Review of Biodiversity Key Issues 2000 Seminars

CENTRE FOR PLANT BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH

Biodiversity Key Issues 2000 Discussion Series Seminar

SEPTEMBER 2000

Survey Analysis for Seminars 1, 2 & 4

Response to question: "Please help us find out the best way to provide information about our activities, by answering some questions and then placing your form in the box outside the door."

1. How did you hear about the Biodiversity KeyIssues 2000 Discussion Series?	Seminar 1 (58 surveys returned)	Seminar 2 75( surveys returned)	Seminar 4 (50 surveys returned)
Word of mouth	12	18	6
Notice board flyer	13	14	8
Invitation (letter or e-mail)	15	56	26
Newspaper article (please name newspaper)	1 - Canberra Times	2 – Canberra Times 1 - Chronicle	NA
Other media (please name)	7 (incl CSIRO NAP media release, Radio 666, 2CN, radio)		NA
Other (please name)	3 (Biotechnology Aust)	1 - Communications network	12 (including Bowral Biodiversity Day Exhibition, Radio, Community Radio annoucement, SGAP newsletter, Chronicle, TV, EA Intranet, Gold Sheet ANU, Gnatter – list of seminars, Internal bulletin brd)
Did you attend Biodiversity Seminars last year	Y =14 N=38	Y 27 N 41	Y 16 N 31
How many did you attend this year	NA	NA	Attended 1=12, 2=17, 3=10, 4=3
Did you attend Biodiversity Seminars last week	NA	Y 25 N 41	NA
Have you looked at the Sem summary on the Web	NA	Y 12 N 35 Intend 28	Y 7 N 20 Intend to 20
Is the 4pm time suitable	NA	NA	Y 44
Would you prefer more in-depth half-day workshops?	NA	NA	Y 7 N 25

2. If you are affiliated with government, public, scientific or community organisation, please tell us which one.

Seminar 1

Seminar 2

Seminar 4

CPBR 1

CSIRO 12

CSIRO ENTO 1
CSIRO W&E 1
CAMBIA 1
ANBG 2

ABS 1
RSBS/ANU 3
BRS 1

Friends of ANBG 1

ANU 3
Botany & Zoology ANU 1
EA 7
General Public 7

University science student 1
University 1
Freeland Science/Communicator 1
ACT Flora Fauna Cte 1
Scientific Community 1
BAMBI ANU 1
Biotech Australia 2
AUCARE 1
Aust Network for Plant Conservation 1

CPBR 5

CSIRO 15

CSIRO ENTO 2
CSIRO W&E 3
CSIRO Forestry 1
CSIRO L&W 1
CSIRO – MIS 1
CRES, ANU 1
Conservation Ecology student 1
Consultant in natural resources 1
ANBG 2

ABS 1

Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade 1

Friends of ANBG 1
Greening Australia Limited 1
Government 1
Public Sector 1

ANU 1
Botany & Zoology ANU 2
Ex-ANU 1
ERIN, EA 1
EA 9
AFFA 4
MDBC 1
NTH Central Catch Mgt Auth – Vic 1

NSW NPWS 1

NSW local Government 1
General Public 13

University science student 1
University 1

AFFA 2
Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare 1
CRC 1
EA 5
CSIRO – SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES 1
Robertson Environment Protection Soc 1
Landscape Architect with Queanbeyan CC 1
CSIRO 5
Visitor to CSIRO 1
University 1
CSIRO, GCTE 1
Australian Science Communicators 1
Parkcare 1
Government 1
LWRRDC + Landcare 1
Umbagong Landcare Group 1
ANU 1
ANU Botany and Zoology 2
Bushcare Program Environment Aust 1
Research Sch of Bological Science, ANU 1
ABRS 2
CSIRO W & E 1
DEFAT 1
Government 1
CAMBIA 1

3. Any Other Comments? Seminar 1

Excellent selection of panel members
3 Media reps – 2 scientists – says it all
Useful
No
I somehow missed all advertising on this but have been overseas for last 3 weeks.
Disappointed content – would have liked more discussion on specifically environmental issues
Very good and informative.
Enjoyed, informative, interesting panel
Very informative, speakers and panel – good value
I look forward to the rest of the series
Open panel was well organised and were from a good range of backgrounds.
Excellent panel – impressive
No
Topics such as GMOs, well chosen, especially of controversial nature
90 minute time limit
I picked up an email re the seminars and re-broadcast on the ANPC email list server. This reaches community, industry and govt orgs
I need to make the time. I’d like to have been to all of last years’ talks too.

Any Other Comments? Seminar 2

This is a great idea! Really useful. Could we change the CSIRO logo on the CPBR banner?

The seminar organisation personnel need to lift their game

I wish I had more opportunity to get to the series.

Are contact/background details of the panel members on the Web?

I enjoyed the format – panel discussion was useful and forthright.

First one went on too long. Lack of science=to general. Big problems (gloss) no solutions.
Last week’s panel was amazingly biased – 4pro GMO 1 neutral no –one negative.
Seminar 1 (GMOs): too much the Company Line. G. O’Neill was deplorable; if presenting that sort of diatribe then there ought to have been a hard anti as well
Circulated email listed other seminars in series
How long will the seminar summaries remain on the web?
Am taking notes for my brother who is out of town and who does remote sensing.
Far too much spin doctoring on the panel discussion after Mark Lonsdale’s talk last week. Not much informed (or uninformed!) science.
Did not see any advert. Realised lectures were on about this time last year.
Need to make sure that the audio visual equipment is working and people know how to use it.
Good series.
GMO talk: perhaps a but superficial e.g. what will the new project actually do.
First in series rather weak.
Thank you. Suggestion: contact institutionally IE Aust and ANSTO for engineering solutions.
Great.
The technological problems were very distracting to the presentation: should be resolved before speaker continues.
Interesting and informative – thought provoking.

Any other comments? Seminar 4

Enjoyable and informative seminar

Suggest you mail out flyers to Environment and Land/River Care Groups in Southern Highlands area, as well as ACT and S. Tablelands and Shire Councils

As much as possible address the ways to educate the general public

The format worked well

I have greatly enjoyed participating and am sorry that I will in all likelihood not be present next year

Promote more among non-scientists – Richard is right

Excellent speaker and topics

Think globally – act locally – a focus on local application to link in general public with ‘experts’

Excellent series – hope it continues

What topics would you like to see discussed in the future? Seminar 4

Impact of GMOs on plant biodiversity

Focus on how to address issues

Future of taxonomy, Rapid Biodiversity Assessment

Issues of biodiversity in oceans

Sustainable Farming Practice and Biodiversity.

Biodiversity-Ecosystem function, land use change effects on biodiversity

Forestry/logging, RFA – did it work? Was the scientific input used effectively/give appropriate priority? Is it working? The Conservation priorities in Australia