An ark of experts gather on Phillip Island

THE official opening of the seventh Island Ark symposium was held on Monday, September 5 at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Visitors Centre.

The event gave attendees the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers about the challenges and opportunities for island conservation. 

The Bunurong Land Council formally opened the weeklong event with Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, followed by speeches from Chair of Phillip Island Nature Parks Board of

Management, Kevin Love and Conservation Manager of Phillip Island Nature Parks, Jessica McKelson. 

“This year’s theme is about partnering for land, sea and coast and it has been selected to recognise the significance of partnerships that effectively manage the natural and cultural values of our islands, surrounding seas and coastlines,” said Jessica. 

“We are all here (today) because we have a deep affection with conserving these values, and I see this symposium as an excellent opportunity for us to share our collective knowledge.” 

Throughout the afternoon, Jessica shared her knowledge and experiences of working in conservation and the time in which she realised that similar island practices are globally shared. 

“The natural and cultural values - with up most respect are connecting and harnessing our community and were using this depth of knowledge and wisdom of our custodians that have for thousands of years understood the true connection to country,” said Jessica. 

“It was based with these fundamental values that the nature parks developed its first 30-year conservation vision - beyond the horizon and it’s aimed to build resilience, adapt and evolve our approach and methodology to meet the challenges ahead of us.” 

Over the course of the week experts presented their research and offered their knowledge and suggestions to better protect the islands into the future. 

The first keynote speaker, Dr Mark Norman, spoke on the challenges and opportunities for island conservation, speaking on the urgency of climate change and identifying critical issues on surrounding coastlines in Victoria - raising the RAD (Resist – Accept – Direct) framework to take urgent action. 

“This concept is about thinking in a different mindset about uncertain and different futures for our animals and the environment; it’s not about waiting for a ten-year study, or a 95 per cent confidence vote because doing nothing is a decision, we need to bring the community along with us, bring in the politicians and leverage the resources for action,” said Dr Mark Norman. 

“The RAD framework allows us to have hope, turning our energy to something that has a long-term benefit – this is urgent, so 20-year strategies seem really, really long and are totally inappropriate.”