Get to know the people behind some of Australia’s most exciting conservation programs as they share their experiences out in the field and on the front line.

Conservation Conversations will delve into an array of wide-ranging topics, and provide you with an opportunity to take part in impactful and insightful discussion.

Frogs and Conservation Technology Webinar

Have you ever wondered how scientists track rare and endangered frogs in the wild? Or how changing climate is affecting amphibians in our Victorian Highlands?

Join our leading industry experts for the Conservation Conversations free webinar as they explore the challenges and technology innovations unfolding in frog conservation.

The registration for this webinar has closed.

*This event is part of the Inspiring Victoria ACCLIMATISE program for National Science Week

Catch up on the full webinar recordings below...

The critically endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum is Australia’s only hibernating marsupial and often weighs less than a golf ball. With fewer than 2,000 left in the wild and the growing threat of habitat loss, predation and climate change, they’re in urgent need of help.

When the population of the possums’ main food source, Bogong moths, plummeted from an estimated 4.4 billion to being nearly undetectable in 2017 and 2018, Zoos Victoria Reproductive Biologist, Dr Marissa Parrott and a team of experts from across the country united to protect the possums and moths, and bring the species back from the brink.

Join Dr Marissa Parrott and Zoos Victoria Conservation Campaigner, Darcie Carruthers, for a compelling conversation about their experiences working in wildlife and community conservation, over a cup of tea.

Dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in us – which makes them experts at analysing smells and the ideal co-worker to assist with threatened species conservation.

Join three women making strides as they discuss the inception of the Fighting Extinction Detection Dog Program, what makes an ideal detection dog, the relationship between handler and dog, and how the program has changed the game for threatened species conservation.

Over the last 25 years, Zoos Victoria has supported a number of international conservation organisations across the globe.

Strong relationships form the foundation of these partnerships, and the collective goal of delivering measurable and sustainable outcomes for people and wildlife.

In 2016, Zoos Victoria partnered with Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU) when poaching of rhino horn was at its peak in Africa. Over the years, the partnership has evolved, resulting in the sharing of knowledge and experience between the two organisations.

For this webinar, we’re joined by a special guest - Angie Genade, who has lived and worked at the remote Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for over ten years. In her early days at the organisation she admits that she feared these mighty beasts, but she quickly fell in love with their gentle nature and came to be their devoted protector. Today, she is the Executive Director, managing over 150 staff, and has garnered the support of neighbouring farmers and communities which has been critical to the success of the program.

As the Manager of International Conservation at Zoos Victoria, Chris Banks has built long-lasting relationships with many zoos and conservation organisations abroad, including RFU. Join Chris and Angie as they discuss the importance of collaboration, education and their passion for conserving wildlife.

We’re joined by Dr Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria, and Dr Sally Sherwen, Director of Wildlife Conservation and Science. Learn about the psychology of optimism, and how we can find hope in the face of adversity.

This conversation will delve into the challenges of recent events, and how they have pushed the organisation to adapt and innovate. Hear about Zoos Victoria’s role in the recent bushfires, stories of survival and humanity, and the outpouring of support from across the world.

Jenny and Sally will provide insight into what the future holds for the organisation, including new, community-led recovery projects and what success looks like.

Get to know the experts behind some of Australia's most exciting conservation programs and discoveries as they share their experiences out in the field and on the front line.

In this Conservation Conversations, join three women making strides as they discuss the road to recovery for Australia's iconic Tasmanian Devil with the help of the Fighting Extinction Detection Dog Program.

Join us as we be breaking down the barriers Eastern Barred Bandicoots face in the wild, causing their extinction on mainland Australia.

Our experts will take you through the ups and downs of working with a critically endangered species. You will hear first-hand about the recovery efforts over the last 33 years to save this species from near extinction, using fences, islands and now with the help of some special four-legged friends.

After many years of training, Guardian Dogs are the latest heroes for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, working to protect the bandicoots from their biggest threat - foxes. If successful, this trial could be a gamechanger for conservation, offering an opportunity to return Eastern Barred Bandicoots to the wild on the mainland.