Managing fire together: Applying science, skills, and stories.
Nature Conservation Council, Media Release, 15 May 2023
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW is excited to announce details of the 13th Biennial Bushfire Conference. The conference is unique in its focus on community participation in fire management and draws together researchers, First Nations knowledge holders and land managers from across the nation.
The key themes this year are the impacts of climate change, how communities and ecosystems have withstood and recovered after bushfires, and how collaborative community efforts can meet the challenges of fire.
The conference will examine how changes in climate are impacting the capacity of both natural and human systems to cope with unpredictable fire seasons. It will explore how to better prepare, respond to and recover from bushfires. Novel science, policies and field-based approaches will be shared, and delegates will be able to examine how collaboration can result in positive outcomes for people, biodiversity and our unique ecosystems.
Keynote presentations will include:
- Oliver Costello (Jagun Alliance Aboriginal Corporation) – “Connecting to Jagun (Country) for healing and community resilience.”
- Dr Sarah Harris (Country Fire Authority) – “Climate change and bushfire management.”
- Prof David Lindenmayer (The Australian National University) – “Forests, forestry and fire.”
- A/Prof Lauren Bennett (The University of Melbourne) – “Fires and forests – can we assume carbon stability and neutrality.”
- Professor Euan Ritchie (Deakin University). – “Burning issues: managing fire and interacting threats for effective ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.”
Statements attributable to Nature Conservation Council CEO Jacqui Mumford.
“Since our first conference in 1994, our understanding of the relationships between climate, natural ecosystems, land management and the use of fire for multiple purposes has grown substantially”
“Through the lens of climate change, the recent fire history of NSW and the impacts to affected communities, the presentations at this conference will examine how these challenges and how collaborative actions are shaping the capacity of both natural and human systems to cope with
bushfires.”
“A sustainable approach to the planning, assessment and operational implementation of all fire management activities is needed.
We have enough First Nations and scientific knowledge, as well as operational experience to greatly enhance the protection of life, property and the environment, and to manage both land and fire appropriately.”
Statements from keynote speakers
“To effectively manage the impacts of fire on wildlife and ecosystems requires a whole-of-system view and integrated approaches’”. Professor Euan Ritchie
“The cultural life of communities can be enhanced by providing opportunities for people to work together to heal Country, mitigate the risks of bushfires and improve Connections to Country”. Oliver Costello.
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW is the state’s leading environmental advocacy organization.
Our team of ecologists, scientists, campaigners, and community organizers work for an ecologically sustainable NSW, where people and nature can thrive together.
