2025 Cumberland Plain Research Symposium

Written By Vera Brinkel

On 26 August 2025, 155 participants from universities, government agencies, Aboriginal organisations, industry, not-for-profits, and community groups gathered at Western Sydney University’s Parramatta City Campus for the Cumberland Plain Research Symposium.

The symposium created a space for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and networking - all with the shared goal of improving conservation and restoration outcomes in Western Sydney.

Highlights from the day

The day began with an inspiring Welcome to Country by Uncle Chris Tobin, Western Sydney University Aboriginal Elder and proud Darug man, who grounded the event in culture and Country.

Elizabeth Irwin (NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure) provided an update on the government’s Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP), highlighting on-ground actions already underway as part of this 35-year program.

Aboriginal Insights

  • Joshua Staines (Penrith City Council; Western Sydney University) gave an engaging talk on cultural burning and water management.

  • Associate Professor Emilie Ens (Macquarie University) presented her Edible Roots project, co-led with Darug women, which combines scientific and Aboriginal knowledge.

  • Kate Richards (Western Sydney University) highlighted the need to revitalise the connection between science and Aboriginal Law/Lore.

People’s Perspectives

  • Emmanuel Ugwu (Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment) shared insights from his survey on people’s perspectives of private land conservation.

  • Dr Claudine Moutou (NSW DCCEEW) showed how community attitudes and behaviours toward nature are shifting.

Restoring Ecosystems

  • Dr Emma Gorrod (NSW DCCEEW) presented an adaptive management framework for ecological restoration with nested experiments.

  • Paola Pisetta Raupp (WSU) explored how soil properties vary across degradation gradients.

  • Professor Martin Bryant (UTS) called attention to conserving and restoring chain-of-ponds systems in urban landscapes.

  • Awapa Jirabanjongjit & Vidula Varadarajan (WSU) demonstrated the importance of pollination for native seed production.

  • Dr Paul Angel (Canterbury Bankstown Council) showed how data platforms can inform conservation decision-making.

  • Dr Samantha Travers (NSW DCCEEW) provided insights into the ecological services enabled by rewilding.

Conserving Species

  • Liza Schaeper (NSW DCCEEW) highlighted the role of the Saving Our Species program in protecting threatened species.

  • Caitlin Dagg (WSU) demonstrated how LiDAR data can predict biodiversity across the Cumberland Plain.

  • Chaminda Alahakoon (WSU) presented on how native plants respond to temperature and water stress.

  • Associate Professor Ian Wright (WSU) discussed the urgent need to restore degraded waterways.

  • Professor Rachael Gallagher (WSU) advocated for activating seed banks to secure plant diversity into the future.

Watch the presentations

For those who could not attend, or who would like to revisit key sessions, selected presentations from the symposium are now available.

If a presentation you are interested in is not listed, please contact us and we will help connect you with the presenter.

PRESENTATIONS

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Thank you

Collectively, the Cumberland Plain Research Program is helping to fill key knowledge gaps and improve conservation and restoration outcomes across Western Sydney.

We thank Local Land Services, the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for their support.

Special thanks to all our speakers, chairs, student helpers, and attendees for making the day a success.

We look forward to welcoming you back to the 2026 Symposium.

Vera Brinkel