From the Bush to the Prairie
In recognition of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, a perspective on the power of recognition and representation
For Celeste Ackerly, a proud Trawlwoolway woman from north-east Tasmania, receiving an international conservation award was more than a career highlight, it marked a profoundly personal journey. Driven by her unwavering commitment to empowering Indigenous Australians in their conservation efforts, the recognition carried emotional depth and meaning that went far beyond anything she’d envisioned.
As a member of the Indigenous Landscapes team at TNC Australia, Celeste and her colleagues work to empower and provide support to Indigenous communities so that they can lead and manage their traditional lands and waters with pride, strength and cultural integrity. Their work is driven by a commitment to mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity, and halt environmental degradation, while ensuring that traditional knowledge is passed down through generations.
Celeste had never travelled outside Australia before. Like many Indigenous people, the opportunity to explore lands beyond her own had always felt just out of reach.“I never thought I’d leave Australia,” Celeste said, reflecting on her first-ever trip overseas. “Not because I didn’t want to, but because I never imagined I’d be able to afford something like that."
Celeste was invited to Nebraska to receive one of The Nature Conservancy’s Trailblazer Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions from individuals across TNC’s global staff. Celeste received the Acorn Award, celebrating ‘an exceptional new hire whose early impact has been nothing short of remarkable’. But the journey to get there was anything but simple. From navigating passport issues to overcoming financial barriers, it took determination—and support.
“If TNC hadn’t supported me financially to purchase a passport, there’s absolutely no way this trip would’ve happened,” she said. “It’s a glimpse into how they don’t just talk equity—they act on it.”
Her first international flight was a mix of awe and anxiety. “I was terrified of flying,” she laughed. “Every bit of turbulence had me thinking the plane was going down. But then I looked out over the curve of the earth and saw this golden light, sunrise or sunset, I couldn’t tell. It was breathtaking.”
Arriving in Nebraska, Celeste was struck by the beauty of the land. “I saw a hummingbird for the first time and thought it was a bug. I lost my mind when I realised what it was. So small, so fast, so out of this world.”
She wandered the prairies, marvelled at red cardinals, squirrels, and fireflies that lit up the night like falling stars. “For two hours, I was a child again. Laughing, alone, and absolutely bamboozled.”
But it wasn’t just the wildlife that moved her. It was the people. The conversations. The shared stories of resilience and connection. From learning about cultural burning practices in the American plains to bonding over horses and conservation with new friends, Celeste felt a deep sense of kinship that crossed oceans and cultures.
“I met someone from the Plains who became a kindred spirit,” she said. “She taught me games like cornhole and horseshoe throwing, and we talked for hours about our work, our homes, our lives. She even caught a firefly in her hands so I could see it up close. Her presence was a gift.”
Celeste Ackerly, Equity in Conservation Officer from TNC Australia receiving her Trailblazer Award from Sheryl Wheaton - Trim, Global Director Employee Relations & Engagement
Receiving the Acorn Award was a moment of immense pride. “It wasn’t just for me,” Celeste said. “It was for my team, my community, my family. I wished they were there. I wanted them to feel what I felt - that moment of pride, belonging, and recognition.”
The experience also deepened her commitment to global Indigenous conservation. “The plenary on Belize and the Mesoamerican Reef hit me hard. It showed what’s possible when Indigenous people are supported to lead. I want to learn more. I want to do more.”
Celeste’s journey was shaped by a lifetime of resilience. “Growing up the way I did wasn’t easy,” she shared. “My father was a young single dad. We didn’t grow up with a silver spoon, but we sure had a hell of a time. My childhood prepared me for anything life throws at me.”
Now a mother herself, Celeste continues to face challenges, but she carries her experiences with pride. “Even with everything I’ve been through, I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
There was one moment in Nebraska that will stay with her forever. “I looked out over the prairie and just cried. It hit me all at once - that somehow, I was worthy of witnessing something so beautiful.”
Though far from home, Celeste felt a deep connection to the land. “I almost felt guilty for how at home I felt. But I was, and continue to be, deeply thankful to the ancestors of that place for allowing me safe passage through their traditional lands.”
As she returns to her work in Australia, Celeste carries with her a renewed sense of purpose. “TNC may never fully understand how deeply this trip has impacted me,” she said. “I’m committed to putting myself out there and working toward our shared goals - not just for Country and for people, but because TNC supported me in a way that now feels like a bond of reciprocity. I want to continue supporting our collective work in any way I can.”
Celeste’s story is more than a travel diary. It’s a testament to what happens when equity is more than a buzzword - when it’s lived and breathed by organisations like TNC. It’s a reminder that representation matters, that opportunity can change lives, and that Indigenous voices are not only vital to conservation - they are leading it.
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