Exploring the Science, Practice and Value of Nature Conservation

The Conservation Symposium, previously the Symposium of Contemporary Conservation Practice, facilitates the development and exchange of ideas and lessons pertaining to contemporary conservation issues in southern Africa.

The Conservation Symposium serves as a bridge between conservation practitioners, scientists and policymakers in a conducive environment to solve real-world problems. It integrates a broad range of disciplines in a meaningful way and creates or strengthens connections both within and between disciplines. It provides an effective platform for researchers to demonstrate the relevance of their work in addressing real-world conservation problems, and to identify new applied research opportunities and direction. It also provides a platform for training on methods for conservation and monitoring.

Emerging or ongoing issues identified by the conservation sector will be tackled through careful construction of the programme, including providing a selection of leading international keynote speakers, presentation of synthesis papers, and facilitated discussions. It also provides a platform for horizon scanning and exploration of the implications of new policy directions.

The Conservation Symposium is, usually, specifically held in KwaZulu-Natal which has a long history of successful conservation interventions, and which serves as a microcosm of conservation issues being faced throughout the subcontinent. The setting maximises the opportunity to showcase conservation interventions in both the marine and a wide range of terrestrial ecological and land tenure contexts.

The Conservation Symposium 2020 will be a virtual online event, thus expanding its reach worldwide!

download on the app store badge
google play badge

Subscribe To Our Mailing List

Keynote Speakers

Sea Search Research and Conservation NPC / Stellenbosch University
University of Geneva
Tilburg University
WWF South Africa
Institute of Natural Resources
Wild Entrust Africa
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
The Australian National University
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
University of Maryland
Loughine Limited

Confirmed Attendees

Nature's Valley Trust
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
University of the Witwatersrand
University of Cape Town
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries: Oceans and Coasts
AFRICOAL PLANT HIRE PTY LTD
Tilburg University
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism
University of Pretoria
WildTrust - WildOceans
Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)
The Nature Conservancy
University of KwaZulu-Natal
SRK Consulting
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Freelance Environment Journalist
University of Johannesburg
University of KwaZulu-Natal
WildTrust - WildOceans
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)
University of KwaZulu-Natal
WildTrust - WildOceans
University of Pretoria
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
The Conservation Symposium
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development: Grootfontein ADI
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
University of Cape Town
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
WWF South Africa
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) / Nelson Mandela University
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Wildlife ACT
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency
Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT)
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
VLG Statistical Services
Wildlife Conservation Solutions