5 August 2011
Rotorua to Host National Ecological Conference
The national conference of the New Zealand Ecological Society (NZES) returns to Rotorua in late August for the first
time since 1982.
“Rotorua is a great destination for anyone interested in ecology and we are excited to have the conference here for the
NZES 60th anniversary,” says Conference Coordinator Willie Shaw.
The conference, this year named Ecology in the Heartland, has a strong focus on topics directly relevant to Rotorua and
the central North Island, particularly in relation to ecological restoration, plantation forestry, forest ecology and
freshwater ecology and management.
“Rotorua is home to a diverse range of ecological environments and will provide attendees with great opportunities to
see and experience real ecological issues,” says Mr Shaw.
The conference being held at the Energy Events Centre has ten keynote speakers including some from America and
Australia, and more than 150 papers are to be presented.
Keynote speakers include Professor Donald Strong from the University of California, Dr Tim Brodribb from the University
of Tasmania, Jan Wright - the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, and Professor Corey Bradshaw from the
University of Adelaide.
Ruud Kleinpaste, otherwise known as the bug man, will present as an after dinner speaker at Ecology in the Heartland.
The New Zealand Ecological Society promotes the study of ecology and the application of ecological knowledge in all of
its aspects.
For more information view the conference website www.nzecologyconference2011.com
ENDS