Australian Coastal Society

The Australian Coastal Society will host the first national coastal management workshop specifically tailored to the younger coastal management network as part of the Coast to Coast Conference 2012.

Following the conference theme, “Living on the Edge”, there is no better opportunity to put ‘Edge Factor’ into coastal management by identifying up and coming coastal champions and highlighting coastal issues from a different perspective.  By engaging with the ‘younger’ coastal management network during this workshop, we will review past, existing and potential coastal management strategies and techniques with ‘fresh eyes’ and promote innovative approaches in the way we can tackle coastal issues in the years ahead.

As this workshop will provide a fun and engaging atmosphere to discuss coastal management from a different angle, it will open a prime opportunity for networking between the ‘younger’ coastal management network and the ‘old skool’ coastal gurus. Additionally, develop a communication platform between the diverse coastal networks and ultimately identify avenues to promote professional development.

THIS WORKSHOP IS RUN BY THE YOUNGER COASTAL MANAGEMENT NETWORK FOR THE YOUNGER COASTAL MANAGEMENT NETWORK: Facilitated by the Australian Coastal Society, there will be guest speakers and networking activities to ignite an awe-inspiring environment. Then the creative work will begin. Five groups with diverse skills (e.g. engineers, coastal planners, economics, law, environmental scientists, social scientists, community representatives) will be provided a past/current/ potential coastal management issue. Participative discussions with ‘old skool’ coastal gurus, who will circulate the workshop to provide advice to help the groups highlight issues and identify solutions to develop a management plan. There will also be a Q&A panel session with leaders in the coastal management field to follow.

RESULTS: In addition to the results of the workshop activities, before and after surveys will be analysed to capture individual perspectives about coastal management. There is a possibility to present these results during a concurrent session at the conference.

Who is this workshop open to: Individuals that are engaged in coastal management, recently graduated in engineering, science, planning, technology, social science, business and law, are active in caring for the coastal environment, and involved in research, consultancy or government employment.

Do you think you have edge factor? Download the EOI form to apply. There are only 30 places.

John Gunn with Naomi Edwards will be facilitating the workshop.

John Gunn (Earth Environmental – Principal): John is a system-based environmental planner and natural resource manager who enjoys the challenge of integrating human activity systems with our landscapes, ecosystems and ecological processes (environmental infrastructure) to help create a less unstable planet.

John gained his adult life experience predominantly in Central and Northern Queensland, initially in the mining and exploration industry (small private companies), before transferring to the environmental field through community based natural resource management projects. John has been a Landcare and Catchment Management coordinator and worked on a state natural resource management (NRM) project before establishing Earth Environmental, his boutique ecological planning and NRM business.

NAOMI EDWARDS: Naomi has been engaged in coastal management on the Gold Coast for over six years – initially as an active Griffith University Environmental Science student and coast care volunteer. Since graduating in 2008, Naomi has been working in coastal community engagement and partnership development at the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, coordinating BeachCare, CoastEd and Gold Coast’s Clean Beaches. Naomi’s passion for the coast and community well being has diversified and is now currently undertaking a Masters of International and Community Development at Deakin University. Between volunteering, working and studying Naomi hopes to encourage all coastal stakeholders to be engaged in the management of the coast to help improve the health of the coastal environment and build a more resilient coastline for future generations.

For further information please contact the Australian Coastal Society Queensland Chapter: qld@australiancoastalsociety.org.