North Shore Conservation Symposium 2025

North Shore Conservation Symposium 2025

Connect | Learn | Grow | Inspire | Share

Calling all North Shore conservation volunteers! Join us for the North Shore Conservation Symposium — a special afternoon bringing together local restoration groups and volunteers to connect, share ideas, and celebrate our mahi for the environment.

We’re excited to confirm our guest speakers:
• Briar Broad from Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust – talking about local inanga (whitebait) spawning projects.
• Dr Mels Barton from Kauri Rescue – sharing the latest work to protect our kauri from dieback.

There will also be appearances from Park Rangers, making this an afternoon full of interesting insights and local knowledge. Plus, there’s plenty of time to mix and mingle.

Hosted by Restore Hibiscus & Bays, Pest Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society, Pupuke Birdsong Project, Upper Waitematā Ecology Network, Kaipātiki Project, and Restoring Takarunga Hauraki, and funding from Auckland Council Parks team, this event offers the chance to hear engaging talks on local conservation topics, meet like-minded people, and gain practical insights to support your own projects.

Whether you're new to volunteering or a long-time kaitiaki, come along to be inspired, grow your knowledge, and strengthen connections across the North Shore.

Saturday 6th September 2025
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The War Memorial Hall, 7 The Strand, Takapuna

Free to attend – RSVP now!!

The speakers on the day will be Dr. Mels Barton and Briar Broad.

Dr. Mels Barton

An environmental scientist turned coordinator, campaigner, organiser, networker and environmental advocate, Mels works with community organisations and not-for-profits including the Kauri Rescue Trust and The Tree Council. Mels has a degree in Geology and Physical Geography and PhD in estuarine sediment transport processes.

She was a leading member of the Waitākere Rāhui campaign working to support Te Kawerau ā Maki and has been campaigning for better management and awareness of kauri dieback disease since it was discovered in Piha in 2006.

Mels runs her own consultancy business Subliminal Ltd, which enables her to work on many environmental projects including Seaweek, and the citizen science initiatives Kauri Rescue and Marine Metre Squared.

Briar Broad, Mountains to Sea

Briar is a freshwater ecologist with a Master of Environmental Science degree from University of Auckland, specialising in macroinvertebrates. She is passionate about connecting communities—especially tamariki—with te taiao, and enjoys in īnanga spawning assessments and community-based freshwater monitoring. With over ten years of not-for-profit experience, she manages the Auckland freshwater team by advising on strategies and ensuring Auckland projects have a lasting impact.

The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, originally Nga Maunga ki te Moana, began in Northland in 2001. It has since grown into a national leader in conservation, environmental education, and community-driven restoration. The Trust's mission is to protect and connect New Zealand’s freshwater and marine environments, fostering conservation through education and community engagement.