Richard Thackway

Richard Thackway is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University (ANU). With a Master of Science (Environmental Studies, ANU, 1985) and Bachelor of Science (Resource and Ecology, University of Canberra, 1980), he focuses on landscape transformation driven by land use and management practices. His work integrates remote sensing and ecological monitoring to assess ecosystem function, structure, and composition.

Key research areas include regenerative landscape management, sustainable rangeland/forest use, and tracking impacts of invasive species (e.g., feral animals in NSW) or agricultural practices (e.g., herbicide spray drift). He has led national initiatives such as Australia's biogeographic regions framework, National Reserve Systems, and National Vegetation Information System.

Recent research emphasizes using AI (e.g., U-Net neural networks for vegetation mapping) and remote sensing to analyze land cover dynamics. His work supports decision-makers in developing systems to monitor ecological outcomes through response indicators and soil-landscape chronologies.

Collaborations span government agencies, NGOs, and universities, with projects in Kosciuszko National Park, the Lower Snowy River area, and defense estates. Outputs include frameworks like VAST-2 for vegetation condition tracking and protocols for national environmental accounting.