Dr Jonathon Howard, NPA Executive
In 2022 a new global biological diversity policy framework was adopted by 188 representative nations, including Australia. Underpinned by scientific research, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) promotes the conservation of at least 30% of global terrestrial and marine areas by 2030 as a stepping stone toward 50% percent by 2050.
Gary Dunnett, CEO NPA NSW
I started working at Kamay Botany Bay National Park in the late 1990’s, just as the annual migration of Humpback Whales was becoming one of the highlights of the Sydney calendar. My kids grew up enduring winter mornings spotting whales and each year I’d head out to get a bit of salt crust on the telephoto lens. A quarter century later, the Humpback migration is very much entrenched as part of my year.
Loéva Martin-Podevin, PhD candidate Macquarie University, Supervisors: Professor Culum Brown and Jane Williamson
Australia is home to 180 shark species, representing almost half of all shark species worldwide. Most of the country’s human population is distributed along the coast, increasing the possibility of human-shark interactions. Recently, these interactions have been on the rise worldwide1 attributed to the increase in coastal population density and the growing number of people participating in water activities (surfing, diving, swimming). Human-shark interactions are defined as any contact between a human and a shark, ranging from a shark swimming close to a human to a shark bite related death. These interactions can be divided into provoked or unprovoked. A provoked incident occurs when a human actively tries to engage with a shark. For example, when a diver approaches too close or tries to touch the shark and gets bitten. The probability of getting killed by a shark in Australia is very low: one in 8 million, the same as being killed by a kangaroo (The Nature Conservancy Australia). In 2023, 15 unprovoked shark incidents were reported in Australia, (including one in New South Wales (NSW)) which resulted in four fatalities. Shark bites most likely occur because sharks mistake humans for prey. But they soon realise their mistake and move on. Humans are not on their menu. Three species of sharks are mostly responsible for these incidents: The White Shark, the Bull Shark and the Tiger Shark. These species are the targets of shark management methods on Australia’s East Coast.
Author: Dave Witty
Publisher: Monash University Publishing 2023
Reviewed by: Helen Wilson of the NPA’s environmental book group
This is a recent book by an emerging writer about a wide range of Australian trees, both species and individual specimens, that have historical significance. Witty is an English migrant who fixates on the trees he comes across, particularly very old ones, to investigate Australia; finding a wealth of fascinating and often little-known stories. Along the way he demonstrates wide reading and knowledge of Australian history, literature and art.
Author: Peter Wohlleben
Published: 2019 in German. English version 2021, translated by Jane Billinghurst, published by Black Inc.
Review by Graham Kelly of NPA’s Environmental Book Group
Peter Wohlleben is a German forester, best known for his “The Hidden Life of Trees” published in 2015. This newer book covers a variety of tree-related topics, mostly linked to relationships of various kinds between humans and trees. The author has a huge knowledge of trees. He is also willing to commit his own ideas and opinions into his writing.
Read More “Book Review: The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing our ancient bond with forests and nature”
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