Conservation and science

Victoria is home to the most diverse collection of landscapes in Australia. These landscapes support a wider range of ecosystems than any area of similar size in Australia. Our conservation programs help reduce threats and improve the health of our natural landscapes.

We know that to best look after something, we need to first understand what it is and how it works. That's why our conservation approach is based on best-practice science.

Parks contain the best of Victoria’s natural riches and a dazzling array of animal and plant species, habitats, ecosystems, landscapes and seascapes. They are central to the cultures of Victoria’s Traditional Owner Nations, our State’s identity, our environmental systems, our leisure, our health and wellbeing, and our economy.

However, we are facing unprecedented times and threats. Climate change is with us and its impacts are intensifying. The changing climate will not only bring its own threats – it will make many existing threats worse. Our challenge is to minimise the losses and damage as far as possible by maximising the health and resilience of species and ecosystems, by responding rapidly with protection and restoration action when impacts do occur, and by giving nature its greatest capacity to survive, adapt and even thrive in unknown future states.

The Nature Conservation Strategy is one key component of Parks Victoria’s strategic directions for managing the parks estate, set by the Land Management Strategy. The other key components are the Managing Country Together Framework, Healthy Parks Healthy People Framework.

If you love nature and would like to get involved, consider joining to our Citizen Science program. 

Conserving our parks

Our conservation programs help reduce threats and improve the health of our natural landscapes. Healthy parks mean healthy plants, animals and people, and provide the best nature experiences for visitors.

Learn more
A ranger in scuba gear cuts underwater weeds with scissors.

Science and research

Research is an important part of environmental management. It provides information to inform our decision making. Our staff undertake research programs to better understand how ecosystems, communities and species function; and understand and refine management programs.

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A scientist examines seedlings in a greenhouse

Victorian landscapes

A school of silvery fish swim over a bed of kelp.

Marine protected areas

In 2002, Victoria established one of the world's first systems of marine protected areas. The system is comprised of 24 marine national parks and sanctuaries and protects rocky reefs, seagrass meadows, kelp forests and ocean beaches.
Beaded Gecko in Victoria's Mallee region.

Our amazing diversity

Victoria is home to the most diverse collection of landscapes in Australia

Featured projects

Pine Gully at Warby Ovens National Park.

Warby Ovens National Park

In 2021 Warby Ovens National Park, on Yorta Yorta Country, was officially admitted to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. The IUCN Green List is the global standard for nature conservation recognising the best-managed sites on the planet. Warby-Ovens National Park is only the fourth site in Australia, and the first in Victoria, to be admitted to the IUCN Green List.
The Derby River as it winds its way to the coast.

Wilsons Prom Sanctuary

Through the Prom Sanctuary project, Wilsons Promontory National Park will become a 50,000 hectare climate change safe haven – where Victoria’s rich wildlife and habitats are freed from the pressures of introduced predators and pests.

Conservation news

Close up of Alpine Tree Frog

Listening to protect frogs on Lake Mountain

An exciting new research project in Yarra Ranges National Park is underway to learn more about the biodiversity of frogs in the Lake Mountain plateau.
Photo of kelp forest, taken by Parks Victoria

Saving Victoria's ecological anchors of the sea

Kelp forests host a higher diversity of plants and animals than almost any other ocean community in the world.
An emu walks in an open, grassy area at Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Using fire to restore habitat at Wilsons Prom

Some ecosystems within Wilsons Promontory National Park rely on fire to stay healthy and we use ecological planned burning to help their restoration and renewal.
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