This week, we've got a few articles to get you thinking about the natural world.

First, meet six-year-old Lyra, who loved catching frogs, bugs and spiders – until she came home from school telling her mum that "catching bugs is only for boys".

When What the Duck?!'s Ann Jones heard about it, she got in touch with female scientists around the world who broke through barriers to carve out successful careers in science.

From 'Stay confident' to 'You're not alone' – here's their advice to Lyra.

Then, catch up on the latest in Shifting Cultures, our collaboration with the BBC World Service.

Belinda Sommer meets farmers choosing to combine conservation with agriculture – and finding that the benefits are paying off.

And have you ever heard of a "riverkeeper"? Read a profile of Charlotte Sterrett, who's just taken over as the voice of the Yarra/Birrarung.

Plus – hear from the artist representing Australia at the Venice Biennale, in conversation with The Art Show's Daniel Browning.

Enjoy your weekend,
Rosie Ryan, RN digital editor

Enjoy getting RN in your inbox? Let your friends know so they can sign up too!

Could paying farmers and Indigenous landowners to return parts of their properties to nature or turn them into carbon farms help solve our biodiversity crisis? Belinda Sommer travels to the wide plains and sub-tropical forests of Australia to meet the farmers who are combining commerce and conservation.

When six-year-old Lyra started coming home from school saying, "girls shouldn't like catching frogs" and "catching bugs is only for boys", her mum became concerned. So Julie emailed Ann Jones, asking for some encouraging words and inspiration for her young daughter.

While the term might conjure something out a Grimm brothers' fable, there aren't any trolls or fairies to be found here. Instead, what we've got is a global network of excitable nerds passionate about their local waterways. Blueprint For Living meets the newest riverkeeper for the Yarra/Birrarung — Charlotte Sterrett.