Conference details
Date: 8 – 10 December 2026
Venue: Brisbane Conference and Exhibition Centre
Theme: From past lessons to future landscapes
Symposia:
1. Coexistence by design – planning to live together
2. Scale issues – one size does not fit all
3. Open Wildlife Management Symposium
Key dates:
• Call for Abstracts 1 July 2026 – 04 September 2026
• Early bird registration 1 June – 15 October 2026
• Regular registration 16 October – 1 December 2026
Symposia
Coexistence by design – planning to live together
Ongoing urbanisation and industrialization are clashing with wildlife populations in a variety of ways. The challenges are experienced across several sectors including conservation, agriculture, energy, mining, utilities and transport. Wildlife managers, researchers and regulators have the important task of designing developments to coexist with wildlife. This symposium will explore wildlife biology and management that relate to coexistence with wildlife in sustainable ways.
Scale issues – one size does not fit all
The vastness of many wild and remote areas in Australasia is daunting, and the complexity of highly diverse peri-urban areas can be staggering. From wide-ranging camels to short range endemic species, wildlife must be managed at the right scale. This symposium will discuss scale issues, and explore management programs that seek to conserve, control or monitor wildlife across the Australasian region.
Open wildlife management symposium
Alternatively you can submit your abstract under the Open Symposium theme which will accommodate talks on any topic related to wildlife management in Australasian and beyond. Other symposia will be organised to fit the topics of the abstracts received
Keynote Speakers
Symposium 1: Coexistence by design – planning to live together
Professor Kirsten Parris
Prof. Parris is a Professor of Urban Ecology in the School of BioSciences at The University of Melbourne, leading the Urban Ecology and Conservation Research Group. Kirsten is also the Director of the Office for Environmental Programs and a Deputy Director of the Melbourne Centre for Cities. Kirsten’s research interests include ecology of urban environments, biology of amphibians, bioacoustics and animal communication, and practical ways to conserve nature in cities. Her current projects include a study of multiple sensory pollutants in freshwater urban habitats, and trials of small-scale habitat additions to conserve native wildlife in cities.
Symposium 2: Scale issues – one size does not fit all
Professor Matt Hayward
Matt Hayward is a Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Newcastle, leading the Centre for Conservation Science. Matt has worked as an environmental consultant, conservation manager and researcher in the private sector, for NGOs, government and now in academia. Matt’s research interests include the conservation ecology of threatened species, the factors that threaten them and the methods we can use to effectively conserve them. Matt has researched these conservation issues in Australia, South Africa and Poland on marsupials, rodents, reptiles, invertebrates, ungulates and large predators. As Matt has looked at wildlife management issues across these diverse sites and taxa, it has become apparent how important considering scale is when conducting meaningful research.
Registration for fieldtrips is now open!
Every year the AWMS conference provides a number of pre- and post-conference fieldtrips and workshops. Places are limited, so book early to not miss out. If you are interested in a fully booked field trip or workshop, please put your name on the waitlist in case we receive a cancellation, or can increase the number of places, depending on demand. If you have already registered for the Conference but want to register for the fieldtrips, or have any questions, please email us: conference@awms.org.au
Koala surveys in coastal environments
Monday 7 December 2026, 7 AM – 4 PM
Join us for a hands-on field trip to McCoys Creek, Coomera, where participants will work alongside Gold Coast City Council staff to survey koalas in a unique coastal environment, including animal counts, health assessments, hollow and bird surveys. Please come prepared for a full day outdoors, practical fieldwork, and a great opportunity to contribute to threatened species monitoring while exploring the Gold Coast!
Included: bus transfer to and between the survey sites, instruction and survey materials, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Price: AU$100
Flying foxes of Brisbane
Thursday 10 December 2026, 5 PM – 7 PM
Join us for an evening exploring Brisbane’s remarkable flying-foxes. Brisbane is the only Australian capital city home to three species of flying-fox, including the Grey-headed and Black flying-foxes that use Orleigh Park as one of their roosting sites. As delegates watch the spectacular evening flyout across the river, our hosts Rebeca Appleton and Alison Hoeger from BSRQ will share insights into flying-fox behaviour, ecology and their vital roles as pollinators and seed dispersers. The session will also explore the threats facing these highly mobile animals, including habitat loss, entanglement and other urban hazards, as well as conservation and management challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to detect smaller insectivorous bats foraging over the water.
Included: guided tour, materials for bat surveys
Price: AU$30
Urban Bird Management
Friday 11 December 2026, 8 AM – 4 PM
Experience coexistence by design up close. Join us as we visit an artificially created, internationally significant shorebird roost teeming with thousands of migratory birds. You may even tick a few species off your bucket list, with the critically endangered Far Eastern Curlew regularly recorded at the site. The field trip also includes an eye‑opening look at how feeding wildlife shapes behaviour in urban parks, before concluding with insights into managing wildlife risks to operational infrastructure. This field trip is a must for anyone working at the intersection of conservation, community, and infrastructure.
Included: Return bus transfer, guided tours, lunch
Price: AU$100
Abstract Submission
Abstract submission has now closed!
Please download the abstract submission information document for more information.
Registration
Early Bird Conference registrations are now open!! !
All prices are in Australian dollars (AU$).
Early Bird prices are valid until 15 October 2026, after that Standard registration costs apply.
AWMS members enjoy discounted registration fees, so be sure to renew or join as an AWMS member to take advantage of this and other benefits.
Travel subsidies
AWMS encourages and supports the participation of students and Indigenous peoples in our annual conferences. We offer travel subsidies to facilitate this. See the subsidies that AWMS offers for conference travel here.
Full Conference registrations include:
- Access to all presentations over 3 days.
- Access to the trade exhibitions.
- Catering for 3 days: morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea.
- Conference program and abstract book.
- 1 ticket for the conference dinner on Wednesday 9 Dec 2026.
Sponsors and Trade exhibitors
Sponsor and Trade Exhibitor registration will open 1 June 2026!
We invite your company, organisation or institution to partner with us in delivering this important conference. Your support will help us improve the quality and breadth of the scientific program, facilitate the participation of students, and enhance conference amenities for the benefit of all participants.
Who you’ll meet
AWMS2026 brings together wildlife managers, researchers, policy makers, consultants and conservation practitioners from across Australia and New Zealand.
Why Sponsor AWMS2026?
• Showcase your organisation to a highly targeted audience.
• Increase brand visibility and recognition within the wildlife management community.
• Build meaningful connections with delegates and industry leaders.
• Generate new business opportunities and strengthen professional networks.
• Demonstrate your commitment to wildlife conservation and management.
A range of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available, with benefits designed to maximise exposure and engagement throughout the Conference. Tailored and inkind sponsorship opportunities are also welcomed.
Exhibition Opportunities
Trade displays will be located alongside the Conference catering area, providing exhibitors with regular opportunities to engage with delegates throughout the event.
For further details on sponsorship opportunities and trade stall exhibits at the conference, please download the the Sponsor and Exhibitor Prospectus or contact us at conference@awms.org.au.
