About Us - AusFlora Research

Our Story

Founded in 1998 by Dr. Margaret Thornfield and Professor James Windham, AusFlora Research began as a small field station in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. What started as a passion project to document rare orchid species has evolved into Australia's leading independent botanical research institute.

Our journey began when Dr. Thornfield discovered an unknown subspecies of Pterostylis during her doctoral research. This finding sparked a lifelong dedication to uncovering the hidden treasures of Australian flora. Over the past 25 years, our team has documented over 150 previously unknown plant varieties and contributed to the conservation of 40 endangered species.

Today, AusFlora Research operates three field stations across different climate zones - from the temperate forests of Victoria to the arid landscapes of Western Australia. Our multidisciplinary approach combines traditional botanical methods with cutting-edge genetic analysis and ecological modeling to understand and protect Australia's unique plant heritage.

Our Mission & Values

Guiding principles that drive our botanical research and conservation efforts

Conservation First

We prioritize the preservation of endangered Australian plant species through research, habitat protection, and community education initiatives.

Scientific Excellence

Our research follows the highest scientific standards, contributing peer-reviewed publications and advancing botanical knowledge globally.

Community Engagement

We believe in sharing knowledge and involving local communities in conservation efforts to ensure lasting environmental protection.

Meet Our Team

Dedicated botanists and researchers leading Australian plant conservation

Dr. Margaret Thornfield

Founder & Director

Leading botanist with 30 years of experience in Australian flora research. Specializes in orchid taxonomy and endangered species conservation programs.

Professor James Windham

Co-founder & Research Head

Expert in plant genetics and molecular biology. Leads our genetic diversity studies and climate adaptation research projects across Australia.

Dr. Isabella Cavendish

Field Research Coordinator

Coordinates field expeditions and habitat surveys. Specializes in rare plant population studies and ecological restoration techniques.

Dr. Benjamin Ashworth

Conservation Biologist

Develops and implements conservation strategies for threatened plant species. Expert in seed banking and propagation techniques.

Our Achievements

Significant contributions to Australian botanical science and conservation

Research Milestones

🔬 Discovered 47 new plant species across Australia
📚 Published 180+ peer-reviewed scientific papers
🏆 Received Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Biodiversity Research
🌱 Successfully propagated 23 critically endangered species
🗺️ Created comprehensive flora databases for 15 national parks

Conservation Impact

🌿 Helped reclassify 12 species from 'Critically Endangered' to 'Vulnerable'
🏞️ Restored 3,500 hectares of native plant habitats
👥 Trained over 200 conservation volunteers and researchers
🤝 Partnered with 35+ universities and research institutions
📖 Developed educational programs reaching 50,000+ students

What Our Partners Say

Testimonials from collaborators and conservation organizations

"AusFlora Research's work has been instrumental in our understanding of Western Australian orchid conservation. Their meticulous field work and genetic studies have provided crucial data for our protection programs."

Rachel Morrison

Conservation Director, Botanic Gardens Australia

"The collaboration with AusFlora has elevated our botanical research capabilities significantly. Their expertise in rare plant propagation has helped us establish successful breeding programs for endangered species."

Professor David Hartwell

Head of Botany, University of Melbourne

"AusFlora's community engagement programs have been transformative for our local conservation efforts. They've helped train our volunteers and provided scientific backing for our habitat restoration projects."