Nathan Waltham

Associate Professor Nathan Waltham is a Senior Lecturer in the College of Science and Engineering at James Cook University. A marine biologist by training, he holds a BSc (Marine Biology/Aquaculture) from Southern Cross University and postgraduate credentials in Environmental Management from Griffith University, and earned his PhD exploring urban channel waterways and their ecological roles.

Nathan’s research spans aquatic ecology, ecosystem resilience, restoration and blue carbon in floodplains, estuaries, coastal wetlands and urban waterways. He focuses on northern Australia while also leading international collaborations across Papua New Guinea, Southeast Asia, and North and South America. He is a prolific scholar and has examined topics such as wetland restoration, tidal regimes, fish connectivity, blue carbon and the ecology of urbanised coasts.

Nathan contributes significantly to applied science and policy, working through partnerships with Indigenous land and sea rangers, government bodies, NGOs, industry groups, and community stakeholders. His leadership includes co-founding and co-leading the Australasian Coastal Restoration Network and presenting on restoration ecology at national symposia. A Queensland Government–Smithsonian Research Fellow (2020), he investigated large‑scale restoration approaches in Chesapeake Bay and the Everglades.

Engaged, experienced, and passionate about community-driven ecological solutions, Nathan’s work at JCU tackles coastal challenges through evidence-based restoration and holistic landscape management.