How is the conservation of plants and pandas related? More than you might think!
Join us for a fascinating dive into the similarities between zoos and botanic gardens and their work to save species. Learn what happens behind the scenes and discover the remarkable stories of how these two worlds are working together to protect biodiversity. Whether you’re wild about wildlife or passionate about plants, this is your chance to explore the power of conservation in action.
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Meet our speakers:
Simon Duffy
Simon has three decade’s experience working in the conservation industry. He has worked across multiple disciplines including wildlife care and welfare, education, regulation, curatorial, science and conservation. Simon joined Taronga Conservation Society Australia in 1996 as a volunteer straight out of university, inspired by a work experience stint at Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo when he was 15 years old. He worked his way through the organisation, learning the ins and outs of every aspect, but always championing how people and nature can connect and interact for a more balanced, brighter, and sustainable future.
Simon took his passion and experience in wildlife conservation to Botanic Gardens of Sydney as Chief Executive, leading the incredible organisation into the future by advocating for the science, conservation, horticulture, education, recreation, and visitor programs that enrich the lives of our local communities and global audiences, as well as providing solutions to critical environmental challenges facing all of life on Earth.
Simon’s an active member of several conservation and welfare committees and boards. He was most recently Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute Australia Board. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), holds Bachelor Degrees in both Teaching and Education, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 in recognition of his work in wildlife conservation, both in Australia and for primate species in Africa.
Sara Freeland
Sara is the Visitor Experience Manager for the Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden. She is truly passionate about science communication and loves finding creative and engaging ways to connect people with nature.
Sara believes that if more people understand the natural world, they are more likely to care and protect our precious environment.
Dr Phoebe Burns
Phoebe is a threatened species ecologist and native Australian rodent expert with over a decade of experience researching and managing endangered mice.
Her work focuses on developing management strategies and interventions to help conserve endangered native rodent species such as the Pookila and Smoky Mouse. This encompasses long-term monitoring programs, translocations and reintroductions, genetic rescue, and fire and habitat management.
Phoebe chairs the National Pookila (New Holland Mouse) Recovery Team and the National Smoky Mouse Recovery Team, and is a member of the National Broad-toothed Rat Recovery Team.
She enjoys working collaboratively with land management agencies, Traditional Custodian groups, students, and other scientists to design, implement, and adapt effective on-ground recovery actions. Recently, this has included the reintroduction of the Pookila to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, after a 50-year absence.