Nicole Spiegel, Member – Australian Organising Committee.
As a member of the Australian Organising Committee of the 12th International Rangeland Congress (XII IRC) and the IRC Continuing Committee, I write to convince you and inspire you to attend the XII IRC in Adelaide in June 2025 (https://irc2025.rangelandcongress.org/), a highly regarded international rangelands event being held in our own backyard!
The theme of the Congress is Working together for our global rangelands future. The Congress will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, land of the Garna people.
Why act now?
June 2025 is not that far away and a third announcement for the Congress has already been released (see website), highlighting important key dates that are fast approaching! You can already register your interest now, to participate, to be a sponsor or host a trade exhibit or weekend workshop, or to take part in a pre-Congress tour.
ABSTRACT AND PROPOSALS FOR THEMATIC SESSIONS ARE NOW OPEN, ALONG WITH REGISTRATION. DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS IS JUNE 2, 2024.
Why should this interest you?
Not only is this an opportunity to show case your own great work and passion for the rangelands, but it is also the perfect platform to hear from and network with rangeland experts and practitioners from around the globe. The Program sub-committee is busy working on securing keynote speakers from all corners of the globe to promote stimulating and diverse discussion on many of the opportunities and challenges facing the rangelands. Topics will cover social, ecological, and economic aspects of rangelands.
An exciting inclusion to the XII IRC will be a program session and activities for the 2026 proclaimed International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (https://iyrp.info/).
Did you know?
This will be the third time Australia has hosted an IRC. The first and second time was back in Adelaide in 1984 and then in Townsville in 1999.
The International delegate sub-committee has set an ambitious target to support the attendance of 100 overseas delegates from low- and middle-income countries. Sponsorship received from international partners will go towards supporting this aspiration.
What else can you look forward to?
The Congress will celebrate the Australian Rangeland Society’s 50th birthday. There will also be an Indigenous Knowledge Forum to explore and promote traditional knowledge and partnerships. The Tours sub-committee has also developed a range of exciting tour options, both Pre-Congress tours and Mid-Congress tours. Interest in Pre-Congress tours is already being registered by eager delegates, with 5 fantastic tours planned around Australia commencing in different parts of the country, such as Alice Springs, and ending in Adelaide. Register your interest now to avoid disappointment!
We also need you!
Our ‘Publications’ sub-committee is looking for additional support to assist with reviewing of paper and abstract submissions. These are all voluntary positions. And for the NextGen offer growth opportunities. So, reach out to us.
Our committee members
The Australian Organising Committee for the XII IRC is a diverse group of rangelands enthusiasts from all over Australia. Together we manage all aspects of the Congress planning and execution from tours to the program, publications, finance and sponsorship, international liaison, and delegate support, to local logistics and Indigenous involvement. We have partnered with All Occasions Group in Adelaide as our professional congress organiser to deliver a dynamic Congress for all to enjoy. We also welcome renowned rangeland ecologist Dr Cathy Waters to the team – our newest member and Co-Chair.
Some of our committee members working hard!
Save the date!
Spread the word and visit the IRC-2025 website and register your interest to attend, to be a sponsor, to have a trade display, to run a workshop, to go on a tour, and don’t forget to submit an abstract.
So, I hope you are convinced to attend the 12th International Rangeland Congress in Adelaide in 2025. Australia’s third IRC, where we can come together, journey through diverse Australian rangelands whilst gaining greater perspective from international delegates to further address the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing the global rangelands and its communities.
In short, see you in Adelaide in 2025 where we can be working together for our global rangelands future.