This presentation provides background on a Commonwealth initiative: TERN (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network). The initiative will be discussed in relation to its conception (via the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme), its current status, and the role a regional NQ hub could have. The potential to bring together partners in an independent regional initiative will also be discussed.

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George Lukacs is the Director of ACTFR (Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research) and has been with the centre for over 15 years. His research interests include wetland ecology, irrigation and natural resource management. He is currently Vice-President of the Society of Wetland Scientists (Aust), Board Member of the National Centre for Tropical Wetlands Research (NCTWR), Vice-Chair of the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Board, and as well, serves on several regional, national and international expert and advisory committees.