A new conference to be held on Daydream Island will focus on island management. The conference called ‘Island Arks’ will be hosted by Reef Catchments, and will be held on Daydream Island from 7th - 11th December 2009.
This is the first time that a National symposium has been held to discuss island ecosystems and sustainable use. Part of the symposium will include discussions on the movement of endangered species to islands where they can be more effectively isolated from threats.
There are a number of themes to the conference including conservation management planning, pest challenges, Indigenous partnerships, community engagement and visitor management, integrated solutions and climate change.
Keynote speakers for the symposium include Mr. Graeme Wood, co-founder of the online accommodation website wotif.com; Ray Nias, a member of the CSIRO Biodiversity Advisory Committee to the Commonwealth; Bob Pressey, Professor at JCU for Conservation Planning for Sustainable Future and member of ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies; Andrew Burbidge, a conservation biologist with many years of experience in island conservation and management and an adviser to both the Western Australian and Australian Governments; John Woinarski, a principal scientist with the NorthernTerritory's Department of Natural Resources Environment The Arts and Sport, and a adjunct professorial fellow at the School for Environmental Research, Charles Darwin University. John has also has worked extensively at managing the conservation values of islands, in collaboration with Indigenous landowners.
Early bird registration is still available. Book now on www.islandarks.com.au or contact Derek Ball on 07 4968 4202 or by email derek.ball@reefcatchments.com.au
09 September 2009
Photo: Beautiful Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet on Whitsunday Island.
