Michael Manton has a BSc in environmental science (2006) and a Ph.D. in biology (2016). He is currently a senior scientific researcher at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania. His work experience includes agriculture, forest management, nature conservation, spatial planning, and environmental consultancy within Australia's public and private sectors. Michael’s current research focuses on understanding historical and current landscape development towards planning, management, and the sustainable use of natural resources for production, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being.