Registrations for the 2017 WA Threatened Species Forum have opened, with anticipation of yet another excellent conference to be held in Geraldton, in September.
The Forum will once again be delivered through a partnership between NRM WA – the consortium of the Western Australia’s seven Natural Resource Management regional organisations – and the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (formerly the Department of Parks and Wildlife).
The Federal Member of Durack Melissa Price said she was once again looking forward to the event
“The focus on the protection of WA’s most threatened animals and plants will take place again at the WA Threatened Species Forum in Geraldton,” she said.
“The inaugural event, which I attended in 2015, saw almost 200 like-minded people gather to learn and share information regarding, amongst other topics, solutions for protecting our threatened animals and plants,” she said.
Richard McLellan, the CEO of the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC), said he was looking forward to another enriching conference to follow-on from the extremely successful inaugural event in 2015.
“The Forum provides a fantastic platform for experts and others interested and involved in the conservation of threatened species in Western Australia, to come together to explore and share solutions,” he said.
“This kind of knowledge-sharing helps all of us advance practical ways of tackling the key threats that hang over so many of our state’s most threatened and globally unique species,” he said.
“The Forum also provides a rare opportunity in Western Australia at which people with a common concern for the state’s endangered flora and fauna can build their networks and learn more about threatened species conservation.”
Mr McLellan said the Forum had attracted an “amazing line-up” of speakers, including Carlos Drews, the U.S.-based Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute, and Penny Figgis AO, Vice Chair, Oceania, for the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner Gregory Andrews says he will unfortunately not be able to attend this year’s Forum, but wished the organisers well, urging anyone with an interest in Western Australia’s threatened species to register for this event.
The forum will be held on 7-8 September at the Queens Park Theatre in Geraldton.
Field trips organised to complement the Forum will provide opportunities for participants to explore the unique biodiversity and natural landscapes of Australia’s Mid West region.
To register and to book a place on the field trip, or for more information, please visit the Forum website: http://www.nacc.com.au/project/2017-wa-threatened-species-forum/.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kym Jefferies Kym.Jefferies@nacc.com.au (08) 9938 0100.
