
EVENT
Species Survival Symposium
Wed, 02 July
|Taronga Institute of Science & Learning
This 2-day Symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, First Nations people, Industry and Government representatives, and other experts and stakeholders in species conservation to tackle the challenges of halting extinctions and driving long-term species recovery.


Time & Location
02 July 2025, 8:30 am AEST – 03 July 2025, 4:30 pm AEST
Taronga Institute of Science & Learning, Taronga Zoo Sydney, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
About This Event
This 2-day event will bring together researchers, practitioners, First Nations people, Industry and Government representatives, and other experts and stakeholders in species conservation to tackle the challenges of halting extinctions and driving long-term species recovery.
Event Rationale
Australia is a mega-diverse country with nearly 700,000 native species, a high proportion of which are endemic and found nowhere else. Colonisation has caused significant biodiversity loss, with Australia’s record on mammal extinctions being the worst in the world. Australia’s biodiversity is facing ongoing and compounding threats from land clearing, pollution, invasive species and climate change. Many of Australia’s native species and distinctive ecological communities are currently listed as threatened or endangered.
In 2024, Australia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan was updated to include 6 national targets to address the drivers of biodiversity decline. A key target is No New Extinctions and includes preventing new extinctions of native species, supporting the recovery of threatened species and maintaining genetic diversity.
Achieving this target will require more collaboration and support for biodiversity conservation, and a transformative shift to a nature-positive society.
Aims and Outcomes
Share research, knowledge, and experience in species conservation across sectors
Listen to First Nations experts, incorporate their perspectives, and support their leadership in healing Country
Explore innovative, collaborative and transformative approaches to removing threats, overcoming barriers, and conserving biodiversity, including partnerships with industry.
Make recommendations for halting biodiversity loss and achieving genetically diverse, long-term species recovery in Australia.
Program
The programming of the event is being guided by a steering committee consisting of:
Elliot Bell – Office of the Threatened Species Commissioner (DCCEEW)
Dr Kira Mileham - IUCN Species Survival Commission
James Biggs - Zoo and Aquarium Association & Centre for Species Survival Australasia
Dr Andy Sheppard - CSIRO & Threatened Species Scientific Committee
Dr Rosie Cooney - Director of Nature Conservation, ACT Government
Andrew Elphinstone - Taronga Conservation Society
Darren Grover - WWF Australia
Bruce Hammond - Bush Heritage Australia
Dr Anne Wignall – IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Oceania Regional Resource Centre
Dylan Pursche - International Environment, UN and IUCN section, DCCEEW
Sarah Terkes - ACIUCN Executive Director
Lisa Malcolm - ACIUCN Programs Manager
View confirmed speakers: https://www.aciucn.org.au/species-survival-symposium
For those interested in sponsoring the event, you can view our Sponsorship Guide
Note: the ticket service fee includes the standard Wix ticketing platform fee and credit card merchant fees. These fees are paid to external vendors, not ACIUCN. Please be advised that these fees are not included in any refunds.
Please email director@aciucn.org.au if you would like to order tickets via invoice or direct deposit.
Tickets
- Sale ends: 16 May, 5:00 pm AEST
Early Bird: General Admission
For all attendees who are not specifically representing ACIUCN Member or Associate organisations. Ticket covers 2 full days of admission to all sessions, plus drinks and meals. Note: ticket price does not include parking at the Zoo.
A$495.00Tax: +A$49.50 GST+A$13.61 ticket service fee - Sale ends: 16 May, 5:00 pm AEST
Early Bird: ACIUCN Members
For individuals representing ACIUCN Member and Associate Organisations. Ticket covers 2 full days of admission to all sessions, plus drinks and meals. Note: ticket price does not include parking at the Zoo.
A$395.00Tax: +A$39.50 GST+A$10.86 ticket service fee
Total
A$0.00