Dr Lucy Commander
Research Manager
Alcoa of Australia

Lucy Commander is a research leader, knowledge broker, and restoration seed ecologist with more than 2 decades of experience advancing native plant conservation, mine rehabilitation and ecological restoration in Western Australia. As research manager at Alcoa, she oversees the Forest Research Centre and leads a multidisciplinary team delivering co-designed research to improve environmental management and mine rehabilitation in the Northern Jarrah Forest, just south of Perth in Western Australia.

Commencing with work experience at a mineral sands mine, followed by a fourth year project at a mine in the Kimberley, Lucy’s career has taken her from mines in Shark Bay to the Pilbara and mid-west. Her career spans roles across academia, government, industry, and the not-for-profit sector, including long-standing affiliations with The University of Western Australia, the Australian Network for Plant Conservation, the Society for Ecological Restoration and Kings Park Science. Lucy has played a central role in shaping national best-practice guidelines, serving as lead editor for the Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants and managing the update of the Florabank Guidelines for native seed collection and use.

Beyond her formal roles, Lucy is deeply committed to connecting people with nature and strengthening the science–practice interface. She has organised major events such as the Alcoa Environmental Research Symposium, regularly lectures on restoration ecology, and presents at conferences and community events. With a blend of scientific rigour, collaborative leadership, and community engagement, Lucy continues to champion evidence-based approaches that support resilient ecosystems and inspire others to care for the natural world.