Island Arks Symposium: Keynote speakers announced!

Kangaroo Island Landscape Board Chair Andrew Heinrich said the Symposium boasts an impressive line-up of keynote speakers and presentations from diverse backgrounds, including land management, conservation, ecology, and Indigenous knowledge. Their collective expertise promises a rich and engaging experience for all attendees, providing valuable insights and perspectives.

"The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board is proud to host the eighth Island Arks Symposium, a significant event that is attracting land managers and attendees from across the Pacific," Mr Heinrich said.

"There is an impressive line-up of keynote speakers as well as 30 presentations from Islands in the Asia Pacific region, including Dirk Hartog Island, Phillip Island, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Flinders Island, Sir Edward Pellew Archipelago, Tasmania, Tiwi Islands and of course, Kangaroo Island," he said.

"The presentations will cover a wide range of topics, from Indigenous land management practices, sustainable primary production innovations to the latest technological innovations in conservation, providing a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future direction of island conservation," he said.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

DR NICK BERRY

Founder and Director of Research and Development at the company Seed Terminator

Dr Nick Berry has a self-confessed 'laser focus'. Having grown up on a grain- and wool-production farm on Kangaroo Island and followed a lifelong passion for mechanical engineering, he has spent over a decade working towards one goal: helping farmers feed the world sustainably.

As the visionary behind Seed Terminator, he is personally committed to empowering farmers with cutting-edge technology that enhances agricultural efficiency and sustainability. His journey is driven by a vision to revolutionise farming practices, ensuring the next generation inherits a healthier, more fertile earth.

TIAHNI ADAMSON

2024 South Australian - Young Australian of the Year

Tiahni Adamson is a Kaurareg woman and a passionate wildlife conservation biologist. She is a proponent for the participation of First Nations people and women in STEM careers. She was recognised as one of Science and Technology Australia's Superstars of STEM and an InDaily South Australian 40 Under 40 for 2023.

Tiahni has worked with the CSIRO on Indigenous education programs, trained under Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader in 2019, works as a casual lecturer and tutor at the University of South Australia, and was a youth dialogue member for the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Tiahni is currently working to mitigate agricultural methane through sustainable aquaculture production of native seaweed in her role as the Lead Community Engagement Officer at CH4Global, finding ways to walk alongside Traditional Owners while Healing the Country. She is also on the board of Green Adelaide, helping to create a cooler, greener and wilder greater Adelaide region.

TISHIKO KING

Ocean and Climate Advocate

Tishiko King is a proud Kulkalaig woman from the Island of Masig and Badugal of Themu Clan in the Torres Straits and is an Ocean and Climate Advocate. In addition to her advocacy in climate, Tish works with the Philanthropic sector to redistribute wealth back into First Nations communities for economic justice and self-determination.

Based in Naarm/Melbourne, Tish is spirited about sharing culture and amplifying social inequality and the rights of First Nations people. With studies in Ocean Science and lived experiences in the mineral and exploration industry, Tish continues to be involved in grassroots organisations, supporting the Our Islands Our Home campaign led by Torres Strait Island people and advocating for Torres Strait Island Climate Justice.

Collaborating with like-minded folks to shift the dial, Tish is a member of the Australian Museum Climate Solutions Centre Advisory Group, current Board Director for Divers for Climate, She Changes Climate Ambassador, and Patagonia Aus/NZ Ocean and First Nations Ambassador.

KAURNA FIRESTICKS TEAM

Custodians of Our Communities and Countries

Hear from the Kaurna Firesticks Team, including Quahli Newchurch, Clem Newchurch and Paul Dixon. Firesticks is a national Indigenous network that empowers communities to protect and enhance their Country and wellbeing by reviving Cultural knowledge practices. They demonstrate the value of Indigenous land management and knowledge systems through mentoring, training, and advocacy.

Firesticks has supported 35 communities over ten years to restore the cultural wellbeing and identity of their Country while battling climate change and environmental disorder. Communities across the nation are leading the way in managing their own regions through Cultural Fire, providing opportunities for future generations.

JO RITCHIE

Natural Logic Environmental Management

Jo resides in the Kaipara Hills, a sheep and beef farming area about one and a half hours northwest of Auckland. Jo has worked in the broader land management and conservation area, mainly in communities and on islands, since 1988.

Jo is a confessed expert in nothing but a willing learning of everything. She loves the land she lives in and on and wants it to be a better place for the next generation, so she is on a journey to motivate, inspire confidence in and teach others how to make a difference.

Jo's heritage is important to her. Jo's grandfather was a kaumatua (elder) of Te Atiawa from Taranaki. He instilled in Jo a love for the land and its plants and animals. He was a peacemaker, and the older Jo gets, the more important she sees this to be as we battle away with divergent opinions on how we should manage the land when we just need to chill, think smart, and divert the energy into collective action to reconnect people with the land.

FIELD TRIP

This year, the Symposium's field trip will focus on the tools, methods and activities that make up the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board's (KILB) Feral Cat Eradication Program, the most extensive program of its type in the southern hemisphere.

KILB has introduced a new suite of cutting-edge technology to eradicate feral cats from the Dudley Peninsula, including artificial intelligence (AI) for image recognition as well as geospatial technology for real-time trap checking. There are over 600 cage traps linked to a Celium network which allows traps to be monitored in near real-time. The KILB feral cat team also deploy thermal optics, and drones as part of a targeted shooting program to eliminate feral cats.

KILB spent the summer months installing more cage traps with improved monitoring, which alerts the team when a trap is triggered. This technology has increased the program's efficiency by more than 70%, as only triggered traps need to be checked, allowing the team to open more traps, cover much larger areas with less staff, and focus on using other specialist control tools to remove harder-to-trap feral cats.

Trapping will continue until mid to late spring when temperatures warm and cage traps become less effective.

The team will then shift its focus to applying tools and techniques that are more effective during the warmer months, including soft jaw leg hold traps, Felixer grooming traps, specially trained cat detection dogs, and a targeted shooting program using drones and thermal optics at night to detect cats. During the productive winter, KILB also works with 35 Dudley Peninsula landholders participating in an Agriculture Kangaroo Island-supported community trapping program.

This year, KILB has set up a 'Feline Hotline' for Dudley Peninsula residents to 'Call in a Cat' on 0459 952 830. Rapid reporting from residents on the Dudley Peninsula allows the team to target cats using various tools.

REGISTRATION INLCUDES:

Conference registration includes:

• Access to all sessions
• A ticket to the welcome function on 26 August 2024
• All morning and afternoon teas and lunches catered by Kangaroo Island's premium food producers
• Access to the Field Trip focused on feral cat eradication on Kangaroo Island on 28 August 2024
• A ticket to the symposium dinner on 28 August 2024 at the Kangaroo Island Brewery

SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR KANGAROO ISLAND RESIDENTS

Kangaroo Island residents are encouraged to register for the Symposium to receive the discounted rate of $200.00 by emailing event coordinator Sarah Kemp at sarahkemp@smartfuture.com.au or telephone 0417 805 899.

KI resident registrations include access to all 30 presentations, a ticket to the welcome function on 26 August 2024, all morning and afternoon teas and lunches catered by Kangaroo Island's premium food producers, and access to the Field Trip focused on feral cat eradication on Kangaroo Island on 28 August 2024.

ORGANISING YOUR VISIT TO KANGAROO ISLAND

BY AIR: Qantas operates commercial flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. For more information, please visit www.qantas.com

BY SEA: SeaLink operates a consistent passenger/vehicle ferry service between Cape Jervis on mainland Australia and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Cape Jervis is approximately 90 minutes drive from Adelaide. Please note: Passengers travelling by ferry are encouraged to arrive at the terminal for check-in at least 30 minutes before departure. For more information, please visit www.sealink.com.au/kangaroo-island.

DISCOUNT ACCOMMODATION

The Aurora Ozone Hotel is the accommodation partner for the Symposium, and they offer attendees discounted accommodation and buffet breakfast rates. Located on the Kingscote seafront, it is a short 5-minute walk to the Symposium venue. To access these rates book directly with the Hotel by calling 08 8553 2011 and request a room being held for the Island Ark Symposium. Please have available contact and credit card details at time of booking. Standard booking terms apply, this offer is available until 26 July so book now to avoid missing out.

For more information about the Island Arks Symposium VII and to register, please visit www.islandarksymposium.com.