ACT, where he combines his research experience with his passion for science education.

Dr Jennifer evans

Dr Jenny is an ecologist and evolutionary biologist, focused on conservation genetics and long-term studies of wild animal populations. She completed her PhD at the Australian National University, studying the consequences of inbreeding in two iconic Australian species, the superb fairy-wren and the endangered purple-crowned fairy-wren. Her passion for sharing the world of ecology and genetics has taken her on many adventures, including science festivals, podcast appearances, conference presentations, ecology and genetics workshops, and more. Here in Canberra, she has been involved in the outreach program at Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary, a nature-based learning program to help people discover the biodiversity on their doorstep. She currently works in environmental regulation, combining science and policy to better protect Australia’s environment.