Spotlight on the Nativ Carbon Team

Nativ Carbon’s in-house, multidisciplinary team

Behind every successful carbon planting project is a web of interconnected systems – planning, supply, mapping, people management, fieldwork and follow-up. Nativ Carbon is built to deliver across this entire chain. With specialists in seed collection, GIS, restoration ecology, logistics and management, the team is capable of taking on projects at scale without losing focus. 

Nativ Carbon’s team includes former local government specialists, scientists, shipbuilders and conservationists. This diversity strengthens our capacity to approach complex challenges. Each person plays a critical role in a larger system – contributing not just skills, but a commitment to outcomes that matter. Looking beyond the projects, these are the people delivering them.

Experienced leadership

Nativ Carbon’s leadership – Matthew Oswald (Director – Operations), David Lullfitz (Director – Supply) and Thomas Schwarten (Operations Manager) combines strategic direction with hands-on industry knowledge. 

Matthew has over 20 years of experience in environmental management, specialising in large-scale landscaping and revegetation projects across Western Australia. He began with a fascination for plant biology and how native species adapt to harsh local conditions, which led him to a career in restoring landscapes. As founder of Gambara Pty Ltd, a majority-owned Indigenous company, Matthew has delivered some of WA’s most significant revegetation projects. He values strong partnerships with Indigenous businesses and takes pride in mentoring others in plant installation and seed collection. His focus is always on delivering results that benefit both the environment and the communities involved.

David has over two decades of experience in commercial nursery management, with a lifelong passion for native plant propagation and biodiversity. Growing up in a family-run nursery, he was exposed to the world of plants from a young age, and that early connection led him to establish Plantrite in 2007. Today, the nursery supplies more than six million native plants each year, supporting infrastructure, landscaping and revegetation projects across Western Australia. David finds satisfaction in seeing these plants take root in large-scale projects like freeway extensions and Optus Stadium, knowing they contribute to long-term environmental outcomes. A member of the International Plant Propagators Society, he’s committed to raising awareness of the skill and value involved in growing native species for restoration.

Thomas has worked in environmental restoration since his teens. His combined background in horticulture and engineering informs a practical leadership style focused on long-term impact. With hands-on experience spanning wetland and bushland restoration across Australia, Thomas brings both scientific knowledge and operational agility to large-scale revegetation. ‘I’m deeply entrenched in operations,’ he says, ‘but all our work is based on the best scientific principles.’

Supportive administration

The leadership team is supported by Amelia Kennedy (Corporate Services) and Helen Lamb (HSE Advisor), with administrative support from Genevieve Mack.

Amelia’s background in international business and her rural WA roots position her to lead with both insight and adaptability. Having worked across accounting practices, multinationals, government and universities – including a decade in the UK – she brings a well-rounded understanding of different challenges and opportunities. 

Together, this group ensures projects are technically sound, financially responsible and aligned with long-term environmental goals.

Field operations and geospatial

GIS Specialist Rizwan Riaz applies advanced mapping technologies to improve project accuracy and scale. With his master’s degree in Environmental Science and half a decade of experience in the mining and resource sector, he brings both academic insight and industry perspective to Nativ Carbon’s work. ‘I am particularly drawn to Nativ Carbon’s offset projects,’ he says, ‘as they closely align with both my passion and academic pursuits in sustainable environmental solutions.’

Senior Project Manager Matt Manson and Project Managers Katrina Baker, Matt Lynn and Kieran Coupe bring diverse, hands-on experience to Nativ Carbon’s restoration work. Matt Manson has spent years installing millions of trees across thousands of hectares and takes great pride in revisiting sites to see new ecosystems emerging. For him, a successful day means a healthy, motivated team planting trees together and witnessing those efforts take root and thrive. Matt Lynn draws on a unique background in shipbuilding and wildlife conservation, and his combined expertise in construction and conservation has equipped him to lead large-scale planting projects safely and effectively. Kieran values variety and problem-solving, with roles ranging from field operations to sensor data analysis for a UK nuclear plant. ‘I wanted to work outdoors, in the natural environment, doing work that’s interesting and rewarding,’ he says – a goal he now lives daily at Nativ Carbon.

Anthony Swarts (Senior Project Coordinator) and Trevor Newman (Supervisor) bring decades of practical knowledge in seed collection and land management across remote WA. Anthony grew up learning from his father’s interest in native orchids and later built a career in revegetation, including coordinating seed programs in the Pilbara. Drawn to the emerging potential of carbon planting, he joined Nativ Carbon to continue hands-on work with a skilled, collaborative team.

The Nativ Carbon operations team is further supported by our dedicated farm team, which plays a crucial role in the execution of our planting projects. Led by Senior Farm Hand Lindsay Cousins, the team also includes farm hand Chris Paganini, as well as Field Hands Lorenzo Demasi and Ian Oswald.

Seed supply and management

Every successful planting starts with the right seed. Nativ Carbon’s Supply team ensures native seed is sourced, tracked and delivered responsibly.

Nativ Carbon’s Manager-Seed, Jacqueline Van Spijk, played a key role in shaping our seed operations – establishing systems, assembling a team and delivering on complex client targets. Trained in Environmental Science and driven by a deep appreciation for WA’s biodiversity, she leads with both structure and adaptability. ‘Seeing the growth and development of the team, and knowing that I played a key role in shaping our operations, has been incredibly fulfilling,’ she says.

Leading Hand Georgia Howlett brings a deep respect for WA’s unique ecosystems and a strong commitment to sustainable, site-specific practices. Originally from Victoria, her passion for land restoration took root during TAFE studies and quickly grew into a full-time role with Nativ Carbon. Now, she leads field operations, ensuring every step, from scoping to seed drying, supports local biodiversity and long-term ecological health.

Our seed technicians, Justine White and Jade Hunter, also bring strong field experience and practical knowledge to the team. Justine came to seed collection through conservation and horticulture, finding purpose in seeing her work grow from seed to canopy. Jade began in tree planting but was drawn to seed work for its foundational role in ecosystem recovery. For her, real success is seeing species like Carnaby’s black cockatoos return to restored land.

Our seed team ensures every project begins with a sustainable, local foundation – maximising biodiversity and long-term ecological health.

A team capable of scalable delivery and reliable outcomes

Carbon planting is long-term work. It needs people who understand the land, respect the details and take ownership of outcomes. At Nativ Carbon, every person on the team adds to the strength of the system. Their experience, care and capability ensure that projects are not only well planned, but well executed – with results that stand up to time, scrutiny and purpose.