8:15-8:45 | Registration |
8:45-9:00 | Smoking Ceremony | Richie Allan, Ngunnawal Custodian |
9:00-9:05 | Introductions |
9:05-9:10 | Welcome to Country | Richie Allan, Ngunnawal Custodian |
9:10-9:30 | Official Conference Opening | Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water |
9.30-9.45 | ACT Government address | Bren Burkevics, ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna and Executive Group Manager, Environment Division, City and Environment Directorate |
9:45-10:30 | Keynote Speaker Pip Kiernan – Chair Clean Up Australia Day ‘Clean Up Australia: Mobilising 23 million volunteers over 3 decades’ Pip shares stories that are both personal and universal, about the power of collective action, the importance of environmental responsibility, and the enduring impact of volunteerism. |
10:30-11:00 | Morning Tea |
11:00-12:30 | Breakout Sessions |
Breakout 1: Regenerating ACT volunteers: Exploring how different demographics want to engage as volunteers Location: Seminar Room 1 | Room Capacity: 48 CHAIR: Lauren McQueen | Panellists include Landcare ACT, ANU Intrepid Landcare, Volunteering ACT, Bush Heritage Australia, and Cleanup Australia This panel explores how to engage a broader mix of Canberrans in volunteering—removing barriers and building a more inclusive, regenerative movement | |
Breakout 2: Panel- Regenerating for climate resilience: how to factor into our volunteer activities Location: Main Conference Room | Room Capacity: 75 CHAIR: Dr. Sarah Milne | Panellists include ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Ngunnawal Traditional Custodian, Climate Justice Campaigner, Microforest Collective, and ACT Office of Nature Conservation This panel explores how landcare and volunteering can adapt to climate change through regenerative practices and climate-conscious approaches | |
Breakout 3: Panel – Pathways from volunteer to a career Location: Classroom 1 (22B14) | Room Capacity: 65 CHAIR: Miranda Gardner | Panellists include Southern Inland Environmental, ANU Intrepid, UC, ANU and ACT Parks and Conservation Service This panel explores how can personal volunteering experiences shape career pathways, and what insights can help turn passion into profession | |
Breakout 4: Regenerating Soils for Conservation Location: Seminar Room 2 | Room Capacity: 75 CHAIR: Jarrod Ruch | Panellists include GrounEd, Soils For Life, Ainslie Urban Farm and ACT NRM This panel looks at how volunteers can assess and improve soil health—laying the foundation for ecological regeneration and resilient landscapes | |
12:30-13:30 | Lunch |
13:30-15:00 | Breakout 5: Effective Storytelling/The Power of Interpretation for land care Location: Classroom 1 (22B14) | Room Capacity: 65 CHAIR: Dr. Louise Curham | Panellists include Tidbinbilla Pioneers Association, a 2024 ACT NextGen Landcare Award Winner, Buru Ngunawal Aboriginal Corporation, Happydance Creative, and Landcare ACT This panel explores how storytelling—through diverse formats and personal experiences, can empower volunteers, foster collaboration, and amplify regenerative conservation efforts |
Breakout 6: Panel – Rehydrating the landscape- volunteer case studies in action Location: Main conference room | Room Capacity: 75 CHAIR: Jarrod Ruch | Panellists include Ngunnawal Traditional Custodian, Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach, Bragg Street Park Volunteers and others This panel highlights practical conservation efforts and inspiring volunteer stories that help restore water and regenerate local ecosystems | |
Breakout 7: Citizen science – making a difference to science and volunteers Location: Seminar Room 2 | Room Capacity: 75 CHAIR: Daniel Harris-Pascal | Panellists include ACT & Region Frogwatch, NatureMapr, Great Southern BioBlitz and a local photographer This panel explores how citizen science empowers volunteers and supports landcare—driving regeneration through community-led research. | |
Breakout 8: More Love, Less Loss: Cultivating Nature Connection for Personal and Planetary Health Location: Seminar Room 1 | Room Capacity: 48 CHAIR: Sally Holliday | Panellists include UC, Psychology for a Safe Climate and Bush Heritage Australia This panel will explore How can deepening our connection with nature support personal wellbeing, inspire environmental action, and help us navigate eco grief and climate challenges | |
15:00-15:30 | Afternoon tea |
15:30-16:00 | Idea sharing from breakout groups Reflections and key messages from the day’s breakout sessions |
16:00-16:30 | Landcare peak body address Dr Michael Robinson, CEO Landcare ACT Regenerating Landcare in the ACT region Michael will share how Landcare ACT is regenerating its role in the region—strengthening partnerships, empowering volunteers, and shaping a resilient future for our regions landscapes |
16:30 | Wrap up & close Dr Michael Robinson, CEO Landcare ACT Michael will offer closing reflections on the day’s conversations and the collective journey toward regeneration in the ACT |
17:00-18:00 | Tea/coffee/network Wind down with a warm drink and connect with fellow attendees. Share reflections, build relationships, and explore how today’s ideas can grow into tomorrow’s regenerative actions |
18:00 | Event empty |
Delivered with assistance from the ACT Government.
Landcare ACT Members
Copyright Landcare ACT 2025