The new VicBioCon logo. It is a circular graphic, the top half is a pale yellow background and the bottom half is a deep blue background. On the top left of the circle, a stylised common heath plant with green leaves and pink flowers frames the edge. Beneath it, overlaid on the yellow background, is a stylised greyish-blue leadbeater's possum. Beneath the possum is a golden-brown stylised barred galaxias overlaid on the deep blue background. At the bottom of the circle is the text "VicBioCon" in pale yellow.

🌿Introducing our brand new logo designed by Grace Smith (graceponders on instagram)! It features a leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri, critically endangered), barred galaxias (Galaxias fuscus, endangered), and common heath (Epacris impressa, low risk).

A photo of a full lecture theatre with light wooden floors, a dark back wall and red LED lights in the shape of a honeycomb above the audience.

Thank you Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera for photographing #VicBioCon26!! Visit melbourneceilicamera.org to see all the amazing moments he captured at the conference and purchase photos!

A graphic of the logos of all of VicBioCon's sponsors; those mentioned in the caption as well as La Trobe University, Arthur Rylah Institute, Co-Exist Australia, Zoos Victoria, Monash University, Faunatech, City of Moonee Valley, Ecology Australia, Ecological Consultants Association Victoria, Ecology & Heritage Partners, Luminary, Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, Practical Ecology.

Thank you to all of the amazing sponsors at #VicBioCon26! Special thanks to: Unimelb for hosting us, Nature Advisory's sponsorship of the conference & coffee cart & the Natural Resources Conservation Trust for sponsoring the Bushland Conservation grant & VicBioCon Research grant!

Bronwyn’s research approaches include field experiments, agent-based simulation models and quantitative analyses. She enjoys working with students and land managers to address priority research questions and achieve real-world management outcomes.

She is based with the Quantitative and Applied Ecology research group at the University of Melbourne and currently holds an ARC Early Career Industry Fellowship.

A blue and purple graphic with a cutout portrait photo of Bronwyn Hradsky smiling at the camera. Repeating text behind the photo says "plenary" four times with a blue flower and green stem wrapped around it on the left. A text tag to the right says "plenary speaker". Beneath the photo Bronwyn Hradsky's name is listed.

Get ready for #VicBioCon26's next plenary speaker, Dr Bronwyn Hradsky! Bronwyn is a conservation ecologist whose work aims to improve the management of invasive predators and fire – two key threats to Australia’s native fauna. 🧵

A deep green logo that says "Nature Advisory" with a light green leaf on the letter "N".

We’re grateful to Nature Advisory for being one of our main sponsors of #VicBioCon26, as well as the sponsor of our coffee cart! Their support helps make this event possible, and we’re delighted to have them as part of this year’s conference. 🌿

A photo of a presenter holding a microphone, next to a screen with a green presentation slide titled "Fire" with summary text below, and a photo of a burned landscape to the right of the text

We still have spots open for session judges at #VicBioCon26! Judging student talks gives a chance to celebrate their achievements & get constructive criticism. We welcome expressions of interest at vicbiocon@gmail.com from any non-students attending a session!
Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera

A photo of a projector screen showing a 3D rendering of a spiny ball- Astrid O’Connor stands to the side gesturing at the screen.

Thank you to our workshop hosts Michael Wheeler and Astrid O’Connor for a great first day of #VicBioCon26!

A photo of a hand holding up a sticker of the VicBioCon logo, with a blurry conference hall in the background

We hope you're ready for #VicBioCon26 starting with our workshops tomorrow! Be sure to plan your trip to the venue with our guide at vicbiocon.com/venue 🌿We recommend sustainable transport options such as bus, bike or carpool!🚌🚲

📷 Adam Purcell | @melbourneceilicamera

A photo of the exterior of the Arts West Building at the University of Melbourne.

At #VicBioCon26 you can expect signposted directions & lift access to all conference spaces, free masks at registration, Hearing Loops in all conference rooms + our friendly volunteers & committee members ready to assist with any questions! See vicbiocon.com/venue for more!

An up-close macro photo of a weevil's head

This is the last week to submit photos for the #VicBioCon26 photo comp before entries close at 11:59pm Feb 13th! Post with the hashtag #VicBioCon26Photo or email to vicbiocon@gmail.com, for the joy of sharing your photography, and for the chance at a prize!

📷 Yennifer Longo | Instagram: BotanyByYen

A green lineart graphic of two hands clinking wine glasses. header text: "VicBioCon Conference Dinner 18/2". Footer text: "Time: 5pm-9pm. Attire: Casual. Adress: 700 Swanston Street, Parkville. Tickets on sale now!"

🚨Today is the last chance to get tickets for our 10th Anniversary Conference Dinner!🚨 Close out #VicBioCon26 with a private viewing of Science Gallery Melbourne's current exhibition “Distraction” plus a buffet dinner and drinks!🍾 vicbiocon.com/tickets

You can hear Therésa's perspective on a variety of urban biodiversity topics at the first #VicBioCon26 panel on the 17th! Find out more on our program here: vicbiocon.com/program

She has contributed to State and National light pollution guidelines in Australia and is a member of the Network for Ecological Research on Artificial Light and Director (and Ecology committee chair) of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance.

She works with external stakeholders to translate academic knowledge into real world solutions that mitigate the impact of light pollution for wildlife.

She is an evolutionary and behavioural ecologist who explores the ecological impact of light pollution. Her research has demonstrated the largely negative effects of artificial light at night on the behaviour and physiology of multiple animal species and their communities.

A blue and yellow graphic with a cutout portrait photo of Therésa Jones smiling at the camera. Repeating text behind the photo says "panel" four times with a blue flower and green stem wrapped around it on the left. A text tag to the right says "panel one". Beneath the photo Therésa Jones's name is listed.

Introducing another panelist for "Challenges & Opportunities in Urban Areas", Therésa Jones! Therésa is a Professor in the School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne. 🧵

Sarah is a Lead Councillor with The Biodiversity Council, a Board member of Bush Heritage Australia and a member of the WWF Eminent Scientists Group.

Sarah will join her fellow panelsist on the 17th of February- see more info on panel times on our program here: vicbiocon.com/program

She developed the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design protocol that has now been used by numerous developers, governments and non-government organisations to design innovative urban biodiversity strategies.

She is particularly interested in understanding the role of human behaviour in conservation, in designing cities to encourage ‘every day nature’ experiences and in defining and measuring ‘nature positive’ development.

A blue and yellow graphic with a cutout portrait photo of Sarah smiling at the camera. Repeating text behind the photo says "panel" four times with a blue flower and green stem wrapped around it on the left. A text tag to the right says "panel one". Beneath the photo Sarah Bekessy's name is listed.

Introducing another panelist for "Challenges & Opportunities in Urban Areas", Professor Sarah Bekessy! An ARC Industry Laureate Fellow, she leads the ICON Science research group at the University of Melbourne which uses interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex biodiversity conservation problems

A lineart graphic of two hands clinking full wine glasses set on an emerald green background. The graphic is overlaid with white text that says “Conference dinner!”. Beneath the graphic more white text says “Science Gallery Melbourne, Wed Feb 18 5pm”. Image header reads “Victorian Buodiversity Conference” in white font. Image footer reads “Dinner is our love language” in white font.

🚨Only 3 days left to get tickets for the #VicBioCon26 Tenth Anniversary Conference Dinner!!🚨Don’t miss this rare opportunity to celebrate a milestone with us AND attend a private viewing of Science Gallery Melbourne’s current exhibition “Distraction”! Get your ticket at vicbiocon.com/tickets

If you want to hear more from Holly, be sure to catch the panel discussion on the 17th! More info on our program here: vicbiocon.com/program

Holly is currently developing an open-access tool to help decision-makers prioritise places and actions for urban biodiversity conservation, funded by an ARC Industry Fellowship. She is passionate about translating scientific theory into positive on-ground action for people and nature.

Her work on ecological connectivity modelling has been used to create biodiversity plans in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and the ACT.

Holly works closely with industry and government, understanding how Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design (BSUD) can be implemented in different urban developments: from greenfield residential sites to high-rise inner-city buildings.

An expert in spatial modelling and animal movement, for the last six years she has been using this skill to plan cities that support and enhance urban nature.

A blue and yellow graphic with a cutout portrait photo of Holly smiling at the camera. Repeating text behind the photo says "panel" four times with a blue flower and green stem wrapped around it on the left. A text tag to the right says "panel one". Beneath the photo Dr Holly Kirk's name is listed.

Introducing Dr Holly Kirk, one of our panelists for "Challenges & Opportunities in Urban Areas"! Holly is an urban ecologist researching and teaching in the School of Design and the Built Environment at Curtin University, specialising in the application of ecology to urban planning and design. 🧵

A photo of several people in a crowd smiling and clapping. Beneath the photo is a green banner with yellow text that says GRANT APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON!

🚨Grant applications for #VicBioCon26 close TODAY!🚨 See more info and apply for project funding or conference attendance support at vicbiocon.com/grants 🌳

📷 Adam Purcell | Melbourne Ceili Camera