A University of the Sunshine Coast symposium will share insights and strengthen partnerships to help shape the future of K’gari, one of Australia’s most iconic World Heritage-listed landscapes.
These two-day Voices of K’gari: Research, Respect and Responsibility 2025 Conference on 10–11 November at UniSC’s Fraser Coast campus will bring together Traditional Owners, researchers, citizen scientists, conservationists and community leaders.
Conference themes include cultural knowledge and heritage management, exploring traditional practices, archaeological insights, and the role of cultural burning in ecosystem health.
Discussions will focus on visitor and resource management to increase understanding of the effects of tourism and strategies for sustainable visitation.
Other themes will address marine and freshwater systems, and the geological forces shaping K’gari’s future, the impacts of fire and climate change on rare plants and wildlife, and the preservation of cultural resources.
The conference is supported by the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation for K’gari (FIDO), FINIA the Natural Integrity Alliance for K’gari and other key partners.
UniSC conference organiser Dr Kim Walker said K’gari was more than a natural wonder, it was a living cultural landscape, deeply connected to the Butchulla People and home to unique ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth.
“As pressures grow to increase the island’s resilience to global climate change and other impacts, the need for collaborative, respectful, and informed action has probably never been greater,” she said.
“This is a rare opportunity to engage with the latest research, hear directly from Traditional Owners, and contribute to meaningful, long-term conservation efforts.
“Whether you’re a scientist, student, policymaker, or community member, all voices matter in shaping the future of K’gari.”
