Webinar: H5N1 Bird Flu and Australian Wildlife
Description
The deadly H5N1 bird flu has arrived in Australia with the potential to greatly disrupt ecosystems and push our most threatened species even closer to extinction.
Australia is the last continent to grapple with this disease, and the Federal Government is coordinating the national response.
Now is the time to publicly share plans, increase surveillance and coordination, and step up federal investment to lessen the impact on Australia’s most at-risk species and ecosystems.
In this interactive webinar, experts will unpack the impacts of bird flu globally and the risk to Australia’s unique birds, mammals and ecosystems. They then will identify urgent actions needed today to improve Australia's response – including deeply engaging Traditional Knowledge Holder Elders in decision making.
The webinar will include a Q&A session.
This webinar is in partnership with the Australian Marine Conservation Society, BirdLife Australia and Invasive Species Council.
Lineup
Your MC is Kate Millar
Kate Millar is the CEO of BirdLife Australia. Prior to commencing at BirdLife in 2023, Kate worked in emergency management and recovery and as a park ranger. With a background in forest science, she is passionate about protecting nature through leadership, collaboration and evidence-based conservation.
Dr Michelle Wille
Dr Michelle Wille, an ARC Future Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Doherty Institute, has researched the ecology and evolution of avian influenza in Australian wild birds and has contributed substantially to Australia’s preparedness and response around highly pathogenic avian influenza, including surveillance.
Dr Tiggy Grillo
Dr Tiggy Grillo is the National Coordinator and COO of Wildlife Health Australia, where she has been working for 15 years to connect people through positive, mutually beneficial partnerships to advance wildlife health and One Health for a healthier future for all.
Shandell Cummings
Shandell Cummings, a Menang woman from Western Australia, is a University of Western Australia academic and artist researching Indigenous-led conservation, traditional ecological knowledge, and two-way science, while teaching Aboriginal Knowledges, and researching and sharing Indigenous fishing practices.
Dr Dale Wright
Dr Dale Wright has worked in biodiversity conservation in Africa and Australia, including managing a large protected area complex in Tanzania, implementing the Important Bird Areas Program in South Africa, and more recently as an environmental consultant supporting nature positive assessment, and teaching and research in environmental science. He currently oversees BirdLife Australia's Science & Priority Landscapes program.
Alexia Wellbelove
Alexia Wellbelove, Campaigns Director at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, has worked in environment and marine conservation for over 25 years in both the UK and Australia. For over a decade, she has campaigned for stronger environment laws, including establishing the Places You Love alliance and securing reform of Australia’s nature laws in 2025.
Jack Gough
Jack Gough, CEO of Invasive Species Council, is an experienced campaigner, policy analyst and environmental advocate who is passionate about the intersection between agriculture and conservation.
FAQs
- How do I access the webinar on the day?
This event will be held via Microsoft Teams. An access link will be delivered in your order confirmation email and reminder emails.
It’s recommended to join via a Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser if you don’t have the Microsoft Teams app installed on your mobile or desktop.
- I don't see the webinar event in my calendar, what do I do?
You can add the event to your calendar (e.g. Gmail, Outlook, Apple) using the add to calendar link found in your order confirmation email after you have registered.
- Will the webinar be recorded?
Yes! If you are not able to attend the live event, the webinar recording will be made available on our website a week or two after broadcast.
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