Our Story
Apunga Ecological Management is a privately owned and operated business specialising in natural area management, bush regeneration, landscape rehabilitation and native revegetation in Sydney and surrounding areas.
Established in 2005, it draws together passionate qualified professionals in order to develop and deliver best practice.
What began as a small team has grown into a thriving social enterprise with over 70 staff working across the Greater Sydney Basin. While our capabilities have expanded, our purpose remains the same: to care for Country through high-quality, science-informed environmental restoration.
Our Mission
To promote native ecosystems and balance whilst restoring biodiversity
To promote connection with nature and conservation principles
To provide the highest standards of advice and services
To provide value for money while exceeding industry and environmental standards
To minimise resource use and waste and maximise the use of recycled materials
To educate to promote a sustainable future
To connect you with your garden by creating beautiful native outdoor living spaces
To create an educating, nourishing, inclusive and progressive work environment for staff
Our Team
Apunga Ecological Management (AEM) currently has a team of highly qualified, passionate employees with comprehensive ecological management skills and extensive experience in most vegetation communities present in the greater Sydney region.
AEM personnel have comprehensive experience in a broad range of bush regeneration and restoration works, weed control, landscaping, major revegetation projects, bushfire asset protection zone management, erosion control works and seed collection. In addition to on-ground works, AEM provides a range of consultant services including GIS vegetation mapping, Bushland Management Plan formulation, flora/fauna surveys and environmental education activities. With a deeply held care for conserving and restoring the natural environment, AEM staff take great pride and dedication in all works undertaken, which shows in the level of service we provide and the outcomes achieved on ground.
Apunga Ecological Management (AEM) has a team of highly qualified, passionate employees with comprehensive ecological management skills and extensive experience in most vegetation communities present in the greater Sydney region.
Apunga Management Team
Max
Stettner
Co-Director
After completing a bachelor in Environmental Science, Max did 12 months of volunteer work for an NGO in Ecuador. Between 2002-05 he worked as a bush regenerator and ecological consultant across Sydney, founding AEM in 2005. In 2017, Max partnered with Dave LeBreton to further AEM's positive impact on flora and fauna.
Dave
Le Breton
Co-Director
Starting his bush regeneration career in 2003, Dave joined what was a small team at AEM in 2008. As AEM expanded, Dave moved into a managing role and in 2017 became a partner, sharing the role of leading the company with AEM founder Max as a co-director. With over 30,000 hours of field experience, Dave has worked in all major vegetation communities across the Sydney basin.
Liam
Bradley
General Manager
Liam joined AEM in 2015 and progressed through crew and supervisor roles to the General Manager position, responsible for the day to day operations of AEM. Liam has a Diploma in Conservation & Land Management, along with a raft of other qualifications and has worked sites across Sydney, with highlights including rope access work on the clifftops on the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk.
Vanessa
Patterson
Nursery Manager
Vanessa started bush regeneration work in 2007, joining AEM in 2008. In 2017, AEM opened its native nusery and Vanessa was appointed as the nursery manager. Her duties include seed collection, plant propagation, weed & pest control and sales & marketing. Vanessa has a Cert III in Conservation & Land Management.
Clancy
Derum
Operations Manager
Clancy has over 6 years industry experience, including over 4 years as a permanent site supervisor for contracts in Waverly, Inner West, Hornsby, Ryde and Bayside councils across a wide range of vegetation communities. Holding a Cert III in Conservation & Land Management and currently studying in the diploma course, Clancy holds chainsaw, rope access, chemical application qualifications.
Rosie
Clayton
Assistant General Manager
Rosie started joined AEM in 2019, working as a team member, supervisor and now assistant general manager. Rosie has a Cert III in Conservation & ecosystem management and is currently studying the diploma. Rosie is IRATA Level 1 ropes course qualified and also has a chainsaw, Chemcert & First Aid certificates. Rosie also oversees a volunteer Bushcare group in Bronte.
Apunga Supervisors
Matthew
Reynolds
Site Supervisor
Matte has been employed with AEM for over 10 years and has a range of experience in diverse vegetation communities from Cumberland Plain Woodland, Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest to Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub. Practical and mechanically minded, Matte is a highly valued site supervisor.
Kim
Davies
Site Supervisor
Kim has been with AEM for several years, working as a crew member and currently in a site supervisor role.
Sonya
Herasemiuk
Site Supervisor
Sonya started her bush regeneration career in 2014 when she joined the dynamic crew at AEM. Working all around Sydney, she soon developed a passion for all aspects of regen. Sonya holds a range of qualifications, including a Cert III in Conservation & Land Management, Chemcert, First Aid, White Card and is currently enrolled in the CLM Diploma course.
Paul
Thistlethwaite
Site Supervisor
Paul began his career in the bush regeneration industry in 2015 with Terra Australis and Total Earth Care, before joining AEM. Paul has been a NPWS Bushcare volunteer at their Bantry Bay site in Garigal NP, for the past 9 years and he is now the volunteer site co-ordinator. Paul holds a Cert III in Conservation & Land Management, along with Chemcert and Chainsaw ticket.
Tim
Withers
Site Supervisor
Tim has been involved in the environmental conservation industry since 1999 and has worked for a number of bush regeneration contractors. Joining AEM in 2021, Tim has a wealth of experience in Cumberland Plain and Sydney Sandstone vegetation. Experienced in GIS mapping and plant propagation, Tim managed 2 native plant nurseries for over 10 years.
Daniel
Lethlean Higson
Site Supervisor
Dan has worked in the bush regeneration industry for 7 years and joined AEM 5 years ago after completing a Diploma of Horticulture. Dan is currently studying for a Diploma of Conservation & Ecosystem Management.
Join The Team
A career in bush regeneration is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Working in the great outdoors, you spend your days interacting with plants to protect our vibrant, native bushland. At Apunga Ecological Management, you will be part of a colourful team of people who are all passionate about regenerating Sydney’s wild spaces. We’re a friendly and professional bunch, coming from all walks of life and we look forward to meeting new members of our Apunga family.
Expressions Of Interest
Are you interested in a career with Apunga Ecological Management but you aren’t qualified or there are no current positions advertised?
You are welcome to submit a job enquiry and someone from our team will be in touch.