EIANZ 2025 Insects in Crisis Symposium

EIANZ 2025 Insects in Crisis Symposium

4 July 2025 | Canberra ACT

Insects are at the heart of our ecosystems – and these tiny yet essential creatures are in crisis. Recognising the urgent need for environmental practitioners to turn their focus to insects’ protection, EIANZ is pleased to announce our 2025 Insects in Crisis Symposium in Canberra on Friday 4 July 2025. The loss of insects is considered an even more pressing threat than climate change, with its impacts likely to be felt sooner. The consequences could include a drastic decline in the availability of nutritious food—a reality we cannot afford to ignore. EIANZ strongly advocates for active engagement and evidence-based environmental management to safeguard the unique insect species of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The urgency of this crisis is underscored by alarming data.

In late 2024, ABC Science reported that one to three insect species are estimated to go extinct every week in Australia. Earlier that year, ABC News highlighted the damaging effects of pollution on beneficial insects. The warning signs are not new; Radio New Zealand hosted discussions in 2020 calling for action on insect declines, and in 2019, the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor posed a critical question: Is Aotearoa losing its insects? This symposium serves as a pivotal gathering for environmental practitioners, regulators, and researchers to delve into the problem, explore its challenges, and discuss actionable solutions.

Symposium themes

The symposium’s themes will align with EIANZ’s key areas of interest, which currently are:

• Climate Change
• Ecology
• Impact Assessment and Environmental data
• Heritage & Land

What to expect

Through expert led discussions and collaborative sessions, attendees will explore the intersection of these themes with the insect conservation crisis. The symposium aims to bring together professionals from diverse sectors such as agriculture, forestry, education, science, technical services, and public administration, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to this critical issue. Join us in taking an essential step toward understanding and addressing the decline of insects.

Who should attend?

Whether you’re a seasoned or emerging practitioner, a student, or simply passionate about a sustainable future, the symposium will offer invaluable insights, and networking opportunities to advance your knowledge and understanding of the importance of insects and the risks to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand if we lose them. Professionals from any business, industry, research or government sector with an interest in entomology, invertebrates, wildlife conservation and food security are encouraged to join us at this timely symposium.

Please note: AELERT members are also eligible for the EIANZ member discount.

Registrations are now open – find out more about this event and register via the EIANZ website