Empowering Aboriginal-led Traditional Knowledge to conserve wildlife and nature will be the focus of the 14th annual Celebrating Women in Conservation Breakfast on Friday 28 February at the Grand Ballroom, Sofitel Hotel on Wurundjeri Country.
Keynote speaker Teagan Shields, a proud Arabana descendant, has worked in the community engagement and environmental sector for 15 years. She is currently Chair of the Federal Minister for Environment's Indigenous Advisory Committee and is undertaking a PhD at the University of Melbourne in empowering Indigenous Land and Sea Managers in biodiversity conservation.
Hosted by Corinne Proske, CEO at Trust for Nature, and Rachel Lowry, CEO at Bush Heritage Australia, the event will explore the crucial role that women and gender-diverse people can play in the conservation sector. Victoria's Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action, Sheena Watt MP, will also be addressing the breakfast on behalf of the Victorian Minister for Environment, the Hon Steve Dimopoulos.
The event's tie-in with International Women's Day, held annually on March 8, has become a not-to-be-missed occasion in the conservation sector's calendar, with tickets to the in-person event selling out within days.
The theme for International Women's Day in 2025 is 'March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls'.
"We know that we cannot achieve conservation goals without embracing a diversity of perspectives and voices, including women and First Peoples," said Corinne Proske, CEO of Trust for Nature.
"This event is a true demonstration of the collective power in our sector, and an opportunity to celebrate the impact of women in conservation while amplifying the importance of Traditional Knowledge."
Rachel Lowry, Bush Heritage's CEO, emphasised the importance of inclusion in the conservation sector:
"We've made significant progress towards building a more inclusive sector, but we've still got a long way to go. Through events like these, we can come together around our shared goals to protect nature and ensure we march forward for a more sustainable and equitable future. Because our planet and our communities cannot afford for us to take a step back."
Tickets to the in-person event at Sofitel Melbourne are sold out. Virtual tickets are available via Humanitix. The Celebrating Women in Conservation Breakfast is supported by ANZ, Cassinia Environmental, TBH, King & Wood Mallesons, and Yarra Valley Water.
About us:
Bush Heritage Australia is a leading not-for-profit conservation organisation that protects ecosystems and wildlife across the continent. We use the best science, conservation and right-way knowledge to deliver landscape-scale impact. We're on the ground, working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the agricultural sector to make sure our impact is deep, sustainable and collaborative.
Trust for Nature works with Victorian landholders to protect habitat for wildlife on private land. We are one of Australia's oldest conservation organisations, and since 1972 have protected more than 116,000 ha of native habitat. Our vision is a future in which Victoria's nature is valued, protected and thriving, and we work with over 1,600 landholders across the state to protect and restore places in Victoria where wildlife and native plants can thrive. Trust for Nature's work is made possible through the generosity of our partners, supporters and donors who together want to make a difference to Victoria's natural environment. We acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government.
