Dear Members, Colleagues, and Friends,

I am pleased to invite you to join us for CPSG's 2024 Annual Meeting in Sydney, Australia, generously hosted by Taronga Conservation Society Australia.

This year’s meeting, while remaining global in scope, will shine a light on CPSG activities - past, present and, most importantly, future - in the Australasian region. CPSG Australasia has long been one of the most productive of our Regional Resource Centers and we are thrilled that the Center’s host institution, Auckland Zoo, has committed to not only continue as host but to fund the convenor position ensuring a bright future for species conservation planning in the region.

The CPSG Annual Meeting is a working meeting with an informal, open, and highly interactive atmosphere. Participation in the CPSG Annual Meeting is open to anyone interested in species conservation, the work of CPSG, and the topics being discussed. Our mission is to, together with you, save threatened species by increasing the effectiveness of conservation efforts worldwide. Through plenary presentations and working group sessions, participants will learn about, discuss, and find ways forward on issues of great importance to the conservation community. You can learn more about the CPSG Annual Meeting agenda on the “Programme” page of this website.

If there is a topic you would like to work on with fellow conservationists from across the world, we invite you to send your ideas to CPSG2024@cpsg.org. Your participation and input will be greatly valued.

We hope to see you in beautiful Sydney!

Onnie Byers
CPSG Chair

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to welcome you to the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) Annual Meeting which will be held at Taronga Zoo on Cammeraigal Country in Sydney, Australia.

At times, Australia can feel a long way away from our wildlife conservation colleagues across the globe, however, the ability to come together, share ideas and perspectives, and discuss the big issues and opportunities facing our sector fills me with hope for the future of wildlife.

I have had the privilege to lead Taronga, our two zoos – Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo and our conservation and education work for 15 years and during this time have benefited greatly from the critical work of the CPSG and the Annual Meeting. I always look forward to these events and leave enlivened and encouraged by the work, collaboration and innovation across our wildlife conservation sector.

As a country and a continent, Australia is home to a diverse array of varying and unique flora and fauna. Taronga Zoo is situated on the beautiful shores of Sydney Harbour and a ‘stone’s throw away’ from some of the most breathtaking marine and coastal ecosystems on the planet. I look forward to not only introducing you to some iconic Australian wildlife within Taronga Zoo but also around the city I call home.

While you are here, I hope you also take the opportunity to visit some of the amazing experiences on offer around Australia and our second heartbeat, Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

I look forward to welcoming you to Sydney very soon.

Cameron Kerr AO
Chief Executive, Taronga Conservation Society Australia