WAI Wānaka is hosting a two-day science and community event focused on the future of Otago’s deep alpine lakes - the Alpine Lakes Forum 2025 - next month.

Co-hosted with the University of Otago and Otago Regional Council, the forum invites locals to engage directly with leading freshwater scientists, policy-makers, and environmental advocates, the local non-profit organisation said.

Building on the success of 2023’s Knowledge into Action for Otago’s Alpine Deep-Water Lakes Summit, this year’s forum shifts from expert-only sessions to “a more inclusive, community-facing format”, the group said.

The goal: to bring together scientific experts, policy-makers and community members to explore the health and future of Otago’s deep lakes and freshwater ecosystems.

“We’re thrilled to bring Alpine Lakes Forum 2025 to the community,” WAI Wānaka CEO Cat Dillon said.

“The 2023 summit was incredibly valuable, but not accessible to the general public. This time, we’re creating space for locals to connect directly with experts.

“We see ourselves as a bridge between science experts and our community – and this forum is a chance to learn, collaborate and take action together.”

The forum offers a diverse programme across two days, with themes of freshwater management, ecological monitoring, valuing nature and freshwater ecosystems, and community action.

Cat said the diverse programme offers “a unique opportunity to explore themes of ecological monitoring, valuing nature and community-led freshwater action”.

Find more information here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App