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World Zoos of Australia
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Australia and New Zealand Regional Update
By Regional Representative John Gardner (April 2008)

Planning for the 2008 IZE Conference has picked up pace and the Regional Representative has been working closely with CBSG and WAZA Conference organizers on technical, social, programming (delegates & partner,) and financial aspects of the 3 Conferences. The IZE & WAZA Conferences will be conducted jointly during Official Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Keynote Speakers on Climate Change and the Amphibian Crisis and most morning & afternoon teas and lunches. At other times IZE delegates will be involved in their own education-related activities.

Call for papers has been posted on the website www.ize2008.com.au. Information about accommodations, Conference fees and general information can also be found on the website. Registration will be available starting around April 18. We will be asking all delegates to bring an item for a Silent Auction to raise funds for the IZE Sponsorship Program (Grants) and a Zoo Poster from each Institution that will be displayed in Zoos SA’s new Education Centre when completed.

ARAZPA’s two day Education Workshop was held at Taronga Zoo in Sydney in early March which provided a great opportunity for 30 of the Region’s Educators to meet and discuss Education issues at a Regional level. A new and more strategic approach was used that provided more opportunities for discussions about some of the bigger issues that affect Regional Education as a whole and there was less ‘Show and Tell.’ However, some ‘Show and Tell’ sessions were still included but had a Workshop/discussion component to them.

Presentations and Workshops included:

• Amphibian Ark and Year of the Frog (guest speaker)
• Strategic Directions
• Regional Project
• Strategic Marketing for Zoo Education
• Little Penguin Conservation Education
• Better Networks: Better Visitor Services
• Teaching Education for Sustainability
• Year of the Frog, in situ conservation and Interpretation
• Climate Change initiatives in Zoos and Aquaria
• Youth at the Zoo (Volunteers)
• Orangutan browse plantation project

There was time for other activities that included:

• Seal encounter
• Guided bushwalk (location of Red crowned toadlets)
• Sydney Harbor cruise
• Elephant encounter
• Workshop Dinner (included Silent Auction)

The IZE Silent Auction in Sydney raised AUS$1,200 for the IZE Sponsorship Program (grants) that will help to cover travel and Conference costs for educators from developing countries.

The ARAZPA Education Group made a commitment to contribute to the Year of the Frog activities. Many frog-related programs, activities, presentations, events and resources already exist in ARAZPA Institutions and the collation and sharing of these is the first step that educators are taking.

An IZE Presentation gave the Regional Representative an opportunity to speak about relevant IZE activities, updates, the 2008 Conference and membership. Since September last year, the Region has gained 5 new members to date, as well as 2 new applications and when the Conference early bird date looms, I would expect a few more!

The current IZE Regional Representative – Australia & New Zealand position will change hands at the upcoming IZE Board Meeting in Adelaide. A call has gone out for suitable candidates and the process will be finalized soon.

Australia Membership List

The IZE Membership List is updated quarterly.
Institutional members are marked with an *.

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