Botanist

As a botanist, Nita is a tropical waterlily and brigalow ecosystem specialist.

She is a practicing Queensland Government botanist, consulting botanist for Myall Park Botanic Garden and for a number of brigalow and western Queensland projects including Origin Energy offset programmes.

Winner of the Elaine Brough Bursary [Queensland Government and Department of Primary Industries]. Board member of a number of boards including Keep Australia Beautiful. Recently selected as one of the 100 women leaders in Agribusiness [March 2014].

Author of a number of research articles plus two editions of ‘Woodland to Weeds’ a text used by universities, mining exploration companies and land holders. Features plant species of the southern Queensland Brigalow Region.

Specialist educational programmes such as Save a Species. Additionally, coordinator of the Brigalow Birds Educational Project.

Guest speakers for numerous community and government groups. Key note speaker for the recent launch of Gardens for Wildlife, Queensland Garden Expo

Guest presentations at Queensland Garden Expo

Gardens for Wildlife Left: Mr Rodney Kerr, Dr Nita C Lester, Mr Eric Anderson

Extensive research conducted into the habit and propagation of the pink Nymphaea gigantea [Nymphaea gigantea var. neorosa] and Acacia wardellii. Nita is proactive in the preservation and conservation of Australian biodiversity both flora and fauna.

Images copyright: Nita C Lester

Nymphaea gigantea [Nymphaea gigantea var. neorosa]

Nymphaea gigantea pink [Nymphaea gigantea var. neorosa]