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John Read
John Read
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John Read

Arid Recovery Project

Roxby Downs, South Australia AUS

"You can see something as a threat, but also as an opportunity."

Career Roadmap

John's work combines: Entrepreneurship, Environment & Nature, and Upholding a Cause and Belief

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Day In The Life

Co-Founder/Ecologist

I research, monitor, and manage fauna and environmental impacts in the Australian arid zone.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Zoology/Animal Biology

    University of Adelaide, Australia

  • Doctorate

    Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

    University of New England

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Grew up interested in playing outside, exploring rocks, catching lizards-says he just never really "grew up."

  • 2.

    Went to school to study geology but discovered that rocks "really weren't his thing," he preferred animals.

  • 3.

    Did a project studying the effect of a mining operation on an ecosystem and decided to start getting into conservatism.

  • 4.

    Says that white Australians' lack of understanding of the land led to overgrazing, introduction of species that were harmful to the environment.

  • 5.

    At the Arid Recovery Project, they purged a piece of land of all foreign species and started restoring it to its original state.

  • 6.

    The property has already started to recover; he estimates that in 20-30 years, it'll be back to its natural condition.

  • 7.

    Grew up in a city in Australia and now lives in the remote Outback, but he calls the move "liberating," rather than intimidating.

  • 8.

    Doesn't think he's where he's at "for good," he sees his life continually changing and estimates he'll still make big changes down the line.