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Hear from experts at NCC's Bushfire Conference

Wednesday, 28th June 2023

Hear from experts at NCC's Bushfire Conference

On 24th – 25th May, 2023, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) Bushfire Program hosted their 13th biennial Bushfire Conference, themed “Managing Bushfire Together: Applying science, skills and stories”, at the Teachers’ Federation Conference Centre in Surry Hills, Sydney.

As has been the objective since their first conference in 1994, they brought together researchers, agencies, First Nations people, NGOs, practitioners, local councils and more, from over 130 different organisations. Over 300 delegates were given the opportunity to listen, learn and share from 46 speakers across both days and with each other, in addition to participating in a poster session sponsored by Humane Society International, a conference dinner sponsored by Local Land Services, a discussion panel, and browsing stalls from 10 sponsors. This was their first ever ‘hybrid’ conference and included over 60 attending virtually.

Presentations at the conference discussed three key themes:

  • 1) Heat: Climate Change and Changing Systems
  • 2) Oxygen: Recovery, Resilience and Innovation
  • 3) Fuel: Collaborative Communities

    • Opening addresses included those provided by:

  • Commissioner Rob Rogers, NSW Rural Fire Service
  • Atticus Fleming, A/ Coordinator General, Environment and Heritage Group
  • Darren Grover, Head, Healthy Land and Seascapes, WWF-Australia

    • Keynote presentations were delivered by:

  • 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?”
  • Prof Euan Ritchie, Deakin University – “Burning issues: managing fire and interacting threats for effective ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation”

    • The full program can be accessed here: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/natureorg/pages/3986/attachments/original/1685585913/Program.pdf?1685585913

    Contact NCC Bushfire Program Staff to purchase the conference recordings at NCCBushfireConference@nature.org.au

    This NCC Bushfire Conference event was made possible thanks to the contributions of the generous sponsors, including the platinum sponsors: NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and WWF-Australia, and gold sponsor: Toolijooa Environmental Restoration. You can learn more about the NCC Bushfire Program, including past conferences, here: https://www.nature.org.au/bushfire_program

    The NCC Bushfire Program presented a field day on Friday 26th May to continue exploring the theme of Managing Bushfire Together at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives. Through presentations, an introduction to Climate Wise Communities and a Simtable demonstration, a guided bushwalk, and facilitated discussions with local experts and land managers, participants were able to see how collaborative fire management can be used for the protection of community, ecological and heritage values. Presentations and knowledge was shared by representatives from NCC, Ku-ring-gai Council, Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire Service Brigade, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Australian Plants Society, Melbourne University, Western Sydney University, Sydney North Primary Health Network, and RMIT University. Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Cr. Jeff Pettett also attended and welcomed delegates.

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