10:00am-12:00pm AEST
18 June and 2 July, 2026
Online
5 CPD Points
How might construction become a mechanism to protect and restore our precious ecosystems?
Every time we build, we have an impact on local ecosystems, and with this comes an extraordinary opportunity to protect and restore nature. By choosing where we build, how we build and by committing to support and enhance ecosystems via our projects, we can shift construction from being part of the problem to part of the solution.
Recognising the opportunity for ecology and the value nature brings is the first step, and this course will equip you with the tools and insights you need to pitch for nature, to mobilise strategies for nature, to navigate design with an ecology lens, and to create solutions that embrace both humans and nature as customers.
This is the equivalent of a full day workshop broken up so it can be delivered effectively online. 18 June and 2 July 10am -12pm both dates plus some homework.
Approximately 6-7 hours worth of time is required to complete this course.
Learning outcomes
- Understand what is meant by “nature positive” and its role within the built environment
- Identify and evaluate biodiversity risks and opportunities on and off site
- Understand the opportunity of doing this well
- Explore how to effectively incorporate “nature positive initiatives” into strategic plans
- 5 CPD Points
Learning Level
This master class is an intermediate course, appropriate for those with general knowledge of and/or some experience with the topic. No prerequisite courses or knowledge are required; however, we encourage you to reflect on your experience to date integrating nature with the built environment and to bring to the sessions any questions you may have.
We’ll discuss the key things you need to understand about ecology to be able to advocate and design for it, including:
- An introduction to biodiversity and the term “nature positive” in the context of the built environment
- Understand the ecology of a site including existing ecosystems, connectivity, risks and opportunities
- Familiarise yourself with the Ecology of Place Imperative as part of the Living Building Challenge
- Learn more about the embodied biodiversity impact of building materials
- Insights into mechanisms to protect nature beyond the site
- Explore the role of nature as a key pillar in strategic plans
With the key goal of this course for you to walk away with a suite of nature tools ready to act on today.
Please note, this masterclass will be capped at 30 participants.
Facilitators
Sarah Bekessy
Professor, RMIT
Professor Sarah Bekessy leads the ICON Science research group at RMIT University which uses interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex biodiversity conservation problems. She is particularly interested in understanding the role of human behaviour in conservation, in designing cities to encourage ‘every day nature’ experiences and in defining and measuring ‘nature positive’ development. She co-developed the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design protocol that has now been used by numerous developers, governments and non-government organisations to design innovative urban biodiversity strategies.
Stephanie Sirianni
Founder, Nature Collective
Stephanie is the founder of Nature Collective, a design and consulting practice dedicated to nature-based solutions in the built environment. Nature Collective’s mission is to create cities and communities where nature and biodiversity thrive alongside people. She is a Registered Architect, Mechanical Engineer, Environmental Engineer and Ecological Sustainable Design (ESD) Engineer with over 14 years’ experience in sustainability, innovation and design in the built environment.
Laura Hamilton-O'Hara
CEO, Living Future Oceania
Laura holds a Master’s in Social Ecology and brings two decades of experience in environmental sustainability and social justice, including facilitation across conservation, leadership, sustainability, the built environment and public health. In 2022, she was named one of the 50 Women in Global Sustainability Leadership by Sustainability X Magazine. Laura has held strategic roles at Taronga Zoo, Macquarie University, and the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, and is now CEO of the Living Future Institute of Australia, which champions a socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative built environment.
