Knowledge & learning

At the Healthy Forests Foundation, we’re committed to sharing sound, evidence-based science. But with so much information out there, how can you tell which research is reliable?

Good science is built on transparent methods, peer review, and clearly reported results. Reliable studies usually explain how data were collected, use recognised analysis techniques, and are published in reputable journals. They focus on what the evidence shows—not just what the authors or their colleagues believe.

It’s important to be cautious of papers that lean heavily on personal opinions, quote mostly from the authors’ own networks, or make big claims not supported by the results. A strong discussion should reflect the data—not go beyond it.

In this section, we highlight key scientific papers that align with our mission. Each summary breaks down what the research found, why it matters, and how it contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future for our forests.

Want to dive deeper? We always link to the original sources so you can explore them yourself.

While peer-reviewed research is essential, everyday Australians also play a vital role in building our scientific knowledge. Through citizen science, volunteers contribute valuable data that helps researchers track species, monitor ecosystems, and understand the impacts of change over time.

Projects like Moth Tracker from Zoos Victoria invite people to record sightings of the Bogong moth, a crucial seasonal food source for the endangered mountain pygmy-possum. Community observations help scientists understand where and when these moths are flying.

In South Australia, the Echidna CSI project gathers sightings and scat samples from across the country, using public input to map echidna populations and investigate their health.

For those exploring forests and other natural areas, platforms like iNaturalist Australia and the Atlas of Living Australia allow anyone to contribute biodiversity sightings—from gum trees and wildflowers to fungi and forest birds. These records support conservation research and help track changes across landscapes over time.

Citizen science makes research stronger and more inclusive. At the Foundation, we value these contributions—they help us understand our forests in richer, more grounded ways.

We use artificial intelligence (AI) as a smart, supportive tool – not a substitute for human judgement. AI helps us work more efficiently by editing our writing for clarity, summarising lengthy research, and suggesting structure for our content. But it doesn’t replace our people or our process.

We don’t rely on AI to pull content freely from the internet. Instead, we give it trusted sources – including our research library, expert partners, and internal materials – so that anything it helps create is grounded in evidence. Every piece of AI-assisted writing is carefully reviewed by our team, with sources checked and final decisions made by us.

This helps us stay focused on what matters: using science and knowledge to care for Country.

You can read more about how we use AI here