Welcome to a symposium for research on Australasian Turtles in Coffs Harbour on 16-17 June 2025. This symposium is targeted towards scientists, Traditional Owners, community groups, citizen scientists, NGOs, and government staff. The symposium will include presentations and discussions spanning turtle conservation and ecology, with a focus on communicating new research results and first-hand accounts of on-ground successes (and failures) to anyone with an interest in turtle conservation. Topics will cover ecology, physiology, conservation practice, husbandry, and policy of turtles.
Registration
Registration is open at the Australasian Turtle Symposium
Early bird prices are until April 30th 2025.
Abstracts
Please submit abstracts to https://forms.office.com/r/AxxL85t6C6 before midnight May 31st 2025.
The Venue
There is parking at the conference venue.
Lunch and dinner will be provided on Monday and breakfast on Tuesday morning. A bar will be serving drinks during the evening.
Please note that attendees can uber or taxi the short distance from the airport to the venue.
The Coffs Harbour Adventure Centre provides space and accommodation for delegates to meet and present during our 1.5 -day conference. Conference check from the evening of Sunday 15th or morning of Monday 16th June (BYO breakfast). Talk start at 8am with midday lunch and dinner inclusive. The conference will wrap up at midday on Tuesday 17th June.
There is parking at the conference venue.
Lunch, and dinner will be provided on Monday and breakfast on Tuesday morning. A bar will be serving drinks during the evening.
Accommodation
Accommodation options include dormitories with five bunks per room and a shared bathroom. Alternatively, there is the option to camp in BYO tents. It is a short walk in from the venue and not accessible to vehicles. There will be showers and toilets available to campers. Delegates are also welcome to find their own accommodation nearby.
Plenary Speakers
Dr Carla Eisemberg
Dr Carla Eisemberg is a Research Fellow at the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Australia.
Carla leads research and conservation projects in partnership with a diverse group of stakeholders such as industry partners, governments and traditional communities in Northern Australia, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Tropical Asia.
In many cases, she uses turtles as models to study the relationships between ecology and harvest and as umbrella species to initiate conservation efforts. She is interested in the broader themes of applied ecology, wildlife conservation, environmental education, sustainable development and science communication.
Professor J. Sean Doody
Prof Doody’s research focuses on conservation biology, behavioral ecology & evolution, and sometimes their interface. His main research areas are invasive species impacts, climate change responses, threatened species biology and social behavior. He works mainly with reptiles, but also with amphibians, birds and mammals.
The majority of Prof Doody’s research is field-based, and he has research programs in the US, Australia, and Madagascar. Field methods include GPS technology, radio-telemetry, remote camera systems, drones, and many types of surveys. Other research interests include wildlife trafficking, anti-predator behavior, and the interface between ecophysiology & development.
Abstract Submission Portal - Please submit abstracts to https://forms.office.com/r/AxxL85t6C6 before midnight May 31th 2025.
Conference registration https://www.trybooking.com/CZRNA Earlybird prices are until April 30th 2025.
Carers
Childcare is available at the conference for a limited number of children. Please contact ASH2025@une.edu.au to confirm the age and number of children you wish to bring.
Talks
Attendees are invited to give a 5 minute or 12 minute talk on their research or conservation actions.
Posters and Tables
Tables and display boards are available for people who wish to communicate visual work in the form of a scientific poster, story poster, banner, photographs or otherwise.
Photo Comp
You are invited to submit photos ahead of time by emailing ash@une.edu.au in the following categories. Please submit a maximum of two photos per category per person.
Best photograph
Turtling in action
Conservation in action
Best/worst AI generated photograph
Society for Australasian Turtles
We will hold a General Meeting to discuss the formation of a Society for Australasian Turtles and the prospect of regular, ongoing meetings to ensure the continued collaboration and communication of turtle biology and conservation in Australia.
Silent auction
Please feel free to bring an item to donate to the silent auction. Money raised will go towards supporting future conference initiatives such as travel grants and student prizes.
Contact
Please email ASH2025@une.edu.au with any questions.