The Urban Grassland and Local Community Engagement Seminar’s healthy attendance on 18 September 2007 clearly demonstrated that expertise in this field is eagerly sought. The challenge of effectively involving diverse communities in grassland conservation is too complex for a single day event to address adequately, so the resource links below may support your next steps:

When planning events or programs we encourage you use the contact list (emailed to participants) to network with other participants and to consider engaging the services of a Bilingual Park Guide. These guides can be contacted through Parks Victoria 131963 or Dimi at Merri Creek Management Committee. The questions asked in the “Seminar Responses” document can be used to plan events, as can many of the ideas posted in the responses. Further community engagement information can be accessed through Scott Bonar’s book “The Conservation Professional’s Guide to working with People” (Island Press 2007) mentioned in Brian Bainbridge’s presentation is available through Andrew Isles Bookstore, Prahran, and the DSE website link below offers a comprehensive workbook as well as training courses.

The seminar was a significant undertaking for MCMC; it was the first seminar we have conducted. We would value your feedback very much and ask that you take 10 minutes to complete the evaluation form (MS word 345KB) and email this back to Katrina Roberg This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by 10 November.

The "Community Engagement in Urban Grasslands" was a component of the Northern Nature Creek Connections project funded by the Natural Heritage Trust.  The venue and catering for the seminar were provided by Delfin Lend Lease.