An environmental scientist involved in a re-wilding project on the Fleurieu Peninsula has been named 2024 Australian of the Year for South Australia.

Timothy Jarvis AM is also an author, filmmaker, philanthropist and speaker, who seeks pragmatic solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. 

The Forktree Project involves restoring a degraded 133 acre former pastoral property near Carrickalinga back to nature and growing rare native plants to safeguard them from extinction. 

Mr Jarvis is also vice-president at Fauna & Flora, a global ambassador and governor of WWF, ambassador to Koala Life and a board director of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.  

As an adventurer, he re-enacted Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic explorations and advocates for the protection of Antarctica.

The other 2024 Australians of the Year for South Australia are:

• Tiahni Adamson - 2024 Young Australian of the Year.
• Sister Meredith Evans - 2024 Senior Australian of the Year. 
• Rachael Zaltron OAM - 2024 Local Hero.

They will all be national finalists at the national Australian of the Year awards in Canberra on 25 January.