The SCB Asia Section Board recently held its a training workshop on conservation policy, and invited Oceania board members Richard Kingsford and Megan Evans to share their experiences from working on policy initiatives in our region: SCB Asia board members from around the region, and Chapter representatives from Thailand, Korea, Iran, Bangladesh, and Indonesia came together to participate in … Continue reading Helping to develop capacity in conservation policy in Asia
Big Ideas: What should development in Northern Australia look like?
What should development in Northern Australia look like? The new 'food bowl'? Turning the rivers inland? There are grand dreams about developing the 'north'. But what is the real untapped potential of Northern Australia? Earlier this year, at the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania Congress we hosted an expert panel to discuss these issues. The event was … Continue reading Big Ideas: What should development in Northern Australia look like?
Scientists’ Declaration on Accelerating forest, woodland and grassland destruction in Australia released at SCBO 2016
On Friday, scientists from across the world, in conjunction with scientific societies and the delegates of the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania Conference, called upon Australian governments and parliaments, especially those of Queensland and New South Wales, to take action. We called for the prevention of a return to the damaging past of high rates of woodland and forest destruction, in order to protect the unique biodiversity and marine environments of which Australia is sole custodian.
Queensland moves to control land clearing: other states need to follow
Queensland’s land clearing has yet again become a national issue. After laws were relaxed under the then Liberal-National state government in 2013, land-clearing rates tripled, undermining efforts to conserve wildlife and reduce carbon emissions.
SCBO opposes EPBC Act amendment
This week, the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee recommended the repeal of Section 487 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. This amendment would prevent individuals and community groups from seeking judicial review of decisions under the EPBC Act. The inquiry attracted 292 formal submissions, with most opposed to the repeal … Continue reading SCBO opposes EPBC Act amendment
Policy submissions, September 2015
In addition to preparing our own policy statements, SCBO frequently signs or authors policy statements relating to issues that we think are important to our membership. Here are two recent contributions: Review of Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030 Comments on the National Biodiversity Strategy Secretariat's five-year review of Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. SCBO’s key concern … Continue reading Policy submissions, September 2015
Freshwater policy statement released
The Society for Conservation Biology in Oceania has release its first Conservation Science Statement, focusing on the plight of freshwater biodiversity in New Zealand. The report, prepared by conservation biologists in New Zealand, provides a background to our current understanding of the science for freshwater ecosystems in New Zealand and then goes on make recommendations on how to protect these declining systems for future generations.
Recent policy submissions
In addition to preparing our own policy statements, SCBO frequently signs or authors policy statements relating to issues that we think are important to our membership. Here are three recent contributions: Science Statement of Support for a Network of Marine Reserves welcoming the Western Australian State Government’s commitment to create a Great Kimberley Marine Park … Continue reading Recent policy submissions