Mandurah will host a national environmental conference next month which focusses on bringing people together to inspire positive changes in protecting the natural environment.
The City of Mandurah has partnered with the Australian Association of Environmental Education’s WA Chapter (AAEE) to co-host the Australian Association for Environmental Education National Biennial Conference and Research Symposium from September 28-30.
AAEE is Australia’s peak body for environmental education, working with educators in all sectors to bring about collaboration and skill-sharing in caring for the environment. The conference will bring together researchers and practitioners from across the country, as well as local environmental experts, enthusiasts and youth panellists, to explore environmental education programs and techniques.
Mayor Rhys Williams said the environment is a top priority for the community and the City, and it was great to see conferences like the AAEE’s come to Mandurah.
“We know that the protection and preservation of our stunning natural environment is a huge priority for our community, so I’m really excited that the City is hosting this important event,” Mayor Williams said.
“Sharing our knowledge, and educating and inspiring others on important environmental values and programs is such a vital part of how we can all work together to create meaningful changes for our future generations. I can’t wait to see what this conference brings, I think it will be very beneficial to our community, and we’re proud to be dedicated to working in this space. It’s also great to see some inspiring young people will be involved, as this helps to shape the kind of future we want for Mandurah.”
This year’s conference theme is ‘Mandjoogoordap: Changing Tides’, and will be held at the beginning of Kambarang, one of the six Noongar seasons. This season celebrates birth, and the conference will focus on the birth of new ideas and innovations that will shape the future.
The AAEE conference has only been held in Western Australia twice in its history (1992 and 2006), and never in the Peel region. Hosting the conference in Mandurah will showcase the unique plants and wildlife, waterways, and educational programs of this region. During the conference, the City will highlight Mandurah’s unique elements through tours and onsite presentations, where visitors and locals can experience the local environment like never before.
The City is the primary sponsor of the conference, and has been working with other funding partners and organisations to bring the conference to life, including Millennium Kinds, Lotterywest, Business Events Perth, Peel Harvey Catchment Council, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Sustainable Schools WA, Whiteman Park and SERCUL.
In partnership with the Shires of Murray and Waroona, the City will also host the WA State Natural Resource Management and Coastal Conference in 2022, which will focus on challenges and opportunities in planning and managing natural resources.
