– TICKETS ON SALE–

-Innovation in conservation 10 MAY 2024 –

– a symposium presented by AABR & TAFE NSW

Restoration tools & techniques for urban environments.

Calling all conservation practitioners and enthusiasts! AABR and TAFE NSW present a symposium exploring innovative technologies and best practices aiding conservation efforts, with a focus on urban environments.

Nature in urban areas is under immense pressure due to climate change, invasive species, pollution, land clearing, inappropriate fire regimes and other interrelated threats. Urban biodiversity faces continuous decline, with countless ecosystems at risk of irreparable collapse.

We must drastically change the way urban environments are managed to ensure the preservation of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, whilst fostering humanity’s much needed connection with our natural surroundings.

Come and hear about local conservation projects and initiatives: from the time-tested, to the new innovations improving the management of urban ecosystems today – you’ll leave inspired to continue these conversations and further the best outcomes in conserving urban nature.

PRESENTERS

Peter Dixon (AABR President- keynote speaker)
Peter’s experiences in delivering environmental restoration programs at all levels provides unique insights into the multitude of professional pathways that a thorough understanding of on-ground restoration practices can provide. He’s always enlightening, challenging and thought provoking, often entertaining and he also plays the ukulele.

Mark Walters (Soil Translocation Specialist)
Topsoil from development sites is usually headed for the tip and, although it’s distressing to see bush being cleared, the silver lining can be found in saving the seed-rich topsoil. Mark will be sharing how using translocated topsoil seed banks is an effective restoration method.

Dr Michell Ryan (CHEN Platypus Project).
The platypus is on the path to extinction and it is critical that national conservation measures are implemented.
Due to their elusive behaviour, platypus are monitored using environmental DNA (eDNA) – an innovative, non-invasive sampling technique that analyses a small water sample for traces of platypus DNA. Sue will be sharing a research project being undertaken with Western Sydney Uni to establish the occurrence of platypus living in the extended Cattai Creek Catchment

Shaun Hooper (Aboriginal Cultural Fire Practitioner)
An Aboriginal Cultural Burn is not guided by a prescription, it is guided by the close relationship that the Aboriginal Cultural Fire Practitioner has with Country and everything in it. Shaun will be increasing our understanding towards cultural burning as a landscape wide approach, unlike the more strategic hazard reduction approach. It provides for emergent outcomes for a range of species who contribute in various ways to the implementation.

Chelsea Costello (Ku-ring-gai Council – Eastern Pygmy Possum Project)
The Eastern Pygmy Possum Project which has been running for the last 15 years, is an initiative between Ku-ring-gai Council’s ‘Natural Areas Team’ and volunteers aiming to improve the understanding of: EPP’s distribution and abundance, habitat preferences and provide supplementary habitat in areas where hollows are scarce. Chelsea will be outlining how the program has contributed greatly to the understanding of Pygmy-possums in the LGA, including continued evidence of successful breeding.

Matt Stephens (Hollow Hog Creator – presentation followed by demonstration)
It takes at least 70 to 120 years for hollows to form in trees in Australian forests. The Hollowhog tool forms these hollows in less than an hour, providing at least an additional 70 years of potential use by fauna and, most importantly, filling the gap until hollows are able to develop naturally. Matt Stephens is the inventor of ‘Hollow Hog’ – a unique wood carving tool that has been specifically designed to create habitat for hollow dependent wildlife. He will be discussing the development of this amazing tool and demonstrating its use.

Lunch will be provided, plus a raffle with prizes to be won!

– TICKETS ON SALE–

Where: Auditorium at Ryde Tafe

250 Blaxland Rd, Ryde 2112
Auditorium located in Building A, Level 5

Ryde Tafe Campus Map

Getting there

West Ryde Train station 1.9km
Parking available from Parkes St entrance

For transportation options or timetable information, please call 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info

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