PROVISIONAL PROGRAM

Download a current version of the Provisional Program in PDF format.

FORUM OVERVIEW

The Parks and Protected Areas Forum is divided into three related and equally important parts.

While there is some overlap between the days, day one key will provide an opportunity for our keynote speakers to present key challenges for protected areas, day two will focus on the experiences of a wide variety of park users and day three will establish an agenda for action, with a choice of six optional field trips offered to delegates.

 

PART 1: KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

The organising committee has invited a selection of keynote speakers to set the scene for the Forum. The Hon Bob Carr will talk about his legacy in NSW where his Government was able to create 350 new national parks. Perspectives from the international scene, through the national to the local will be provided by speakers including Paul Eagles, Peter Cochrane, Chris Haynes, Keiran McNamara and Chris Tallentire. More focused talks will be given by Imogen Zethoven, Pierre Horwitz, and Graeme Worboys.

We have also sought speakers who can offer some different insights into our parks and protected areas. These insights are more concerned with the values of our conservation areas than with their science and management. Thus, Sally Morgan will speak on Country and Penny Figgis on values. Other speakers will talk about parks and their contributions to both physical and mental health. The economic value of these areas will also be included.

As you can see, we have brought together people from government and community backgrounds and with many different interests reflecting the themes of the Forum: a sense of place, for all people, for all time.

 

PART 2: STORIES FROM OUR PARKS

The Tuesday will be mostly devoted to hearing about individual stories from our parks. Some of these stories will be scientific, but most will range widely and encompass people who have worked for the creation of new parks and protected areas, those who speak for people who visit our parks, and also for the interests of Aboriginal owners and joint managers.

Once again we have tried to be different and have included in the program less well represented aspects: fungi and islands, geoheritage and the importance of local communities. We also will examine the important and complementary values of private conservation initiatives and other partnerships.

 

PART 3: AN AGENDA FOR ACTION

At the beginning of the Forum you will be provided with a draft Agenda for Action prepared by the organising committee on behalf of the host organisations. You are encouraged to read our proposal and discuss it over coffee and lunch. During the Wednesday field trips you will have more time to talk about our ideas and develop your own.

Our hope is that you will be able to find the time to comment and respond to the draft and let us know what you think. The host organisations will then develop a final Agenda for Action to guide their future programs and actions.

 

OTHER THINGS
 Aboriginal peoples connection to the land is celebrated throughout the Forum.  This has been done through the Welcome to Country and Dreaming of Protected Places, as well as through the Aboriginal speakers themselves.

The Welcome to Country will be a little different and involve active participation from delegates. Likewise the closing ceremony will feature a performance around the theme of “our dreaming places”.

Message sticks will also have a role over the days of the Forum.

As this registration package goes to print the organising committee is looking at ensuring that the Forum is carbon neutral.

 


WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Any person who has a passion for parks and protected areas and wishes to seek partnerships to enable these precious areas to continue to provide a sense of place, for all people, for all time.