A forum to be held in Brisbane in September has been planned to ignite a conversation between rural landholders and conservationists about what future fire management of the landscape should look like, to not only conserve important species but also to produce food and fibre for a growing population.
The Australian landscape has been formed by fire for millennia. The arrival of Europeans altered land use and traditional management regimes.
Recent global warming and increasing populations in fire-risk zones pose new challenges along with potential conflicts between agricultural production and conservation.
The Royal Society of Queensland and The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland have organised a public forum on the fire management in the Australian landscape with a leading panel of speakers to present some critical perspectives on the management of fire in the landscape.
It will also address some critical questions including:
- Is the knowledge of the past appropriate for the future?
- What do we know, what do we need to know, and what science do we need to develop appropriate landscape policy?”
- How do we balance the values and needs of different stakeholders in managing fire in today’s landscape?
Speakers who will bring different perspectives to this important subject include:
A view from academia
Professor Patrick Moss, Head, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, QUT.
A view from the coal face
Alistair Hartley, National fire program officer for Bush Heritage Australia.
Balancing policy and practice
Lee Johnson, Former Fire Commissioner Qld and founding member of emerging leaders for climate action
The forum will be chaired by Iraphne Childs, Royal Geographical Society of Queensland, and Charles Nason, Royal Society of Queensland.
All are welcome – the cost is $5 for Royal Society of Queensland and The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland members and $10 for the general public, while students can attend free of charge.
The proceedings can also be followed via Zoom, which is free RSQ and RGSQ members and free for the general public.
The RSVP date is Wednesday September 18.
DATE Friday 20 September, 2024
TIME 1-5pm Please arrive by 12.30 for registration
VENUE Gregory Place, RGSQ Level 1 /28 Fortescue St, Spring Hill
More information and ticket bookings online or download flyer here