Three scientists from the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON) participated in the annual Conservation Symposium in Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in November 2023. The Conservation Symposium serves as a bridge between conservation practitioners, scientists and policymakers. 

The symposium promotes interdisciplinary connections and showcases impactful research. It provides an effective platform for researchers to demonstrate the relevance of their work in addressing real-world conservation problems, and to identify new applied research opportunities and directions. It also provides a platform for training and skills development for conservation science and monitoring.

With the Biodiversity Economy as its theme, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and their partners put together a diverse platform to share ideas and lessons, collaborate, connect and find solutions to matters concerning the Biodiversity Economy. The sessions mostly focused on climate change and its impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, but also addressed other problems such as alien invasive species in South Africa.

A key session which caught the attention of many delegates was the introduction of biodegradable absorbent hygiene products into rural communities. This is an initiative that should be prioritised in conservation actions as more and more rivers and water systems are being filled with used disposable nappies and sanitary pads. Strategies to combat this issue include awareness campaigns in affected communities about the impacts of used nappies on the ecosystem when disposed of in the incorrect manner, as well as alternative options such as biodegradable reusable nappies and sanitary pads.