Researchers from UQ, the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and staff from the Singapore National Parks Board (NParks), met in Singapore on February 8-9 2018 with an aim to strengthen the collaborative links in conservation science between these institutions.

Scientists and managers from NUS and NParks gave talks providing an overview of Singapore’s current conservation and parks management arrangements, and discussed research needs and challenges. Six speakers from UQ (Kerrie Wilson, Angela Dean, Marie Dade, Micha Jackson, Jeff Hanson and Chris Baker) then delivered a well-attended public seminar focussed on applying decision science to conservation.

A day of workshopping followed these presentations and aimed to identify the relative needs, strengths and areas of research expertise across the institutions, and to identify potential areas of and mechanisms for research collaboration. Particular focus was given to novel ecosystems, coastal development, and urban green infrastructure. Strong collaborative potential were identified across all themes. Following the workshop, UQ visitors were treated to an outing at the Labrador Nature Reserve hosted by NParks staff.

“The two days provided important insight into the significant challenges of reconciling development, human needs and conservation goals in the Asia Pacific region” says Kerrie Wilson, Professor at UQ and Director of CEED. “By collaborating across academic institutions and with government partners we will be much better placed for finding solutions to their challenges”.

Special thanks goes to Dr. Kwek Yan Chong and his research staff for their instrumental effort in organising the workshop.