2022 Bird Haven Festival Conference

The 2022 Bird Haven Festival Conference at Shoalhaven Heads will bring some of our eminent scientists and leaders in bird conservation to the NSW South Coast. This will be an ideal opportunity to hear ornithologists and researchers speak about their work and the ecology of some of our bird species. 

The Conference speakers will include:

Keynote speaker - Professor David Lindenmayer AO - Professor of Ecology and Conservation Biology at The Australian National University’s Fenner School of Environment and Society - David's work on wildlife conservation and biodiversity has, for many years, led world research in this area and has been recognised through numerous awards, including the Eureka Science Prize (three times) and the Whitley Award (seven times). David will talk about how healthy natural assets underpin farm productivity and landscape resilience and the role played by farmers, Landcarers, natural resource agencies and birds.

Alison Russell-French OAM - Chair Australasian Waders Studies Group and former President of Birds Australia - Alison will talk about how the East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership and inter-governmental collaboration is working to protect migratory shorebirds along the flyway.

Dr Alex Maisey - Research Fellow with La Trobe's Research Centre for Future Landscapes - Alex will talk about the impact of the 2019/20 megafires on the Superb Lyrebird and its role as an ecosystem engineer in south-east Australia’s temperate forests.

Dr Catherine Price - ARC Discovery Early Career Research Fellow with the University of Sydney's School of Life & Environmental Sciences - Catherine will explain a novel approach to bird conservation by fooling predators to leave bird nests alone through the use of fake odour. 

Dr David Bain, Senior Threatened Species Officer, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and Emily Bradstock, Honours student, University of Wollongong - David will talk about the many translocations of Eastern Bristlebirds, including the most recent from Jervis Bay to Wilson’s Promontory after the bushfires, while Emily will cover her research into variations in song of this endangered species.

Members of the Aboriginal Advisory Group for the 'Healthy Country Plan for Glossy Black-Cockatoos' project will explain how they are developing Aboriginal-led actions to address current and future threats for this threatened species.

The conference will be opened by Fiona Phillips MP, the Member for Gilmore, with a Welcome to Country by Jerrinja elder, Delia Lowe.

Lunch and morning and afternoon tea/coffee will be provided. Any dietary requirements need to be provided when you register.

The presentations will start at 11am with registration from 10.30am.