ARA National Conference
A meeting for raptor/owl enthusiasts, environmental consultants
and conservation managers
Theme:
Conserving birds of prey in a changing environment 30-31 August 2008 at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Call for Papers and Session Speakers
The Australasian Raptor Association (ARA), a Special Interest Group within Birds Australia, invites spoken, poster
and workshop session contributions from its members and other interested persons for the 2008 national conference
to be held at Coffs Harbour, NSW on 30-31 August.
The theme for this conference,
Conserving birds of prey in a changing environment, recognises that, nationwide, birds of prey are facing multiple threats and that populations of many species are in decline. These threats include habitat
loss and fragmentation, changes in prey abundance, increased individual mortality and widespread climate change.
The typically large home-ranges, cryptic behaviour and low population densities of these birds present many practical
difficulties to researchers, environmental consultants and planners, and conservation managers. Presentations
relevant to these topics are invited, as are offers to run informal classes or workshop demonstrations on a number of
associated topics including raptor species identification, field survey techniques, habitat identification and
management.
The conference programme will include formal and informal presentations over two days (Saturday/Sunday) with an
optional one-day field trip following the conference (Monday) to visit a number of locations in the region to observe
several species and current management activities.
Abstracts
for formal presentations and offers to run informal classes or demonstrations should be submitted by 30
th June 2008. Please send abstracts and offers to:
Rod Kavanagh at
nsw.rep@ausraptor.org.au, or ring 02 9872 0160, or post to:
NSW Department of Primary Industries,
Forest Science Centre,
PO Box 100, Beecroft NSW 2119
Conference registration
(includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea on 30-31 August)
ARA members $120
Non-members $150
Students $90
Send payments to:
ARA National Conference, c/- Amy Butcher,
Birds Australia, Supporter Services, Suite 2-05,
60 Leicester Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Conference venue
Novotel Pacific Bay Resort
Cnr. Pacific Hwy and Bay Drv, Coffs Harbour
Post-conference field trip
One-day (Monday, 1 September). Details to be
advised (check Birds Australia / ARA website)
Accommodation
Conference participants should book their own
accommodation requirements.
A wide range of accommodation options are
available at or adjacent to the conference venue,
including:
Novotel Pacific Bay Resort
www.pacificbayresort.com.au
Reservations 1300 363 360 Telephone (02)
6659 7024 Fax (02) 6659 7025
BananaCoast Caravan Park
429 Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour
www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/nsw/northcoastnsw/coffs
harbour/accommodation/caravan/bananacoastcaravanpark
Reservations (02) 6652 2868 Fax (02) 6652
2115
Informal arrangements should be made for
dinner
on Saturday night – there are plenty of excellent restaurants in Coffs Harbour and the
nearby Coffs Harbour Jetty.