During the conference, the main talks run for three days – Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th September, and Thursday 2nd October, with the field trips on Wednesday 1st October. All this is preceded by the student-only day on Sunday 28 September.

Scientific programme

The conference will offer a comprehensive range of papers spanning research, issues and solutions within the discipline of ecology. The principle theme of the conference, Ecology on our doorstep, acknowledges that most of our population is urban, typically living in an environment characterised by degradation and fragmentation, and where the natural world and its associated ecological attributes are generally obscured and/or ignored. Throughout New Zealand, there are many examples of projects, initiatives of both local government and community groups, which seek to redress this ecological degradation. An Urban ecology symposium will be an opportunity to highlight and discuss these initiatives.

For Auckland, iconic ecological systems are indeed on the doorstep and visible from every high point of the city – though not always recognised as such. These systems include the vegetated ranges west and south, estuarine habitats, and gulf islands that are now refugia for biodiversity. One of the projects that has benefited from a community of willing volunteers is Tiritiri Matangi Island. The ecological restoration of this island started in 1984. A symposium Tiritiri Matangi: 25 years of ecological restoration offers an opportunity to consider the successes and issues, research findings and future direction for the project. Thanks to sponsorship from the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi (Inc), Tiritiri Matangi: 25 years of ecological restoration will be published in 2009 as another special issue of the New Zealand Journal of Ecology.

As with any discipline, it is the contribution of individuals that maintains the profile and progress of knowledge, often through the involvement in professional organisations such as NZES. One such individual is long–standing NZES member Associate Professor John Ogden. John is retiring this year after 29 years at the University of Auckland, and a third symposium at the conference will acknowledge his contribution to ecological research and scholarship.

Symposia details

1. Urban Ecology: Reflecting the hosting of the annual conference in our largest urban area, this symposium will focus around the ecology of organisms within an urban setting. If you would like to contribute to the symposium, in the first instance please contact Bruce Burns (burnsb@landcareresearch.co.nz), Landcare Research, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton 3240.
   
   
2. Tiritiri Matangi – 25 years of ecological restoration: This symposium will review the island's ecological restoration journey and the lessons learned. If you would like to contribute to the symposium, in the first instance please contact Mel Galbraith (mgalbraith@unitec.ac.nz), Unitec New Zealand, Private Bag 92025, Auckland 1142.
   
   
3. John Ogden: This symposium will acknowledge the contribution to the discipline of ecology by Prof. John Ogden, University of Auckland, on his retirement. If you are interested in this symposium please contact Peter Bellingham (bellinghamp@landcareresearch.co.nz).