Jyoti’s upbringing in some of the UK’s biggest cities could not drown out her profound calling to the natural world – she remembers dreaming of National Geographic-esque adventures as a kid and spending every spare moment walking, swimming and getting up close and personal with the plants and animals around her.

Jyoti’s professional journey reflects her commitment to environmental activism and community empowerment. From her university studies in Environmental Science to working on clean energy projects with the Climate Reality Project in the US to advocating for grassroots waste management initiatives in Indigenous communities of Northern Colombia, Jyoti has consistently championed community-led efforts for environmental conservation.

In Australia, she furthered her conservation efforts by supporting community groups in their dialogues with policymakers during her tenure at the Australian Conservation Foundation. Additionally, her role as a nature guide in the Otways Sanctuary gave her a deep appreciation for biodiversity and highlighted the significance of all flora and fauna, irrespective of size or charisma.

At BioDiversity Legacy, Jyoti brings her expertise in creating inclusive spaces for idea-sharing and fostering collaborative thinking to her role. She values the organisation’s commitment to honouring its connections to place and sees BioDiversity Legacy as a platform for building and nurturing relationships, countering the societal norm of isolation with a structured, community-driven approach.

As Biodiversity Projects Officer, Jyoti will work with the team as well as communities and organisations nationwide to coordinate programs that support pathways for in- perpetuity land protection and ongoing community-led stewardship. Jyoti is excited to support the team and grassroots initiatives in meaningful ways. BioDiversity Legacy’s ethos of listening and learning from local communities aligns perfectly with her vision of “ empowering individuals to enact positive change within their own environments.”