The Melanie Jane Kelly Memorial Fund was established to honour the late Mel Kelly’s 25-year contribution to conservation in Tasmania.

The 2026 Melanie Jane Kelly Bursary recipients were awarded at the annual Women in Conservation event co-hosted by Enviro-dynamics and the TLC. The event was big! And so are the two projects put forward by this year’s winner, Leah Soo and Runner up, Alexandria Bullen.

Supporting the progress of women in conservation through the MJK bursary is an honor, and we encourage everyone to read and discover more about the recipients and their projects.

At LRF we continue to build community to get behind the important work of the foundation, and to encourage the research, citizen scientists projects, students, professionals and community organisations with the common goal of breaking ground and creating change.

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2026 MJK bursary awardees.

Leah Soo.

First place with her project; From clay to conservation, spawning habitats for the spotted hand-fish.

Alexandria Bullen.

Runner Up with her project; Bleeding on the Edge, investigating rodenticide toxicity in wildlife living ‘on the edge’ in NW Tasmania.

The late Melanie Jane Kelly with Detector Dog Fonz in the field

About Mel

Mel was a passionate, caring, positive force in conservation. She had an amazing ability to inspire others and bring them together to achieve environmental outcomes in Tasmania.

The Melanie Jane Kelly (MJK) Bursary memorialises her legacy, supporting trailblazing woman annually to progress meaningful conservation activity or research work.

The MJK bursary award pays tribute to teamwork, of which Mel was a master, demonstrated in her pioneering work with detector dogs.

We look forward to recognising Mel’s contribution to conservation through this year’s award, and to supporting women in the field.