Hunter Estuary Shorebird Seminar
1 — 5 PM Thursday 17 November 2011
Hunter Wetlands Centre Sandgate Road Shortland
The Hunter Estuary
- a mosaic of land tenures and management priorities from conservation to industry
- a Ramsar listed wetland of international significance
- 31 species of migratory shorebirds protected by international treaties
- 12 species of shorebirds protected by the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
Objectives of this seminar
Develop knowledge, understanding and capacity for land managers to protect
shorebirds in the Hunter Estuary.
Who should attend?
Land Managers, Environmental Managers and Natural Asset Managers with sites located on the Hunter Estuary, and consultants providing environmental services in the estuary.
Bookings
Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia: 02 4951 6466, email hwca@wetlands.org.au
Payment
$45 per person by cheque or credit card at time of booking or cash on the day.
Shorebirds welcomed by scientific seminar
Every year, thousands of shorebirds make their epic annual journey from Siberia, Alaska and China to the Hunter Estuary. One species, the Bar-tailed Godwit, makes the longest non-stop journey of any animal in the world, flying up to 11,800 km across the Pacific in a single flight.
To mark the arrival of migratory shorebirds, WetlandCare Australia is hosting a scientific seminar with speakers addressing conservation and management issues.
The seminar is being convened by WetlandCare Australia’s new Hunter Region Coordinator Louise Duff.
WetlandCare Australia has been funded by the NSW Environmental Trust to undertake a 2-year project to protect the Hunter’s shorebirds. This project will be launched at the seminar and will include fox control, vegetation management, community education and bird and fox monitoring.
‘Here in the Hunter Estuary we have a busy shipping port located alongside a Ramsar listed wetland of international value. Some of the most important shorebird habitats are constructed wetlands, giving hope that industry and conservation can work together with thoughtful planning and management’ said Ms Duff.
‘Government, commercial groups and community conservationists all have a role to play in shorebird conservation. Management of the Hunter Estuary has the potential to showcase successful cooperation.’
The seminar will give land managers, environmental managers and consultants the chance to learn about shorebird ecology and management.
WetlandCare Australia is the leading national not-for-profit wetland conservation organisation, dedicated to supporting every Australian to protect and restore our precious wetlands. Hunter Environmental Institute and the University of Newcastle’s Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment are supporting presentation of the seminar.
More information:
Louise Duff
Hunter Region Coordinator, WetlandCare Australia
0432 688775
Chris Herbert of the Hunter Bird Observers Club has been studying shorebirds in the estuary for 12 years and will speak at the Shorebird Seminar.