In this fourth of the 2012 Fenner Forum Series we examine future challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation and the skills that biodiversity professionals will need to meet these.

Twenty years after the first United Nations Earth Summit in Rio there remains strong links between biodiversity loss and economic prosperity. In Australia these pressures are great. By 2050 our population is predicted to grow 65%, the economy will more than double and we will produce more food to meet growing global demand.

How should we meet these challenges? What are the pportunities for biodiversity conservation in Australia going forward? Do our biodiversity professionals have the right skills to meet these? Are we adequately training the next generation of biodiversity professionals?

The forum will run from 5.30-6.30pm followed by light refreshments and informal discussion.

The forum will draw on four diverse speakers to stimulate discussion around these questions:

• Dr Philip Gibbons, Senior Lecturer, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University
• Dr Graeme Worboys, Protected Area Management Specialist, Jagumba Consulting Pty Ltd, Vice Chair (Mountains Biome Theme) IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas
• Mr Malcolm Thompson, Deputy Secretary, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
• Mr Ian Rayner, Project Manager, Greening Australia Capital Region and recent Honours graduate from The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University