The CBC was well represented at the annual National Symposium on Biological Invasions held from 15th to 17th May, outside Tulbagh in the Western Cape. This 46th symposium was organised by Stellenbosch’s Centre for Invasion Biology (CIB) and SANBI. 

In total, there were 20 CBC staff and students who attended the symposium. Delegates presented both speed talks (3 minutes) as well as standard presentations of 15 minutes. A full list of CBC presentation is available here.

There were a wide range of delegates at the symposium – both students, academic as well as government officials. Peter Lukey, from the Department of Environmental Affaris, gave a very informative and insightful keynote address on ‘The future of biological invasions: a perspective from government’. There was also an international presence, from Andrew Robinson, based at the Centre for Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis, at the University of Melbourne, who gave an engaging address on ‘Risk assessment for biosecurity: Where to Next, and Why?’.

Next year the Centre for Biological Control and FABI (Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute) will co-host the National Symposium on Biological Invasions, which will be held from 13th to 15th May 2020, at the Future Africa Conference Centre at the University of Pretoria, Tshwane. Save the date!

CBC delegates at the annual National Symposium on Biological Invasions (Photo: Sophia Turner)