Conservation and science

We are committed to conservation. 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.

As the organisation responsible for managing 18 per cent of Victoria’s landmass, 75 per cent of Victoria’s wetlands and 70 per cent of Victoria’s coast, we are one of the most important contributors to native species survival in the wild and are responsible for deciding what actions to take to ensure that Victoria’s parks are healthy.We identify the highest priorities to conserve each of these different landscapes, then develop plans and actions to address those priorities and tackle the threats that pose the most risk to the environment.

Learn more about our conservation programs.

Biodiversity and bushfire recovery

Following the bushfires, work is underway to assess the extent and impact of damage to parks and work out the best way to protect Victoria’s most vulnerable and threatened native plants and wildlife. Guided by science we're gathering data to understand the impacts on biodiversity in our state’s parks, which is expected to be large-scale and long-term.

Unfortunately, some parks have been badly affected by fires and some areas may remain closed for a long period of time. To find out which parks are currently impacted by bushfire visit the Fire Affected Parks page.

Visit our Biodiversity Protection page for the latest information and projects related to biodiversity and bushfire recovery or watch our latest bushfire recovery video below.

Featured conservation projects

The view of the rock formations at Hollow Mountain in the Grampians National Park.

Feral animals

Australia's native plants and animals have adapted to life on an isolated continent over millions of years. Parks Victoria takes action to control feral animals in Victoria’s national parks and reserves to protect natural and cultural values and meet legislative obligations.

Rescuing threatened aquatic species after the East Gippsland bushfires

We provided support to the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research for their emergency extractions of native fish, crayfish and mussels from fire-impacted areas. Scientists carefully moved the aquatic animals to a special aquarium where they will be kept as an insurance policy, until they can be returned to the wild.

A dirt path weaves among trees and past a park bench at the Tyakil Nature Walk in Wyperfeld National Park.

Conservation Action Plans

Conservation Action Plans (CAPs) are the tool to carefully target our conservation efforts to achieve the best outcomes for ecosystems and species with the available resources.

Science and research

Nature is complicated and we will never know it all. But 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.

Research is an important part of environmental management. It provides objective, reliable information to underpin and support sound decision making. Our staff undertake research programs in partnership with many different organisations, enabling us to deal with uncertainty or knowledge gaps; understand how ecosystems, communities and species function; and understand and refine management programs.

Learn more about our science and research programs.

Our amazing diversity

Victoria is home to the most diverse collection of landscapes in Australia. These landscapes support a wider range of ecosystems than any area of a similar size in Australia. The ecosystems found in Victoria include alpine, mallee, grasslands and grassy woodlands, forests, heathlands and heathy woodlands, inland waters and estuaries, coasts and marine areas (which are made up of even more ecosystems).

Parks are home to over 4,300 native plant species and 948 native animal species. Our ecosystems are a scientific, cultural, spiritual and economic inheritance that is distinctly Victorian, and one that we must conserve and manage for future generations.

Learn more about Victoria’s diverse ecosystems and threatened species.

Virtually explore Victoria's parks

Virtually explore some of Victoria's spectacular places through these 360-degree videos and learn about what makes them unique.

Still image from Diving with Long-nosed Fur Seals at Gabo Island 360 video part 2 video.

Swim with the seals at Gabo Island

Home to the second-tallest lighthouse in Australia, Gabo Island is a place that not many people have had the pleasure of visiting. Even fewer have been lucky enough to get under the water here, and with this 360-degree video you can experience diving here with playful Long-nosed Fur Seals.

Fly over Mount Buffalo National Park

You can almost smell the crisp, fresh air as you watch this 360-degree video showcasing some of the most impressive parts of Mount Buffalo National Park - giant tors, deep gorges, tranquil alpine meadows, tumbling waterfalls, Snow Gum woodlands and spectacular panoramic views of the nearby Alps.

Twelve Apostles at Port Campbell National Park

Fly over the Twelve Apostles

In this 360-degree video you can fly over the Apostles, marvel at the vast Southern Ocean, admire the scrubby coastal vegetation and stare up at the night sky.

Fly over Wilsons Promontory National Park

In this 360-degree video you can experience the sunrise from the top of Mount Oberon, watch the waves rolling in at Tidal River and fly over some of the most beautiful nature areas in the state.

Beaded Gecko in Victoria's Mallee region.

Our amazing diversity

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

A brush tailed phascogale clings to a dead tree limb

Biodiversity protection

Following the bushfires, work is underway to assess the extent and impact of damage to parks. Guided by science we're gathering data to understand the impacts on biodiversity for our flora and fauna.

The Heads of Port Phillip taken from Point Nepean National Park.

Conserving our parks

We are committed to conservation

Science and research

Nature is complicated and we will never know it all