As an explorer, Tim Jarvis battled Antarctica’s frigid wastes retracing Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton’s expeditions to the South Pole.

But it was his work reversing the ravages of man on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula that won him the honour.

Jarvis, through his Forktree Project, is returning a 54 hectare former pastoral property back to nature by planting tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs and re-establishing habitat for endangered native animals.

The project aims to demonstrate how small land holdings can make a big contribution to fighting climate change and arresting biodiversity loss.

The 57-year-old has long fought for the protection of Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem and pushed for the establishment of a million-square-metre marine park off eastern Antarctica.

It’s not the first time he has been recognised for his environmental advocacy.

Jarvis was named the Australian Geographic Society’s 2016 Conservationist of the Year for his 25zero project highlighting the rapid melting of the world’s glaciated equatorial mountains.

He is also a global ambassador and governor of WWF, ambassador of Koala Life and a board director of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife.

The environmental scientist was among four South Australian nominees announced at a ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday evening.

They will go into the running for the national Australian of the Year awards in January.

The senior category was taken out by Sister Meredith Evans for her work providing care to refugees, young people and vulnerable women.

The 75-year-old established the South Australian division of Young Mercy Links and helped create Justice for Refugees SA and the Young Christian Workers Movement.

Wildife conservation biologist Tiahni Adamson, who is also an InDaily 40 under 40 alumnus, was nominated young South Australian of the year for her advocacy for Indigenous justice, climate change and environmental conservation.

Adamson, 28, has worked with the CSIRO on Indigenous education programs and at climate change solutions company CH4Global, ensuring Indigenous knowledge is incroporating into its projects.

Founder of Backpacks 4 SA Kids Rachael Zaltron was named the state’s Local Hero.

The organisation she founded in 2013 collects donations and puts them into backpacks to help vulnerable children across the state.

National Australia Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser said the award winners were great Australians helping people and the environment.

“Tim and Tiahni’s achievements are recognised on a world stage, Sister Meredith’s work knows no bounds and Rachael’s foresight and action has changed lives around South Australia,” Fraser said.

– AAP

[solstice_jwplayer mediaid=”2Tbp8Xtv” playerid=”Meorb6nj” caption=”Sponsored video: The Post” /]