Page 52 - State of Biodiversity 2023-2024

50 STATE OF BIODIVERSITY REPORT 2023/2024
The Conservation Symposium 2023
Nolwazi Ngcobo
Email: Nolwazi.Ngcobo@durban.gov.za
The Conservation Symposium 2023 was an important highlight for eThekwini Municipality as it served as a platform for collaboration, learning, and exchange of research among various national and international biodiversity experts, policymakers, and practitioners. Four officials from the Biodiversity Management Department (BMD) attended this symposium, including Senior Specialist Ecologists, Cameron McClean, Specialist Ecologist, Greg Mullins, and two Graduate interns namely Nolwazi Ngcobo and Winile Mchunu. Their participation emphasized eThekwini Municipality’s BMD commitment
Figure 1: The Conservation Symposium logo.
Source: The Conversation Symposium 2023 | African Wildlife Economy Institute (www.sun.ac.za)
to staying at the forefront of conservation efforts.
The Conservation Symposium took place from November 5 to November 10, 2023, at the Wild Coast Sun Hotel in Port Edward, South Africa and it was wonderfully hosted by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The symposium, themed around the “Biodiversity Economy,” brought together leading figures from academia, government, Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and international organizations, and this fostered interdisciplinary connections and showcasing impactful research. Key partners
Figure 2: Attendees immersed in a presentation at the Conservation symposium. Source: Conservation Symposium