Overview
Australian Desert Expeditions (ADE) is an organisation focused on exploring and documenting Australia’s desert landscapes, which remain among the world’s least understood environments.
Despite covering approximately 18% of the Australian mainland, these ecosystems face increasing pressures, with many species and ecological processes at risk of being lost before they are fully documented.
Mission and approach
ADE aims to improve understanding and conservation of Australia’s desert environments through scientific exploration and research.
The organisation values evidence-based research, long-term ecological understanding and the integration of traditional knowledge alongside modern scientific methods.
What they do
Over the past 14 years, ADE has conducted extensive scientific surveys across remote regions of central Australia using a combination of modern survey techniques, historical benchmarking and traditional knowledge.
Their work has produced historical and contemporary ecological inventories across diverse desert landscapes, including dune fields, woodlands, river systems and stony ranges.
Expeditions and participation opportunities
ADE leads innovative walking expeditions that combine exploration with scientific research. Participants contribute to:
- Ecological surveys and biodiversity assessments.
- Mapping species distribution and habitat associations.
- Investigating environmental pressures such as invasive species, grazing, fire and rainfall.
Last updated: December 2025.