Queensland Soil Science Graduate and First Nations Engagement Program 2026
Introducing Karyn McWhinney, a 2026 Program Graduate hosted by Southern Qld Landscapes.
Established in 2025, the Queensland Soil Science Graduate and First Nations Engagement Program supports early-career soil scientists through a 12-month placement across Queensland Government and Natural Resource Management organisations. The program aligns with the National Soil Action Plan and Australia’s National Soil Strategy, contributing to soil workforce development and the integration of First Nations and scientific knowledge. Participants will engage in a wide range of training, field work and mentoring in pedology, soil survey techniques, soil conservation, soil fundamentals and soil biology, chemistry and physics. Additionally, the program incorporates traditional soil knowledge and spiritual conservation practices, providing a holistic approach to soil management.
Graduates and rangers are co-hosted within both a Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisation and a Queensland Government agency, engaging in on-the-job experiences complemented by formal training workshops and regular check-ins with a graduate coordinator. Southern Queensland Landscapes has welcomed Karyn McWhinney, one of three graduates selected in 2026. Karyn is a recent Environmental Science graduate from the University of the Sunshine Coast, with a strong technical focus on soil science, water systems, chemistry and GIS. Her studies included extensive laboratory work, spatial and landscape analysis, drone mapping, and advanced field research, complemented by overseas field experience in Borneo and Kruger National Park.
During her time with us, Karyn will assist with the delivery of the National Soil Monitoring Program, supported by SQNNSW Innovation Hub’s Regional Soil Coordinator Cameron Leckie. During her graduate year, Karyn will build core competencies in soil field assessment, sampling, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, soil conservation and GIS, while also working toward accreditation as a Registered Soil Practitioner (RSP – Soil Management). A proud Wiradjuri woman, Karyn brings a diverse professional background and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable land management and community engagement. She has recently relocated to Toowoomba to participate in the program and is a welcome addition to the Southern Queensland Landscapes team.
The program aligns with Australia's National Soil Strategy, which aims to prioritise soil health, empower soil innovation and stewardship and strengthen soil knowledge and capability over the next 20 years. By integrating both western scientific methodologies and traditional knowledge, the program contributes to the strategy's goals by fostering a new generation of soil scientists equipped to manage and improve Australia's soil resources effectively.
