Amelia Wenger is a marine conservation scientist with 13 years of professional experience in coral reef conservation and water pollution management. She specialize in translating complex science into practical tools and decision-support systems that inform conservation action and policy at multiple scales. She currently leads the Wildlife Conservation Society’s global Water Pollution Program, where she supports the co-development of strategic approaches to pollution assessment, monitoring, and management across multiple countries.
{###Amelia Wenger###Dr.###Australian###Female###Wildlife Conservation Society###Water Pollution Program Lead}
Short Bio
I am a marine conservation scientist with 13 years of professional experience in coral reef conservation and water pollution management. I specialize in translating complex science into practical tools and decision-support systems that inform conservation action and policy at multiple scales.
I currently lead the Wildlife Conservation Society’s global Water Pollution Program, where I support the co-development of strategic approaches to pollution assessment, monitoring, and management across multiple countries. I actively contribute to global forums and dialogues on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Over the past several years, my work has been focused on how to better integrate the conservation and sanitation sectors, and I excel in building cross-sector partnerships between conservation, sanitation, public health, and development to ensure holistic and scalable solutions. I was a founding member of the Ocean Sewage Alliance and served on their inaugural steering committee. I am also an active participant of the Climate Resilient Sanitation Coalition.
I am also a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, advancing interdisciplinary research on the intersection of pollution, climate, and ecosystem resilience. In this role, I served as the Deputy Director for Policy and Industry engagement for the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science.
Motivation/Commitment to the GSC
I am a strong advocate for the fundamental role sanitation plays in protecting both people and planet. I am deeply engaged in connecting new partners and voices to the sanitation sector and I believe my background provides a unique perspective as the sector transforms in the face of climate change and resource scarcity. Having served on two steering committees during key transition periods, I understand the challenges of staying open, inclusive, and sustainable. I would like to bring those lessons to SuSanA to help guide its evolution and help strengthen its role as an inclusive, collaborative, and enduring global platform.
Is there anything else you would like to say to the SuSanA community?
You might not expect a coral reef ecologist to be so knowledgeable about sanitation. But it was through SuSanA and the resources available that I was able to learn, upskill, and understand the inner workings of the sector. I’m committed to helping ensure SuSanA remains a vibrant, inclusive, and practical space where others can learn, connect, and contribute just as I have.
