Bushfire Conference 2021
Due to COVID-19, our Biennial Bushfire Conference scheduled for May 2020 was postponed. We now have a new date for your diaries:
Tuesday 4th of May - Wednesday 5th of May 2021
We will keep you informed throughout the coming months including any changes due to pandemic restrictions to ensure the safety of you and our wider community. Stay tuned for more information to come.
Contact: (02) 9516 0359 or NCCBushfireConference@nature.org.au - email us at this address to subscribe to the conference mailing list.
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Dear NCC Bushfire Conference supporters,
In light of public health advice on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) we are unfortunately postponing the Nature Conservation Council of NSW’s Bushfire Conference scheduled for the 19-20th May 2020 at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre in Sydney until next May 2021 (date to be confirmed). We have made this decision for the safety of our delegates and to assist in safeguarding the wider community. The rationale for deferral to May 2021 is primarily due to the uncertainty about the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the potential for bushfires to cause disruption to presenters and delegates during the 2020-21 fire season.
We recognise that many people were anticipating that this “Cool, warm, hot: the burning questions” conference would provide an important opportunity to discuss and learn at first hand ways to better understand and manage the effects of fire in our cherished environment, particularly after the recent devastating fire season. The conference will still act as a valuable platform, with additional time for recovery, reflection and learnings from the fires to be shared in May 2021.
All ticket holders should have received refunds and we have been in contact with anyone who submitted an abstract, if we have not contacted you, please get in touch.
We will keep you all informed of updates for the NCC Bushfire Conference 2021.
We understand that this is a challenging time for all, and we wish you, your family and the community you work and live with a safe time during the intervening period.
For any further queries or concerns please contact Evelyn or Lucy at BushfireConf2020@nature.org.au, (02) 9516 0359
Look forward to seeing you all in 2021,
The NCC Bushfire Program Team
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The NSW Nature Conservation Council's Bushfire Program is hosting it's 12th Biennial Bushfire Conference, 'Cool, Warm Hot: the burning questions', to bring together academics, agencies, Traditional Owners, practitioners and communities to explore how different fire intensities can influence ecosystems and communities in a changing climate.
Date: POSTPONED (old dates: Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th of May, 2020. A Field Day will be held on Thursday the 21st of May).
Location: NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre at 37 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW.
Ticket details: POSTPONED
Confirmed speakers include:
- Minister for Planning and Environment Matt Kean
- Former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW Greg Mullins
- Professor Lesley Hughes (Macquarie Uni. and Climate Council)
- Professor Philip Gibbons (ANU)
- Dr Tein McDonald (Australian Association of Bush Regenerators)
- Dr Mark Ooi (UNSW)
- Dr Philip Zylstra (Curtin Uni.)
- Professor David Lindenmayer (ANU)
- Emeritus Professor and author Bill Gammage (ANU)
- Professor Andrew Bennett (La Trobe Uni.)
Sponsorship: Please contact the Bushfire team to discuss sponsorship opportunities, including stalls.
Contact: (02) 9516 0359 or BushfireConf2020@nature.org.au - email us at this address to subscribe to the conference mailing list.
Facebook/Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/events/969335156768481/ #NCCFireConf2020
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Draft Program
Day One (Tuesday 19th) will introduce the themes of Cool, Warm and Hot with a welcoming address by the Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean and an overview of the latest fire season by leading agencies. The first session will explore cool burns and the role of indigenous burning in a warming world. The afternoon session will start to unravel the complexities of medium intensity fire, what is working and where we can improve.
A poster and drinks session will be open to all immediately following the last presentation of day one on site.
Day Two (Wednesday 20th) will continue the discussion of warm fire from the previous day, before leading into the hot session where we will discuss the latest fire season and other hot fires. The day will conclude with a panel discussion on where to next.
A Conference Dinner (Tuesday 19th, 6:30-10pm) will provide an opportunity to meet speakers from the conference, researchers, practitioners and colleagues from across the industry. A buffet style dinner will be held at Albie's restaurant located on Level One, 28 Albion Street, Surry Hills (Rydges Hotel) and will include one house drink.
Field Day (Thursday 21st). Following the conference join us for a field day within the Sydney basin (location tbc). The day will provide a chance to see and discuss with local experts some of the fire management and environmental issues of cool, warm and hot fire raised during the conference in a practical setting. Topics will include further exploration of the conference subthemes, with local examples. Includes morning tea, lunch and bus transport to field location. Expected finish time 5pm to Sydney city (at the latest). All welcome, with first priority provided to NCC Bushfire Management Committee representatives. Full details to be released soon.
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Call for Abstracts
Due to the extreme bushfire season, we have decided to extended the abstract submission deadline.
How to Submit an Abstract
Abstract Submission Form
Presentations will investigate the effects of low, medium and high intensity fires on the four sub-themes: climate change; fire ecology; ferals, weeds and restoration; and community resilience. The conference will examine how to incorporate and respond to cool, warm and hot fires in fire management as part of an optimal fire regime to achieve multiple objectives for biodiversity and cultural values, hazard reduction objectives and community resilience.
Building on themes from previous conferences, we will continue to showcase scientific research, current practices, on-ground projects and cultural burning to highlight lessons from across a range of ecosystems and communities. This conference is an opportunity to contribute to discussions on best fire management practices to help protect, support and restore biodiversity, ecosystems and communities.
Each application should nominate a key theme of Cool, Warm or Hot and also address at least one of the four sub-themes. For more information please refer to the 'How to Submit an Abstract' document below.
Key Themes
1. Cool (low intensity fire)
2. Warm (medium intensity fire)
3. Hot (high intensity fire)
Sub-themes
a) Climate Change
b) Fire Ecology
c) Ferals, Weeds and Restoration
d) Community Resilience
Who should contribute? Fire ecologists, researchers, fire agencies, land managers, restoration consultants, Traditional Owners and organisations/ agencies/ communities/ individuals investigating and using fire to support ecological values.
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW would like to acknowledge the generous support of our conference sponsors
