Could this topical conservation approach restore nature at the scale and pace we need?

Sunday 7 May 2023
10.30am for 11am start
Kyneton Mechanics Institute, 81 Mollison St, Kyneton

Thank you to Will Burrell of Molliacca Farms for sponsoring this event and to all our supporters for their ongoing support.

 
 
 

Moderated by

Dr Sophie Bickford
Executive Director - Biolinks Alliance

Chris Hartnett


Threatened Species Program Coordinator - Zoos Victoria

Chris Hartnett is a Threatened Species Program Coordinator in the Wildlife Conservation and Science Department at Zoos Victoria, committed to recovery actions for 27 priority species identified as being at risk of extinction within 10 – 20 years. Working closely with a range of conservation partners, Chris has led the strategic planning and implementation for Zoos Victoria’s Detection Dogs program since 2016, and Plains-wanderer program since 2018. Chris has extensive experience in experimental design and implementation, and has played a project management and field officer role within a number of conservation projects for Australian native species, including the Eastern Barred Bandicoot (mate choice research and population monitoring), Orange-bellied Parrot (captive–wild translocation), Leadbeater’s Possum (GPS tracking trial and captive – wild translocation), Mountain Pygmy-possum (collection for captive breeding program and supplementary feeding trial to support post-bushfire recovery), and the use of detection dogs to locate threatened wildlife (e.g. Baw Baw frog and Plains-wanderer). Her strengths lie in communication, planning, and overcoming the many logistical challenges encountered to bring species back from the brink of extinction.

Amos Atkinson


Cultural Fire Practitioner

Amos is a proud Way Wurru, Bangerang, Dja Dja Wurrung, Barrapa Barrapa, Wemba Wemba, Daug Wurrung, Ngura-illam Wurrung, Wiradjuri man. Always caring for country, he has a deep family connection to country with extensive knowledge of all his Nations’ history, genealogy and culture. Amos is a cultural fire practitioner, learning from Aboriginal people all over Australia and bringing the knowledge back to Victoria. He is currently studying for a PhD. ‘I envision myself being the connector between western and cultural knowledge. I want to use this knowledge to make a better outcome for everybody.'

Darren Grover


Head of Healthy Land and Seascapes - WWF Australia

As Head of Healthy Land and Seascapes, I lead the Species, Oceans, Landscape Restoration, and Social Development teams at WWF-Australia. My team delivers projects that seek to improve the conservation status of threatened species, protect marine ecosystems and terrestrial landscapes, and engage Indigenous people and local communities to protect environmental values and promote sustainable livelihoods. I’m an ecologist by trade and studied at the Queensland University of Technology and James Cook University. I have over 20 years of experience in species conservation, environmental impact assessment, Indigenous education and land management, and the development of environmental and water policies.

Dr Tristan Derham


Research Associate - University of Tasmania

Tristan's work is focused on the ethics and practice of ecological restoration, including rewilding. He applies ecology and philosophy expertise to problems in conservation, including the restoration of wildness, the harming of animals for conservation outcomes, and the reinstitution of Indigenous cultural practices. Tristan is a restoration project manager and has published research papers on rewilding and reintroduction, biological invasions, animal refugees, and the distribution of emus.

Paul Foreman


Conservation Strategist and Ecologist - Biolinks Alliance

Paul is an ecologist and botanist with over 30 years of experience in a range of technical, strategic and management roles across Victoria and Australia, including Trust for Nature and Bush Heritage. Paul has long been involved with landscape restoration ecology and has keenly observed the rise of ‘rewilding’ projects across the country, and advocates for its broader take up in helping combat our modern environmental crises. He is also a PhD researcher at La Trobe University looking into the role of Aboriginal burning in grasslands, and was the inaugural chair for Biolinks Alliance.

 

About Biolinks Alliance

Biolinks Alliance supports the restoration of wildlife and landscapes in Central Victoria by partnering with and building the capacity of other environmental groups and networks.  We ensure that the significant momentum for community-driven conservation on public and private land in Central Victoria is supported, coordinated and amplified.