Rewilding Central Victoria

Hosted by Biolinks Alliance, this fascinating and thought provoking expert panel discussion looks at whether the topical conservation approach, ‘rewilding’, can solve wide-spread environmental challenges in Central Victoria.

‘Rewilding’ is embraced worldwide as an approach that goes beyond saving single species or patches of remaining habitat, to restoring the wider natural processes, and missing species, that support life.

Podcast

Video

Photograph of Eastern Barred Bandicoot by Dave Watts

More about this expert panel event

This free event took place on Sunday 7 May 2023 at Kyneton Mechanics Institute. It brought together an eminent panel of experts and thinkers to discuss what rewilding could look like in Central Victoria, why hasn’t it been taken up widely so far and what potential does it have to restitch the natural fabric of life, so it can support future generations.

Experts included:

  • Darren Grover, Head of Healthy Land and Seascapes - WWF Australia

  • Dr. Tristan Derham, Research Associate - University of Tasmania

  • Amos Atkinson, Cultural Fire Practitioner

  • Chris Hartnett, Threatened Species Program Coordinator - Zoos Victoria

  • Paul Foreman, Conservation Strategist and Ecologist - Biolinks Alliance

This panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Sophie Bickford, Biolinks Alliance’s Executive Director.

Biolinks Alliance wishes to thank the panelists for kindly participating in this event and notes that the opinions they expressed are their own and not necessarily Biolinks Alliance’s.

What did attendees say after the event?

‘‘I liked the cross section of panel members who all provided different perspectives. The discussion around defining rewilding was interesting. I had no idea the term generates such debate. I particularly enjoyed hearing Chris talk about the threatened species and the importance of insects and grasslands.’’

‘‘I just really enjoyed hearing the variety of ideas and the discussions. A really good bunch of speakers!’’

‘‘Great to see a big turn-out to the event. I enjoyed the focus upon landscape-scale actions and outcomes, and it definitely got me thinking about how the land that we manage fits within the broader landscape and which neighbours we should be talking to about potential broader habitat benefits.’’

Have a suggestion for topics for future events?

We pride ourselves on hosting events that start urgent yet inspiring and productive conversations about community driven conservation and biodiversity - and focus on building ecological literacy. Please email us with topic suggestions for future events.