The School of Natural Resource Management of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) invites you to the 12th Fire Management Symposium:
“From commitments to action: Ecosystems based fire management for effective disaster risk reduction”
Date: 3-5 October 2018
Venue: George, NMU (George Campus), Southern Cape, South Africa
Background and purpose
Globally, effective wildfire management is impeded by a lack of integration between research results, technological development and efforts by fire managers to prevent, suppress and protect the environment, human wellbeing and assets against wildfire. This event aims to streamline the efforts of natural resource managers, engineers and scientists through an integrated approach to ensure better management throughout the wildfire community by making the different role-players aware of each other’s realities. You are invited to join fire managers and authorities from different disciplines and land uses (Nature Conservation, Agriculture, Disaster Management, Forestry, Local Authorities, etc.) for a range of informative presentations, and exciting networking opportunities.
Focus
Following the worst fire that we experienced in the history of South Africa in the Southern Cape on 7 June 2017 as well as numerous other urban interface fires in SA, we decided to dedicate our biannual wildfire symposium to the topic of Ecosystems based fire management risk.
Programme
The 2018 Fire Management Symposium promises to be a special event. Not only because of the unique setting of the venue in the heart of the Garden Route, but because of the conglomeration of top rated fire management specialists whom will share their expertise in a very practical and applied manner. Internationally renowned fire scientist Prof Dave Neal will deliver the key note address and will be supported by local fire specialists such as Prof Winston Trollope, Richard Cowling and others. We will also proudly host other international fire specialists from the USA as well as specialists from leading forestry companies in South Africa. The 2nd day of the event will provide the opportunity to visit the Knysna area that was devastated in the June 2017 fires. The Southern Cape Fire Protection Association (SCFPA) will host this day. A range of service providers and equipment manufacturers will have stalls at the event
In General
This event present opportunities to people from different entities and parts of South Africa to network. In addition, the world of scientists who are engaged in research will meet that of the hard core fire manager who gets the smoke of wildfires in his/her eyes. Due to the capacity of the venue only 200 delegates can be accepted for a specific day of the event. Final cost of the event has not been finalised but as in the past, will be very reasonable in order to provide the opportunity for everybody to afford attendance. The event dinner will take on the form of a spit braai with live music.
For more information contact tiaan.pool@mandela.ac.za 044-8015024/ or sonia.roets@mandela.ac.za 0448015091.
Source: Nelson Mandela University
