Survivors: The Secret Safe Havens of Australia’s Megafires with Science at the Local

What happens when an entire landscape burns and yet some places survive?

Join Eli Bendall from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment for a fascinating Science Week journey into the hidden refuges that help bushland and wildlife persist through some of Australia’s most extreme bushfires.

Following the devastating Black Summer fires and increasing climate-driven droughts, scientists are racing to understand why some pockets of the landscape escape the worst impacts of fire. Traditional Owners have long recognised ‘special places’ within the Blue Mountains: refugial areas that are naturally protected from the impacts of drought and fire.   Known as fire refugia, these natural safe havens can act as lifeboats for biodiversity, protecting species, preserving habitat, and helping ecosystems recover after catastrophe.

Drawing on research from the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Eli will share stories from the field, including how researchers identify refugia, what makes these places resilient, and why they may be critical to conserving iconic Australian species in a hotter, more fire-prone future. The talk will explore cutting-edge work from the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) investigating how fire, drought and climate change are reshaping Australia's forests and the species that depend on them.

Expect fire ecology, fascinating fieldwork, surprising discoveries and a fresh perspective on the landscapes that quietly help nature survive.

About Dr Eli Bendall

Dr Eli Bendall is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Plant Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment. His research focuses on how forests respond to fire, drought, and climate change, with a focus on ecosystem resilience, post-fire recovery, and conservation of threatened species. He is a key researcher in the NESP project examining fire and drought refugia in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

When: Wednesday 19 August| 6:15pm-7:30pm

Where: Penrith City Library

Who: Adults/Families

How: Free – Booking essential

Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all. If you require any accommodations to attend this event, please contact 02 47327891.