At the Edithvale Seaford Wetlands, I’m walking with Kinjia Munkara Murray, a proud Tiwi and Rembarrnga woman, and someone who sees a whole world most of us miss.

From the start, we’re stopping constantly. Looking at ants, watching movement on the ground, noticing things I would have walked straight past.

Kinjia has been fascinated by insects for as long as she can remember, and it shows. As we walk, she opens up the diversity of ants around Melbourne, how different species live, and how much is going on in even a small patch of ground.

We talk about how insects are often overlooked, despite the huge role they play in ecosystems, turning over soil, spreading seeds, pollinating plants, and helping keep everything in balance.

Kinjia also shares how insects are understood through Tiwi knowledge, where behaviour and relationships matter just as much as names.

I have to admit, after more than twenty years working in conservation, ants were something I’d often overlooked. One of the things I love about this project is that it keeps introducing me to new ways of seeing the natural world. This walk was a reminder that there is always more to learn, and that some of the most fascinating stories can be found right beneath our feet.