Hans Leenaarts brought a remarkable combination of technical expertise, management experience, and practical ingenuity to his work at Birdwood Downs in Western Australia.

With an educational background in physics and mathematics, Hans spent 30 years in the computer and technical automation industries, progressing from systems design and analysis to project management, management, and directorship. His responsibilities included quality control and quality assurance, with much of his career connected to offshore oil exploration, production, and the associated survey industry. He later became an independent management consultant specializing in organizational change.

Around the age of 60, Hans traveled to Australia and discovered the remote landscapes of the Kimberley. After staying at the Birdwood Downs campground, he began volunteering at the project in 2008—and never left. He soon joined the management team and became Financial Manager, taking responsibility for the business and financial operations of the station.

Hans rapidly adapted his technical and organizational abilities to the very different demands of a remote pastoral property. He learned to repair and maintain farm machinery, became an accomplished horse rider, managed volunteers, and supervised building and infrastructure projects. He also oversaw machinery maintenance and improvements to the station’s solar power system.

His work extended directly into management of the landscape. Hans participated in firefighting, weed control, and the continuing regeneration and management of Birdwood Downs’ grazing pastures—bringing together technical problem-solving, ecological stewardship, and the practical realities of maintaining a remote Australian station.

As a Fellow of the Institute of Ecotechnics, Hans Leenaarts exemplifies the adaptability at the heart of ecotechnics: applying knowledge and experience across disciplines while continually acquiring the new skills demanded by a particular place and its environment.