We are thrilled to announce that Natalie Kyriacou OAM will be our next webinar speaker, on Tues June 4th! Natalie’s book, Nature's Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction, has been widely acclaimed & labelled 'the most important environmental book of our times'. More details to come… 👀

Happy 100th birthday Sir David Attenborough! So many of us have been inspired to become conservation scientists from watching your documentaries. Thank you for continuing to show us the wonder and beauty of the natural world, and inspiring millions to care about and protect it. 🌏️ 💙 💚

That's a wrap for SCBO's 30 days of #ConservationOptimism! Amongst the climate challenges and biodiversity crises, we hope this has been a reminder that conservation practitioners, citizen scientists & communities are working tirelessly for our threatened species and ecosystems, and having success!

Sightings of a large squid off Kangaroo Island and smaller squid at Port Elliot have given rise to hope after the species' disappeared from parts of the coastline when a harmful algal bloom killed countless marine animals in early 2025. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Seeds from the WA Seed Centre have been used to germinate seedlings of critically endangered flora, incl. Banksia montana, on WA’s Bluff Knoll. Seeds from mature plants now flourishing in seed production areas are being collected for future recovery efforts! #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

The Yato Conservation Area is now the largest forest protected area in Solomon Islands, covering c. 12,000 ha of primary rainforest and cloud forest in East Makira. No logging, mining or other destructive environmental activities will be allowed to take place. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Giant clams are thriving in a Fiji Ministry of Fisheries restoration project success. Monitoring revealed 100% survival of Tridacna maxima seeds released in the area, clams growing to 4x their original size & high biodiversity in protected cages. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

BirdLife Australia are celebrating the formation of the National Australasian Bittern Recovery Team. Together, these experts will provide guidance and oversight of the steps required to bring this species back from the brink. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Theonila Roka Matbob, an Indigenous Nasioi woman & Bougainville community leader, has won this year's Goldman Environmental Prize. She is being recognised for her efforts to repair environmental and social harms caused by a copper and gold mine. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

The first camera survey ever conducted on Truwana / Cape Barren Island off Tasmania - led by the Truwana Rangers - has recorded two rarely seen animals: white-footed dunnarts and blonde echidnas. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Ecosystem models indicate that marine reserves and other fisheries regulations aimed at protecting populations of predatory reef fish species have reduced the scale of crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks on the GBR, averting further coral loss. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

It's Earth Day! Progress does not happen in silence. It happens when people show up. Check our www.earthday.org to see if there's an official event near you, or explore ways to take action for the planet every day. #OurPowerOurPlanet #EarthDay2026 #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

More than 300 captive-bred Campbell’s Keeled Glass-Snails have been successfully released back onto Norfolk Island. Several neonate snails have now been observed - a strong indication that the snails are reproducing in the wild. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Kākā burst back into Wellington after more than 70 years of regional extinction. Scientists were concerned that public opinion might turn against the destructive & noisy birds, but they have become a much-loved poster child for Wellington’s conservation success. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Separate studies of deep reefs by scientists from the California Academy of Sciences & on board CSIRO’s Investigator research vessel have discovered species new-to-science, including brittlestars, crabs, sea anemones, sponges, a skate, ray, deepwater catshark and a chimaera. #ConservationOptimism

Melbourne’s Western Treatment Plant is leaving specific nutrients in treated water, which feeds a food web supporting hundreds of species, including the rare Orange-bellied Parrot & Brolga. Urban infrastructure as a sanctuary! #ConservationOptimism

Tidal Moon, in collaboration with carbon and seagrass scientists, is leading one of the world’s largest seagrass restoration projects in World Heritage-listed Shark Bay, Western Australia. An Indigenous-owned sea cucumber business is being developed to sustain the restoration. #ConservationOptimism

Endangered species on Kangaroo Island have surged up to 100% in 5 years! After the 2019 bushfires, a predator-proof refuge saved the KI dunnart & western whipbird from feral cats. Now, First Nations leaders are calling for more collaboration to restore the land. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

In Hawai’i, innovative coral reef restoration forms part of mālama ʻāina, a commitment to stewardship. Scientific divers and community members carefully recovered and reattached 313 ko‘a (coral) colonies broken by large winter surf in Kahuwai Bay. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Congratulations Eleanor Stalenberg, Daniel Lunney & Chris Moon, winners of the 2024 @pacificconsbio.bsky.social #IvorBeattyAward! Through #QualitativeAnalysis of 371 articles, their winning paper examined how media reported on koalas during the catastrophic 2019–2020 bushfires. #PacificConsBio 1/4

The Bismarck Kingfisher, a species lost to science for 13 years, has been recorded again on New Ireland… by SCBO Board member John Lamris! John is trained in safely handling wild birds & was able to capture & photograph the kingfisher before safely releasing it. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Abstract submissions open for the Conservation Social Science Conference hosted by @society4conbio.bsky.social SSWG 📅 Deadline: 8th May 2026 More info + submit: lnkd.in/eQXEkHzU Conference updates: lnkd.in/e-FaBYtU Email [email protected] for questions! #ConSocSci #ConSocSci2026 #SSWG

Todd Dudley, conservationist & founder of the NE Bioregional Network has been nominated as a Tasmanian local hero. For the Skyline Tier Ecological Restoration project Todd pioneered a method of pine plantation restoration which has recovered 700+ ha of restored plantation. #ConservationOptimism

Meet Australia’s newest tiny dragons! 🦎 Researchers recently described 3 new species of rock-dwelling monitor lizards (Varanus) from Australia's eastern savannas. Despite living near towns, these 7-million-year-old lineages were hidden until now. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Two marsupial species - the pygmy long-fingered possum, and the ring-tailed glider - have been rediscovered in the rainforests of The Vogelkopf Peninsula by Western, Papuan and Indigenous Tambrauw and Maybrat researchers. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Recent discoveries of enormous pavona and black coral colonies by citizen scientists surveying the GBR and researchers from Victoria University Wellington may be among the largest ever seen. These corals are vital breeding stock for the species; locating them means they can be better protected.

Traditional Owners are using "cool burns" to help endangered veined doubletail orchids flourish. The devastating 2019 Black Summer bushfires provided a breakthrough in the fight to protect the species, as 4,000 exploded into bloom in the wake of the fire. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

Symposia submissions for #NZES_SCBO2026 are now open! If you would like to run a special themed session at our upcoming conference, submit your proposal now. @society4conbio.bsky.social @newzealandecology.bsky.social

A 2025 study found coral reefs in Fiji showed remarkable recovery just four years after Cyclone Winston’s devastation. Findings highlight the resilience of high integrity climate-resilient reefs and offer hope for coral survival in a warming world. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism wcs.org

Building on the success of the neighbouring Sirebe tribe’s carbon project, the Siporae Tribal Association are protecting their forest from highly damaging commercial logging, while creating community developments opportunities. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

After the first kākāpō chick in four years hatched on Valentines Day, experts are hopeful that 2026 will be a record breeding season. An abundant crop of favoured rimu berries is likely to have sparked breeding efforts. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

As bilbies, known as ninu to the Kiwirrkurra people (and Australia’s Easter Bunnies to others!), retreat into small desert pockets, Indigenous rangers are managing fire, predators and monitoring to help secure their future. www.australiangeographic.com.au/society/2026... #ConservationOptimism

Scientists & Traditional Owners working on the #PalmCockatooProject have celebrated the first ever fledging of an endangered palm cockatoo chick from an artificial nest box they installed. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism cnzdenek.bsky.social

Today, we are all encouraged to mark Jane Goodall Day by taking action locally: planting a tree, participating in community clean-ups, donating to a cause, choosing plant-based meals, or advocating for environmental protection. #ConservationOptimism #GoodAllDay @janegoodalinst.bsky.social

Recent surveys have confirmed that eastern quolls reintroduced to mainland Australia have successfully bred! 12 male and 7 female quolls captured during a recent survey were born in the wild. #ConservationOptimism #EarthOptimism

30 days of #ConservationOptimism is back for 2026! To celebrate Earth Month, every day this April we will be sharing a story of conservation success or hope from our region. Take a moment to read the stories linked - it will make you feel better!

DEADLINE EXTENDED to April 13!!! Individuals and organisations are eligible to be nominated for this award. Self-nominations are permitted. All nominations require a letter of recommendation. To apply, visit apply.conbio.org

Aloha kākou from Hawaiʻi! Hawaiʻi is a part of our SCBO community. As you may have seen on national news, they are suffering the worst recorded flooding in 20 years. If you would like to support the community from afar, we have shared some trusted sources below. Mahalo

Pacific Conservation Biology is seeking Associate Editors! Applications from Pacific Island researchers are greatly encouraged 🇫🇯 🇵🇬 🇳🇿 🇵🇼 🇳🇨 🇼🇸 @pacificconsbio.bsky.social publishes conservation research focussed on our region, and is affiliated with SCBO. Apply here - connectsci.au/pc/pages/edi...

Caring for Conservationists Workshop, happening tomorrow at QUT! events.humanitix.com/caring-for-c...

SCB is seeking nominations for SCB Global Network Board DEIJ Officer and Treasurer. Nominations due by 3 March, 2026 fs27.formsite.com/iPcKAy/vqnws...

SCBO is thrilled to announce the call for nominations for our 2026 Distinguished Service Award, which honours individuals, groups, or institutions for their distinguished service in any field associated with conservation biology, and whose work has furthered the mission of SCB.

Are you ready to take your science communication or media engagement to the next level? If so, this workshop looks great! cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/events-and-s...

I am more than happy to chat with anyonoe/present anywhere about what we did to reduce #languagebarriers at #ICCB2025, so if interested please let me know.

Are you ready to embark on your journey into the world of R and statistical analysis? Transform your research questions into robust statistical insights with the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science (CBCS) 2026 Summer R Workshops @ UQ! mathmarecol.github.io/RWorkshop/su...

The slides from our AGM are now on our website. Fine them (along with other important documents) under www.scboceania.org / Who We Are / Governance

Huge thanks to everyone who attended our AGM! Successful quorum achieved and motions passed, wonderful presentations from our Board and Chapter representatives, and a fantastic talk from @tatsuya-amano.bsky.social on language accessibility at #ICCB2025 !

Stay on the line after our AGM for a talk from @tatsuya-amano.bsky.social, Associate Professor at UQ and the chair of ICCB 2025's Language Accessibility Subcommittee. We were blown away by the live translation in all rooms at #ICCB2025 and can't wait to hear how it all came about!

Our 2025 AGM will be held via Zoom on December 1st / 2nd (check your timezone!) Members are invited to submit agenda items / resolutions for consideration by 25 November 2025 to [email protected]. Keep an eye on your emails for Zoom details!

Have you seen the video highlights from #ICCB2025? Check out the @society4conbio.bsky.social Vimeo account for a wrap up and more, including the Science Comedy Night! vimeo.com/society4conbio