One of Margaret River’s move dedicated environmentalists Lauren Scanlon has died, leaving behind a legacy that will be “felt for generations”.
Lauren was a long-serving and deeply respected member of Nature Conservation Margaret River, who dedicated her career to connecting people with nature and inspiring future generations to care for the environment.
Lauren was known around Margaret River as the face of NCMRR’s Our Patch environmental education program and had guided thousands of Year 3 and Year 6 students through hands-on experiences, helping a countless number of students foster a lifelong appreciation for the natural world
Lauren also led the Friends of Wooditjup Bilya community stewardship program, nurturing a passionate volunteer network which came together each month to restore and care for the Wooditjup Bilya (Margaret River) through planting, watering and weeding activities.
NCMRR’s western ringtail possum conservation program was also led by Lauren, and last month, she successfully co-ordinated the inaugural Together With Nature tree planting festival, bringing hundreds of community members together to restore the river foreshore in a powerful celebration of nature and community.
Nature Conservation Margaret River Region chief executive Aaron Jaggar said Lauren’s influence would continue to be felt for generations.
“Lauren devoted her life to caring for nature and helping others discover a meaningful connection with it,” he said.
“Thousands of local children experienced the wonder of the natural world because of Lauren.
Through her patience, enthusiasm and genuine care, she inspired young people to become custodians of the places we all love.
Mr Jaggar said Lauren helped build an incredible community around conservation in the region.
“Whether she was working alongside volunteers on the banks of the Wooditjup Bilya, restoring habitat for threatened species or bringing people together through community events, Lauren had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued and capable of making a difference,” he said.
“Her passion, kindness and quiet determination have shaped our organisation and our community in immeasurable ways.
“She will be profoundly missed by all of us.”
Lauren dedicated more than two decades to working with young people, from classrooms to forests and wild landscapes, believing children and nature were natural partners.
She held an honours degree in environmental science and a postgraduate qualification in education and combined her scientific knowledge with a gift for inspiring curiosity and care for the natural world.
Known for nurturing not only the natural environment but also the people around her, Lauren was a trusted mentor and source of maternal care and support for many women in the local community.
Outside of work, Lauren cherished time with her family, whether in the ocean, exploring the outdoors or tending her garden.
She also facilitated and taught workshops in nonviolent communication.
The loss of Lauren is being deeply felt by her family and many friends, the Nature Conservation team, volunteers, partner organisations, schools and the many thousands of children and families whose lives she touched.
In a fitting tribute to her enduring legacy, native seed collected by Lauren in recent months is now being propagated by the Margaret River Community Nursery.
Some of the plants will be given to Lauren’s family, while others will form part of a future revegetation project to stand as a lasting reminder of her lifelong commitment to restoring nature and strengthening community connections to country.