The 6th annual Symposium of Contemporary Conservation Practice was held in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal last week.
The purpose of this years’ conference was to explore the practice, science and value of nature conservation and to chart a renewed path towards addressing conservation challenges of the current era.
The Symposium is an initiative of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) in partnership with WILDLANDS, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the Environmental Law Association, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Zululand.
The link between conservation implementation and research is critical to effectively achieve conservation outcomes. The Symposium of Contemporary Conservation Practice is a key event which provides a unique platform for both partnerships and synergies to develop in both fields.
“This symposium is not just a science forum. The scope focuses on conservation in its full context, which includes governance, science, management, decision-making, stake-holder engagement and the assessment of the effectiveness of efforts and interventions,” Said Bheki Khoza, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Dr Roelie Kloppers, WILDLANDS Executive Director, says that the Symposium has always been an important platform for analysing both the evolution of environmental and social challenges and the responses that have been developed to address them. “While our focus has traditionally been limited to the terrestrial environment, this year we launched a new marine programme aptly called WILDOCEANS. Through our integrated approach we hope to better understand the impact of our actions in the terrestrial zone on our marine environment, and, to develop effective strategies for dealing with negative impacts of human actions on our oceans.”
WILDOCEANS’ participation, led by Dr Jean Harris, brought students from the Ocean Stewards programme, a research platform that allows Marine Biology students mentorship and exposure to practical marine conservation. These students were given the opportunity to present their research to all in attendance throughout the duration of the Symposium.
WILDLANDS, once again, sponsored the KZN Premiers Award presented to Nantale Nsibirwa for her work – which identified critical source areas and transport pathways of diffused pollution in the Umgeni catchment. Samantha Hofmeyr was awarded the runner up prize for her work on the impacts of scuba diver activity on the coral reefs of Sodwana Bay. Both received funding to attend any relevant international (winner) and national (runner up) conference in the next 12 months respectively.
When asked how she felt about winning the Premiers Award Nsibirwa said: “Winning this award came as a surprise to me. It took a while to sink in and I am truly honoured!”
“We would like to thank our patron, Dr George Hughes who together with Dr Michelle Tedder and our dear friend and conservation legend, Roger Porter, all assisted in judging the student presentations for the award,” said Kloppers. “In my view the real value of the award does not lie only in the opportunity for the winning student to attend an international conference, but in getting input from an extremely knowledgeable and respected panel.”
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)