“We are known internationally for our science. We must be known for using our science to protect our biodiversity.” Recognising the scarcity of public funding to drive recovery, the RSV is establishing a Natural Capital Financing Working Group to focus on the urgent need to stimulate private sector investments that protect, preserve and regenerate local biodiversity in the face of threats from climate change and habitat loss.
Associate Professor Duane Hamacher is at the intersection of Indigenous Knowledge and modern science. He came to Australia to complete a Masters in astrophysics and a PhD in Indigenous studies. At astrophysics conferences, he sometimes struggled to convince peers that Indigenous Knowledge was anything more than folklore. But Indigenous science is dynamic, adapting to changes in the land, seas and skies, built on careful observation over 65,000+ years.
This month we welcome new Fellows to provide knowledge leadership across four sectors, representing the first round of recruitment by the RSV towards establishing a new College for Science and Society to help guide our activities, provide appropriate spokespeople to represent formal positions and establish effective partnerships across the sectors to win progress towards aligned goals. Our Fellows will be leading our forthcoming Forum on Biodiversity Conservation and Recovery in June.
We are delighted to announce that Governor-in-Council (the Governor and Premier of Victoria) have appointed two new Trustees of the Royal Society of Victoria as of 1 March 2022 in keeping with the terms of our Crown Grant of 1883. Please congratulate Dr Gillian Sparkes AM, Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability, and Professor Timothy Entwisle, Director and Chief Executive of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, on commencing as Trustees for the land and buildings of the RSV.
Our Society’s role as a convenor of Victoria’s science community must be reinvigorated and extended to include sectors and knowledge systems beyond academia. This way, we connect Victorians everywhere with expertise that can enable effective decision making – informed, localised responses to issues both global and regional. We are re-examining and refocusing our strategy, structure and scope of activities.
