Catherine brings with her a wealth scientific knowledge. As a PhD graduate in behavioural ecology (investigating the private lives of crimson finches), Catherine has over 12 years’ experience as a research biologist including two years with Save the Gouldian Fund and six years on the Australian Bird Study Association committee. Catherine’s research has enabled her to work on a variety of taxa and environments across the world from the UK and South Africa to Australia. Her work within Australia has taken her to the arid zone, seabird islands, the tropical north-west, Sydney, Melbourne and finally to Tasmania (back to the tropics and to Tassie again!).
Outside of guiding, Catherine assists with Tasmanian based research by the Australian National University, Macquarie University and the University of Canterbury (NZ). In addition to this she also holds an Honorary Research Associate position at the University of Tasmania, through which she is involved in a number of projects from Tasmanian devils and quolls to wedge-tailed eagles. This includes her own project, based out of Hobart, monitoring woodland birds and providing training opportunities for researchers.
Catherine is passionate about citizen science and environmental education and is assisting Inala in some exciting new workshops and studies.
"We booked in advance for a day tour with Inala, in our case led by the very experienced and professional guide Dr Catherine Young, which included walking the Inala property, home to a key breeding population of the very rare and endangered Forty-spotted Paradalote. From there Catherine drove us to a numbrer of different birding locations for guided walks, provided refreshements and lunch and was a constant source of useful and informative input for our day. She also indugled us in some touristing, taking us the the LIghthouse where we saw our first White-fronted Chats too. A cracker of a day and so far our highlight experience on Tasmania. I should also mention the ongoing importance of the Inala property to the conservation of the Pardalote, the world needs more businesses and indeed people like these." (Michael Cox - Tripadvisor )
"Everything about it was fantastic. The office team were responsive and attentive during our booking process. Catherine (our guide) is great company and it was a joy to spend long days with her in the wind and rain. Obviously knowledgeable and passionate about the nature, she paced the days to fit our energy levels and interests. Fantastic." ( Tripadvisor )
"My wife and I had a great time visiting the Inala gardens and property, and going further afield with an excellent guide, Catherine, for an evening/night tour (mammals and the little penguin and shearwater rookery) and a morning (1/2 day) tour. Highlights included quolls, a swift parrot, 40 spotted pardalotes and flame robins. Catherine was immensely knowledgeable and a great host." ( Stephen and Zorica Tripadvisor)