From little things big things grow! 

 

 

After attending the 2005 International Conference on Environmental Enrichment held in New York, the idea of the benefits in holding regional enrichment conferences around the globe was formulated by staff from Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, UK.

 

I agreed that this was a wonderful idea and then went back home to Australia. Not long after returning home Julian Chapman contacted me with his plans to hold the 1^st UK & Ireland Regional Environmental Enrichment Conference (REEC) and asked if Melbourne Zoo would consider hosting a similar conference for the Australasian region. I agreed, not knowing if this was something we could get people interested in attending. Much to our delight it was very much supported by delegates from all of the major zoos in Australia and New Zealand. By closing of registration we had attracted 98 delegates.

 

The 1^st Australasian Regional Environmental Enrichment Conference was hosted at Melbourne Zoo in Australia, November 2006. A small team was assembled to assist in the preparation and running of the conference, consisting of Rohan Cleave, Andrew EkinSmyth and Margaret Hawkins. With their dedication and enthusiasm we achieved an interesting and informative conference on a very small budget.

 

Zoo managers were a little reluctant to agree to the conference initially, however with the support and encouragement of one of the Curatorial staff Jan Steele; we were given two days and a small budget to pull it together.  Registration was kept to a minimum to allow zoo professionals, animal care attendants, teachers and volunteers the opportunity to attend.

 

Our guest speakers included Margaret Hawkins Behavioural Biologist from Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia, Kerrie Haynes Lovell who has many years working in the zoo community, in particular with Polar Bears, Vicky Melfi, Research associate, Science department Paignton Zoo, United Kingdom, Valerie Hare, Shape of Enrichment, San Diego, USA and Julian Chapman the inspiration behind this brilliant idea who also comes from Paignton Zoo. We were extremely delighted that our talented guests agreed to speak about their respective areas of expertise and with these amazing people on board we were sure that the conference would be a success.

 

We could not however have imagined just how successful the conference would have been. With 98 delegates our wonderful Friends of the Zoo volunteers (FOTZ) and a couple of sunny days we had an amazing opportunity to share everyone’s enthusiasm for enrichment. It was truly inspiring to hear the presentations that were both diverse in topic and enlightening. Along with the other delegates l made new contacts who share a passion in this field and also learnt new and interesting facts from other organizations while also highlighting some of the less know enrichment techniques being used with Australian Fauna.

 

One of our goals was to continue the momentum through the (REEC) and follow up with ongoing conferences within the region.  It is with much satisfaction that these conferences will continue into the future with support.  We would like to announce that Auckland Zoo, New Zealand has agreed to host the 2^nd Regional Enrichment Conference in 2008. We would also like to thank them for committing to this event and look forward to working with them on this.  From small ideas and a little drive and support we can all make a difference to the animals in our care.  Education and shared experience cannot be underrated and the possibilities of regional conference are a wonderful means for bringing us together. We would strongly encourage more organizations to consider hosting a regional conference to compliment the International Conference on enrichment as a way of staying in touch, sharing ideas and having fun. It’s From Little Things That Big Things Grow.

 

 

Thank you,

 

Sheila Roe and Rohan Cleave

REEC Australasia Committee

 

 

Following are some comments from delegates who attended the 2006 conference in Melbourne, Australia.

 

“The conference gave me plenty of opportunity to meet many like minded people and has given a lot of ideas to take back to my place of work!”

 

“Great diversity of presentation topics-ideas can be adapted to other species.  Very well organised, interesting”

 

“Well done, a great motivational 2 days”

 

“Thank you to Melbourne Zoo and those who worked so hard to make it such a wonderful two days, sharing such great knowledge and ideas, in such a pleasant environment.  I would certainly encourage other members of the Zoological Society to attend!”

 

“Do another one!  Would have loved another day”

 

 

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