In light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (SCBO) has taken the decision to delay all planned in person events for 2020, including our joint HCA-SCBO conference and Earth Optimism Australia event, until 2021.
The safety of our members and public attendees is at the foremost of our decision making. However, we wish to remain connected during this time and will therefore host virtual events on or around the planned dates of our 2020 events. Please watch for event specific announcements and follow our social media so you can continue to be part of the conversation.
Joint Statement from HCA and SCBO regarding postponement of 2020 conference
The 2020 Ola Ka ʻĀina Momona: Managing for Abundance Conference was originally planned to be a Pacific-wide conference hosted jointly by the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance (Alliance) and the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (SCBO). The Conference planning team has been closely tracking the COVID-19 pandemic and, in response to science-based public health advice as well as travel restrictions, we have determined that an international conference will not be wise or feasible this year. The Alliance will continue to plan a Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference for September 1 – 3 2020 and is currently exploring options for an in-person or virtual conference. Authors and potential attendees will be polled in the coming days to help inform critical decisions that the Alliance will make in coming weeks regarding the logistics of this Conference. The Society for Conservation Biology Hawaiʻi Chapter has kindly offered to continue to work on the planning team. The Alliance and SCBO plan to work on a joint conference for the Pacific conservation community in 2021. We wish all the best for our Pacific communities and conservation organizations and agencies as we face new challenges.
Statement regarding postponement of Earth Optimism event at Taronga Zoo
Following current public health advice we have chosen to move our Earth Optimism 2020 event, to be hosted in collaboration with Taronga, to a virtual event. We will take the opportunity on Earth Day to share relevant Earth Optimism stories via Facebook and Twitter. We will delay our in person public event. Watch for announcements around exact dates and times.