South Australians who love and protect the environment are often unfairly referred to as tree-hugging hippies. But it’s not a case of one-size-fits-all. There are so many types of nature-lovers and we’re here for all of them. Check out our list!
We, at Green Adelaide, are proud and passionate environmentalists: from our ecologists and urban planners to our grant managers, governance upholders, communicators, facilitators and educators.
Each of our staff bring a different set of characteristics, skills and expertise to their job. So, we know that the old environmentalist stereotypes don’t really fit anymore.
To have a chuckle and celebrate our diverse environmentalists this festive season, we’ve compiled a lighthearted list of some of the modern Adelaide environmentalist profiles that we’ve noticed! And to be clear, we love all nature-lovers, as they’re all making a great contribution in our plight to make our metropolitan area cooler, greener and wilder.
So, with our tongues firmly planted in our cheeks, here’s 6 environmentalist character profiles that we’ve noticed. Which one do you, or your family and friends fit into?
1. Nature nerd
Key traits: Easy-going, dedicated and calm in a crisis.
Likes: Dogs, hikes, spotting and IDing creatures (particularly birds), and a collector of David Attenborough docos!
Dislikes: When people kill spiders in their homes instead of catching them and releasing them outside again.
Fun facts: You’ll never see them feeding wild animals, like giving bread to ducks. They like to remind their friends and family that they are “keeping our wildlife wild”, plus they will “shhhh” you if they see a bird they want to ID.
2. Green spirit
Key traits: Demure, edgy and independent, values freedom.
Likes: Coffee, TikTok, surfing and going to festivals and collecting bird feathers.
Dislikes: When people ‘ghost’ (just say “bye” when you leave a party!), pesky flies, and when people think choosing local for cooking matters more than for gardening.
Fun facts: Signs up to help out at random beach clean-ups or planting events near them.
3. Water warden
Key traits: Practical, resourceful and would genuinely borrow a cup of sugar from their neighbours.
Likes: Their ‘emotional support’ drink bottle or keep cup, sustainable fashion, checking BOM daily and telling people when there’s rain coming!
Dislikes: When people on their street wash their car in the driveway – get on the lawn!
Fun facts: Never leaves the tap running when brushing their teeth and avoids using chemicals in the garden to protect local frogs.
4. Green thumb gangster
Key traits: Rebellious, social and likes to play GTA / Against the Storm / Minecraft.
Likes: Signing online climate petitions, running Facebook groups to rally support for their local patch, as well as sharing heirloom seed harvested from their best-performing tomato plant.
Dislikes: Littering, miner birds (they’re so loud and annoying!), bare soil and concrete jungle developments.
Fun facts: Is a member of their local community garden and knows how to grow a killer veggie patch.
5. Habitat hero
Key traits: Artistic, nurturing and handy. Brushes off their hoarding tendencies by referring to themselves as bowerbirds!
Likes: Beach walks, indoor cats, reading and saying “hi” to magpies when they walk by them.
Dislikes: When a tree is cut down, and any type of plastic waste.
Fun facts: Knows how to build and install a nest box to create new homes for native animals (plus keeps track of the comings and goings of their local ones) and is a qualified wildlife carer, ready to step in 365 days a year.
6. Bougie bae bee
Key traits: Well-meaning, loves efficiency, keeps busy and works to a clear brief.
Likes: Helping others, vegan-friendly products, guilt-free creature comforts, and knowing the rules of household recycling.
Dislikes: Being outside when it’s too hot, and camping without a proper bathroom.
Fun facts: Doesn’t know the scientific names of plants or animals but will pay more for local, sustainable beauty products.
Want to get involved in 2025?
Everyone has a bit of environmentalist in them! We hope this list shows the many different types of people looking after nature, plus the many different ways you can look after metro SA’s plants, animals and waterways too. You all play a role – however great or small.
Want to be more involved? It’s easy. You can:
- discover what’s happening to cool, green and wild Adelaide on our blog
- suss out environmental volunteering opportunities near you
- check out our grants, which are up for grabs early next year
- use our tips to start or grow your garden
- listen to our podcast for the latest research, tips and career advice from enviro-experts
- be inspired by the diverse skills of our passionate team.