The personal reflection of Professor Gene Likens captures the transformative experience of encountering Australia’s unique biota and the ecological significance of Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserves. It highlights the emotional impact of seeing iconic species and the absence of others due to human-driven ecosystem degradation. Professor Likens praises Adrian Manning’s book for its comprehensive portrayal of Australian biodiversity and the long-term restoration experiment underway in these reserves. The reintroduction of species such as the eastern bettong, within a predator-proof sanctuary, is celebrated as a hopeful model for reversing ecological decline. The integration of community advocacy, Indigenous knowledge, citizen science and rigorous experimental design is recognised as key to the project’s success. The reflection underscores the importance of long-term ecological studies and the value of consistent leadership and methodology in conservation. It concludes with a message of hope for biodiversity restoration and admiration for the wild.