Cherese Sonkkila

Science writer, socio-ecology researcher and nature nerd.

Naarm. She/her

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

1⃣ #nature makes us feel😌🙂👩‍🎨 – research has shown. But we’re still figuring out exactly why, and what other factors there are. So I decided to see if COOL NATURE FACTS™ make us enjoy nature more.
#SCBMelb21

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

I'm MCing this nature story slam next month! Come tell a WILD story?

[Remember The Wild @RTW_Aus]

Join us at the #VicNatureFest in September for our first #OpenMic night!

A #StorySlam of the wildest, true tales of nature, people, and the connections in between. MC’d by science communicator and comedian, Cherese Sonkkila!

Grab your free tickets now: https://t.co/1dJ2aqgksd

[Remember The Wild @RTW_Aus]

It's such a good time of year for a #fungiforay!

Our very own @ckkila recently went on a walk led by MYCOmmunity, fungi awareness and #citizenmycology group. The #fungi of Mount Macedon are #stunning: from sewerage-smelling mushrooms to wild enoki!

🍄https://t.co/DKvSdBUumD

[Remember The Wild @RTW_Aus]

The #AustralianFurSeal is the pioneer of the #doubledoona approach for winter 😴.

#furseals have two layers of fur, an outer layer of guard hairs, and an underfur that keeps them warm! They also have cute external ears. #nature is so smart. #TIL

📸: Instagrammer photosbyhannah

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

It was such a delight to get to chat to @corey_tutt about this fascinating illustrated book of First Nations science! Highly recommend this. (The book, and also chatting to Corey)

[Remember The Wild @RTW_Aus]

Have you got your copy of #TheFirstScientists yet?
You'll want one after you read this, our interview with author and @DeadlyScience founder, @corey_tutt! https://t.co/tLM3SY1glS
Written by @ckkila
#STEM #Indigenousscience #FirstScientists #Indigenousknowledge #primarySTEMchat

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

@meaghan_garvey I just want you to know that I still think about this tweet from when I read it five years ago. Its a masterpiece.

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

As delighted to be out of lockdown as I am to see these friends! (I yelled at my phone with happy-surprise)

[Mikaeylah Davidson @microbemik.bsky.social @MicrobeMik]

Good morning 🐸

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

@DavidjManey Sloth. Except for when I order coffee. "Chelsea" is a sleuth for sure.

[A/Prof Jen Martin @scidocmartin.bsky.social @scidocmartin]

I’m seriously excited about the new podcast my @UniMelbscicomm team has just launched and I’d LOVE you to listen and share 🙏

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

This supporter program's been a long time coming! If you love #nature, #birds, or #me, you should probably join so that we (including me), can make more awesome nature docos/content/events. Please help us connect people to nature, and help me become the next #davidattenborough. x

[Remember The Wild @RTW_Aus]

Remember The Wild is excited to launch our supporter program today!

We invite you to actively help us create a shift in the way people value nature, by donating as little as the cost of a cuppa a month!
Become a Friend of The Wild today!
https://t.co/43aIOPUvSQ
#natureconnection

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

@KristinaJMac Typical! #mammalbias

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

Thanks @KristinaJMac for that great presentation - it's clear how much of a problem🦊are to our wildlife. I wish you luck with your extensive field work! Now to questions: i didn't realise foxes ate lizards and frogs - do we know if they prefer them or mammals?
#SCBMelb21

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

@BrenWintle Ooft, I don't like those odds. Love my local grassy woodland Royal Park! What a stunning ecosystem.

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

@KristinaJMac Ah okay! So it could be less about preference and more just availability / our ability to know what they've eaten.

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

Our final presentation for this session and all of #SCBMelb21 is Kristina Macdonald
@KristinaJMac
! Her absolute fav animal is the Mokopirirakau, the New Zealand Cascade Gecko!

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

Great presentation @vishnumenon94! Fascinating to have more insight on this area that we need better understanding of. To kick off questions - do you have any thoughts as to why cat numbers doubled in fox-baited areas?
#SCBMelb21

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

Really fascinating work @matt_w_rees on how our native species use vegetation for cover differently! To start off questions: why do you think different species prefer different vegetation to hide in?
#SCBMelb21

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

Nexxxxt up in this session of #SCBMelb21 is Vishnu R Menon @vishnumenon94, a PhD Candidate at @qaecology at @UniMelb. His favourite animal is the African Wild Dog which can reach speeds of 44 miles per hour #funfact

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

Let’s kick off session 6 with a presen-tweet-ion (haha) from Matthew Rees @matt_w_rees, phd Candidate at @qaecology at @unimelb, and lover of the colourful Richmond birdwing butterfly. #SCBMelb21

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

Thanks @BrenWintle for delivering LOLs (DUH!) in your excellent commentary on Australia’s neglect of our #biodiversity! And for the reminder to maintain hope! Starting off questions: what ecosystems are the most under threat at the moment? Or is it just… all of them?
#SCBMelb21

[Cherese Sonkkila @ckkila]

And now, the final plenary for #SCBMelb21, it is a pleasure to introduce Prof Brendan Wintle @BrenWintle ! Director of NESP TSR Hub @arc_gov_au and Future Fellow & #Conservation #Ecologist at @unimelb. He's also a big fan of the Greater Glider - who wouldn't be with those ears?