In August we hosted the Second Workshop on Catalyzing Cross-boundary Conservation in the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas, which was the continuation of the first workshop held in Nepal back in April. The workshops were led by Salit Kark and Dibesh Karmacharya.

Our colleagues from Nepal and India gave inspiring presentations of cross-disciplinary work focusing on wildlife conservation and human well-being, human-wildlife conflict, novel technologies, social entrepreneurship, public health and other areas. We followed by working groups discussions of the conservation challenges and opportunities for cross-boundary collaboration in the Himalayas and Indian subcontinent.

In March 2010 an international workshop on science-based conservation and conservation-oriented science took place in Israel.The international workshop was aimed at:

• Discussing avenues for global science-based conservation of biodiversity and keys for success
• Understanding and examining models of cooperation between science, policy formulation and conservation practice, including modes of operation and terms of communication
• Assessing applicability of models to Israel
• Providing a brainstorming opportunity to forge the way forward in establishing long-term connections between conservation science, policy and practice.

The international workshop was attended by leading figures in the field of conservation science from the US, Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. The workshop focused on ideas and avenues for developing future generations of conservation specialists by establishing teaching, funding and research programs that will place Israel as a world leader in the fields of biodiversity conservation research, practice and policy.

Workshop Speakers

The workshop included an open conference day with lectures by invited guests. Click on speakers to watch their presentation.

Prof. Luigi Boitani: University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy & Society for Conservation Biology- President
Science and conservation of large carnivores in Europe

Dr. Tom Brooks: Nature serve & Conservation International, USA
The alliance for zero extinction: conservation targets, investment priorities, and local action

Dr. Salit Kark: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Science-Based Conservation: Achievements, Gaps and Challenges

Prof. Hugh Possingham: The University of Queensland, Australia
Does science change government policy and management? Examples from Down Under

Dr. Liana Joseph: The University of Queensland, Australia. New Zealand Department of Conservation
Prioritising management for threatened species recovery in Australia and New Zealand

Dr. Richard Maloney The University of Queensland, Australia. New Zealand Department of Conservation

Belinda Mellish The University of Queensland, Australia. New Zealand Department of Conservation

Dr. Eric Sanderson: The Wildlife Conservation Society, USA
Mapping human influence on the biosphere in the 21st century

Prof. Uriel Safriel The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

Dr. James Watson: The University of Queensland, Australia
Turning systematic conservation planning tools into action

Dr. Belinda Reyers: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa
Conservation planning and practice in South Africa

Downloads

Summary of academic programs that link science, environment and policy, by Tessa Mazor

Speaker bios and feedback

Planning an Israeli Platform for Science-based Biodiversity Conservation – Final Report of Outputs

Interim Report and Summary Brochure

Workshop run by the Department of Evolution, Systematics, and Ecology, The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Aims

This large-scale initiative aims to bridge the gap between conservation science, policy and decision making in Israel.
The working group commenced activity in October 2009 with a team from a range of academic, governmental and non-governmental organizations. The objectives of the initiative are:

• • To strengthen the links between scientists, practitioners and policy makers in the areas of biodiversity conservation and promote science-based conservation in Israel
  • To enhance communication between the major stakeholders in Israel’s biodiversity and conservation arena
  • To build partnerships and improve communication between scientists and decision makers
  • To develop a successful platform that promotes the co-operation of people within the biodiversity conservation arena in Israel
  • Ultimately, to improve the ability to sustain and protect Israel’s unique and rich biodiversity.

This workshop aimed to bring together experts involved with conservation planning of the Mediterranean Sea, in order to inform each other about ongoing projects and future collaborations. Due to the novelty of conservation planning in this area and importance of implementing conservation measures, this workshop provided an opportunity to collaborate and advance current conservation research efforts and programs. The objective was to emerge from the workshop with expanded knowledge, enhanced cooperation between researchers and countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and clear goals for future projects and partnerships.

Find out more about this workshop here.

This workshop aimed to bring together experts involved with conservation planning of the Mediterranean Sea, in order to inform each other about ongoing projects and future collaborations. Due to the novelty of conservation planning in this area and importance of implementing conservation measures, this workshop provided an opportunity to collaborate and advance current conservation research efforts and programs. The objective was to emerge from the workshop with expanded knowledge, enhanced cooperation between researchers and countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and clear goals for future projects and partnerships.

In April 2015, Associate Professor Simonetta Fraschetti (University of Selanto, Italy) and Associate Professor Salit Kark co-chaired the Third International conference/workshop in Lecce, Italy. The workshop was the third of a series of workshops that Kark initiated and has led since 2012 with colleugues aimed at advancing conservation in the Mediterranean region through science and collaboration with policy makers. We are currently working on the papers resulting from the workshop and a summary from the Lecce workshop can be found in the link: here.

This workshop was hosted at the University of Queensland. Several Parks and collaborators were in attendance to discuss the conservation and management of Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean between Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Norfolk Island is inhabited by a substantial number of endemic flora and fauna.

February 2016Threatened Species Recovery Hub WorkshopSaving Species on Australian Islands- Failures, successes and lessons learned