Jyoti’s upbringing in some of the UK’s biggest cities could not drown out her deep connection to the natural world. She remembers dreaming of National Geographic-style adventures as a child and spending every spare moment walking, swimming and getting up close to the plants and animals around her.

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

In Australia, she furthered her conservation work by supporting community groups in their dialogue with policymakers during her time at the Australian Conservation Foundation. Her role as a nature guide in the Otways Sanctuary also gave her a deep appreciation for biodiversity, highlighting the significance of all flora and fauna, regardless of size or charisma.

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

As Biodiversity Projects Officer, Jyoti works with the team, as well as communities and organisations nationwide, to coordinate programs that support pathways for land protection and ongoing community-led stewardship.

Jyoti is excited to support the team and community-led initiatives in meaningful ways. BioDiversity Legacy’s ethos of listening and learning from local communities aligns closely with her vision of empowering people to enact positive change within their own environments.