Join key connectivity conservation experts for the first webinar in the Art of Connecting series: We Are Nature: enhancing connections between human and environmental health.

Run by the Conservation Across Large Landscapes Australia New Zealand (CALLANZ) network the webinar series seeks to aid the practice and science of connectivity conservation through the sharing of knowledge, tools and lessons learnt. We Are Nature will focus on the critical connections between human and environmental health and how we can protect, restore and enhance these through conservation.

Hosted by Eamon Nathan, CEO of Reconnecting Northland, the webinar will feature key local and international scientists and on ground practitioners with a broad range of expertise. These include keynote presentations by Tim Christopherson (United Nations Environment Program) and Rereata Makiha along with presentations by Dr Peggy Eby (Planting for Pollinators), Dr Charles Royal (independent researcher), Adam Cross (Global Ecohealth Network) and Tahnee Adamson (ETNTAC).

Presentations will be followed by a Q&A panel session. Recordings of the event will also be available to attendees after the event.

When: 11.00am AEST (9.00am AWST, 1.00pm NZST), 3 June 2021
Where: Zoom webinar

To register visit the Eventbrite page.

Speakers and topics:

Tim Christophersen

Tim Christophersen is the Chief of the Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit at UN Environment, based in Nairobi/Kenya. He coordinates the activities of UN Environment on drylands, mountains, forests, and ecosystem-based climate change mitigation, including the UN-REDD Programme. He manages a global team of forest, private finance and land-use experts in Jakarta, Hanoi, Bangkok, Nairobi, Panama, Geneva and Cambridge.

Presenting: UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Rereata Makiha

Matua Rereata Makiha (Ngāti Whakaheke, Te Aupōuri, Te Arawa) was born and raised in the Hokianga, where he attended Northland College. He studied Social Sciences at Victoria University Wellington and Māori Business at the University of Auckland, where he was awarded the Dean’s Prize. Rereata is a renowned Māori astrologer and a leading authority on the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). He is currently curating pathways to practice ancient traditions within Te Ao Māori. Rereata shares his extensive knowledge as a cultural adviser, having held roles at the Auckland Council as a kaiārahi tikanga Māori and Kaumātua at the University of Auckland Business School. Rereata is a former broadcaster with more than four decades experience as a reporter, news editor, director and television presenter. He has held senior positions at TVNZ, including the Te Karere and Marae programmes, and Māori Television. Rereata will be sharing some thoughts on the core theme of the webinar ‘We are Nature’ from the perspective of kōrero tuku iho (knowledge passed down) and tangata whenuatanga (being human earth).

Presenting: We are nature

Dr Peggy Eby

Dr Peggy Eby is a wildlife ecologist who has studied the ecology and conservation biology of flying foxes in south-eastern Australia for more than 30 years. She uses empirical studies and long-term datasets to explore the behavioural responses of flying-foxes to variable food resources, focusing on migration, patterns of dispersion, and feeding ecology. Her current interests include the role of adaptive behaviours in responses to rapid environmental change, the influences of behavioural modifications on human-bat conflict and disease risk; and the capacity for habitat restoration programs to moderate the impacts of habitat loss. Peggy holds adjunct positions at Griffith University and the University of New South Wales.

Presenting: Planting for pollinators to reduce disease spill over

Dr Charles Royal

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal is an independent researcher of indigenous knowledge (mātauranga Māori) and a freelance composer, musician and storyteller. He is a passionate advocate for ‘indigenous creativity’ and offers research and consultancy services to the public sector and to iwi organisations. He composes music and story for small and large groups and his iwi affiliations are Marutūahu, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngā Puhi.

Presenting: Reconnecting Northland health – Te Kawa Waiora

Dr Adam Cross

Adam is an ecologist with a strong research background and a passion for the natural world. He has authored 60 scientific papers, books and book chapters, and has studied plants and ecosystems on every continent except Antarctica. His current studies focus on the ecological restoration of degraded landscapes, with research interests also including carnivorous plants and the drivers of community resilience to environmental change.

Presenting: Working at the nexus of soil health, human health, and ecological restoration

Tahnee Adamson

Tahnee Adamson is an Esperance Nyungar and Mirning woman. She is currently Operations Manager for Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC) the first point of contact for government and other parties who want to conduct business with Traditional Owners across Esperance Nyungar country, which spans over 30,000 square kilometres of south-western Australia. This includes some of the most biodiverse environments in the world and cultural landscapes of enormous significance. Tahnee was ETNTAC’s first employee in 2016 starting as an administration officer. ETNTAC’s range of programs and services include implementation of a Healthy Country Plan, an Aboriginal Ranger Program, commercial land enterprise services, land management, and community and cultural programs. As Operations Manager, Tahnee works across all areas of the organisation and plays a leading role in administration, asset management, and workforce development of this trailblazing combination of cultural and ecological restoration.

Presenting: Restoring culture and the environment together

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