Fiona Coates holds an Honours degree and PhD and has worked in the area of applied conservation biology for the Tasmanian and Victorian governments, non-government organisations and at universities. She has a breadth of experience, developed over more than twenty years, including management of threatened species and communities, recovery of vegetation after fire, survey and monitoring, ecology and management of spring wetlands and subalpine peatlands and preparation of recovery plans. Her current interests include environmental dispute resolution and the role of technical specialists in mediating good conservation outcomes.