Meet the team

Rainforest Reserves Australia is a 100% volunteer operated charity. Our team are committed to our conservation mission and donate their time and expertise for free.

Founding members

Carolyn Emms, President

Carolyn Emms has been involved with revegetation projects since 1990 and has supported many conservation foundations by assisting with the purchase of over 400,000 hectares of land of high conservation value. She has donated towards the establishment of Camden Sounds Sanctuary for Humpback Whales (Kimberley region, Western Australia), Piccaninny Plains (Cape York, Far North Queensland), Edgbaston Reserve (Central Queensland), and Mission Beach rainforest. In 2016, she established Barrine Park Nature Refuge which she is expanding for the Tablelands Cassowary Facility.

Belinda Bogart, Dip Teach, B Ed, M Ed, Dip Special Needs (G&T)

Belinda has recently retired from many years teaching in both primary and secondary settings. Her family has always been involved in community projects, particularly those involved with the preservation of the environment and wildlife. Belinda is currently participating in turtle rehabilitation activities and working as a founding member of Rainforest Reserves Australia, both of which fulfil her desire to do something worthwhile to sustain the environment and help preserve our native wildlife.

Steven Nowakowski

Steven Nowakowski is a widely published nature photographer who specialises in natural history subjects and publications. His self publishing business now distributes globally and fulfils Steven’s desire to convey his love for nature. Apart from photography and publishing, Steven has been active in many environmental issues for most of his life from direct activism to participating on committees of environmental organisations. In 2022, Steven was announced as the recipient of the William T. Cooper Conservation Award by the Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group of the Atherton Tablelands (FNQ) for his tireless conservation work.

Teesha Wellington

Teesha is a passionate conservationist of the Wet Tropics bioregion and provides on-ground and technical support in land management projects within the Wet Tropics. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she began a traineeship with the Department of Environment and Science in their Northern Region Office in 2004. Since then, she has worked in various roles both in DES and more recently in the commercial sector specialising in rehabilitation and biosecurity projects.

Richard Hare, B. Bus, CPA

Richard holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a CPA Member of CPA Australia. He has worked in the Public Practice Accounting industry for the past 26 years; specialising in self-managed superannuation fund advice, taxation and business advisory services. Richard also owns and manages a busy retail business in Edge Hill. He has been involved in many not-for-profit organisations, clubs and associations in the local area and is enjoying being involved with Rainforest Reserves Australia due to its vital work conservation work.

Rosemary Taylor, MPA

Secretary of Rainforest Reserves Australia, Rose completed her MPA at James Cook University in 2016. She and her husband run a small building business in Cairns. Rose is a busy mum of four and in her free time enjoys creative writing and editing. Her family has participated in community tree plantings over the past 10 years. Rose is passionate about Australian conservation and conserving our national assets for future generations.

Phil Emms, founding member

Phil Emms is a regenerative farmer who is passionate about working in with nature for farm biodiversity and soil health. He takes a pragmatic hands-on approach to the development of conservation projects, maintenance and revegetation of tracks and initiates Cassowary inventions which help dehumanize them before their release back to the wild. Prior to selling their business, Carolyn and Phil Emms were committed to environmental outcomes, securing property to set aside land for wildlife. The sale of their business has enabled them to give donations of over $1m towards supporting other conservation groups to purchase ecologically valuable properties for their protection. Phil is proud to be a founding member of Rainforest Reserves Australia.