The life of a scientist in the Department of Conservation is worlds apart from the traditional stereotype of a lab-coat wearing academic hidden inside and away from the ‘real world’. DOC’s Threatened Species Ambassador Nicola Toki talks to alpine ecologist, Dr Kerry Weston. Kerry’s work takes her to the top of New Zealand’s peaks to try to unravel the mystery of the world’s most ancient species of wren, a vital indicator for the health of our high rise ecosystems.