As part of Conservation Week 2007, to be held from March 17 to 25, the Conservation Council of WA is holding its state conference, as well as a celebration dinner to announce the 2007 Conservation Award winners. The council’s state conference will be held on March 17 and 18, at the State Library of WA in Northbridge. The first day of the conference will consist of two keynote addresses followed by three sessions on the topics of climate change, water and biodiversity. Guest speakers include: Prof Peter Bridgewater – secretary general, Ramsar Convention; Dr Paul Collins – religious commentator, author and historian; Dr Ray Wills – chair, Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association; Matthew Rosser – managing director, Blair Fox Generation WA; Peter Newman – professor of city policy and director of the Institute for Sustainability and Technology, Murdoch University; Kevin Kamps from the Nuclear Information and Resources Service in Washington, the US; and Dr John Bailey – chairman, Conservation Commission. The second day of the conference will be a choice of two field trips, to allow participants to experience the impact of climate change already evident in our local environments. Following are the two trips participants can chose from: Water & Wetlands – visit wetlands in the north metropolitan region and Yanchep National Park to look at the impacts of falling water levels on the biodiversity of limestone caves. Biodiversity – visit Naragebup Rockingham Regional Environmental Centre and join scientists to look at the impacts of climate change on some of the areas critically endangered wetland communities, including Lake Richmond and Point Peron. The council is also hosting a dinner on March 17 to celebrate the council’s 40 years in existence and to announce the 2007 Conservation Award winners. This dinner will be held at 7pm at the state library. Full registration for the conference and dinner costs $130 for council affiliated groups and supporters and $275 for the general public. Tickets to the dinner are also sold separately for $55. For more information contact the council on 9420 7266 or email conswa@conservationwa.asn.au.
