Opening Keynote: Managing natural resources in an era of ecological transformation
Speaker: Shelley Crausbay
Abstract 1: Accessible adaptation guidance for Australia’s biodiversity managers
Adapt Land&Sea is an online resource featuring adaptation work from across the National Environmental Science Program’s four research hubs. Adapt Land&Sea provides climate adaptation guidance to land and sea managers through information articles and a step-by-step guide for developing an adaptation plan. The recently released Adaptation Catalogue for Conservation (AdaptLog), which provides a repository of adaptation interventions for species and ecological communities, also features.
In keeping with Adapt Land&Sea’s central objective to be accessible, useable and useful, we call on all biodiversity managers to help shape future content and user experience through testing and reviewing products. By providing tailored and accessible climate adaptation guidance for land and sea managers, we hope to contribute to improving management of biodiversity threatened by climate change and climate-related extreme events.
Speaker: Jenny Styger
Abstract 2: Breeding Hope: Innovation and Impact in Conservation Hatchery Revolution
Victoria’s new Conservation Hatchery, located at Snobs Creek, is a national first—designed to breed and recover some of Australia’s most threatened freshwater species. Central to this is the 10inTen program, a bold initiative to establish secure populations of ten endangered aquatic species in ten years. For NRM managers, the hatchery offers a vital tool to support regional recovery plans, safeguard biodiversity, and boost ecosystem resilience. It enables targeted reintroductions, improves genetic diversity, and creates insurance populations against extinction. As climate change drives more frequent droughts, floods, and bushfires, the need for responsive, science-led conservation has never been more urgent. The hatchery represents a strategic investment in proactive, climate-ready species recovery —integrating research, regional action, and traditional knowledge to future-proof freshwater ecosystems across south-eastern Australia and beyond. This talk will explore lessons, partnerships, and opportunities for NRM leaders to leverage hatchery science for meaningful environmental outcomes.
Speaker: Jarod Lyon
Abstract 3: Playing the long game: climate adaptation and mitigation
As governments, corporations and community contend with the twin challenges of climate adaptation and climate mitigation there may be three key (institutional) levers worth considering for longer-term adaptation success.
Lever 1: Planning landscapes to be set up for success – 2170 not 1770: Land, water and biodiversity interventions are transparently designed on climate change predictive data.
Lever 2: Setting people up for success – individually and collectively: successful landscape change (EG biodiverse carbon projects) benefits from well-considered local and regional community engagement. Underpinned by Lever 1 details – providing information designed for individual growth (climate relaxed – not anxious community, institutional skills growth).
Lever 3: Advocacy to align institutional policy (and budget). Establishing durable outcomes in mitigating long-term climate change will be aided by integrated policy from government. Private investors, landowners are more likely to be encouraged when government signals policy and legislative support – and a capacity to co-invest.
Speaker: Alistair Phillips
