Community
1 March, 2021
Cairns science talk attracts global audience
A science breakfast at the Cairns Botanical Gardens to celebrate World Wildlife Day on Wednesday March 3, has almost sold out within days of opening for registrations and will be livestreamed to cater for demand.
The event, the third in the Science and Smashed Avocadoes series hosted by the Wet Tropics Management Authority (Authority), and the first for 2021, features guest speaker Dr Martin Cohen.
It is titled Our backyard is the world’s backyard. How are we protecting the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area?
Dr Cohen of Cairns, who has more than 30 years’ experience as a wildlife biologist, expedition guide, naturalist, lecturer, researcher, photographer, wildlife filmmaker, writer and publisher, will speak about the science behind the Outstanding Universal Value of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (Area).
The declaration of World Heritage status for the Area recognises its significance as exceptionally important for the whole world.
Guest speakers at the event, which is being held at TANK sixty four near the Cairns Botanic Gardens, will also discuss the work of the Authority to manage and protect the Area, the Wet Tropics Management Plan (Plan) and how the Authority works with the community to implement the Plan.
The Authority’s Executive Director, Scott Buchanan, said community interest in the science breakfast series had surpassed the organisation’s expectations.
“Our first event, held in September last year, which focussed on Indigenous cultural burning practices, was sold out and the livestream on our social media platforms attracted more than 1500 views from across the globe,” he said.
“As a result we were able to measure the amount of international interest in this Area and the work we are doing.”
The Authority has followers in Europe, India, America, Malaysia and Brazil.
“There is definitely a real appetite for this style of science-focussed event, and we are delighted that a blend of virtual and physical delivery has brought science to a much broader audience.
“This event, on World Wildlife Day, will discuss how our backyard has become the world’s backyard and how we, as Wet Tropics Management Authority are working with the community to look after it."
