Kindly hosted again by Sydney Airport, the aviation industry came together again for the 2008 AAWHG education and information sharing forum.

Presentations were made at the forum by a number of experts in the field of bird and animal hazard management.

Stephanie Bolt provided a presentation on the Australian Airport Association draft Bird and Wildlife Risk Assessment Model which was later finalised in 2009. Stephanie also provided an update on the activities of the AAWHG in 2008.

Dean Stanton of the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau presented a report covering bird strikes reported between 2002 and 2006. Some of the other presentations included:

• a joint talk workshop facilitated by Canberra Airport and Sydney Airports covering topics on birdstrike identification, reporting and documentation
• a  presentation from Sydney Airport on their Wildlife Hazard Management program
• A presentation from Townsville Airport and James Cook University on the risk of Mega Bats (Flying foxes).

An open discussion forum, with an expert panel, wrapped up the day. Questions raised were able to be answered by the panel and attendees in the audience who had a great deal of collective experience and expertise.