Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Vic

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Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Vic The Commissioner provides independent and objective scientific reporting to inform policy-makers, scientists and the community on natural environment.

Helen Vaughan PSM is the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability. www.ces.vic.gov.au All images supplied by Dr Julian Finn and David Paul at Museums Victoria, unless otherwise stated.

23/09/2026

September is National Biodiversity Month—a time to reflect and celebrate the variety of life around us and recognise how healthy ecosystems support our environment, communities and future generations.
Biodiversity includes all living things, including plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms, and the complex ecosystems they are part of. From forests, wetlands and grasslands to rivers, coastlines and urban green spaces, biodiversity provides essential services that sustain life. It helps purify air and water, pollinate crops, regulate climate, improve soil health and support cultural, recreational and economic wellbeing.
Across Victoria, biodiversity faces increasing pressures from habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and climate change. Protecting and restoring nature is critical for wildlife and the resilience and wellbeing of our communities.
Read our article for National Biodiversity Month: https://www.ces.vic.gov.au/news/why-biodiversity-matters-reflecting-nature-national-biodiversity-month

is an opportunity to reflect on the species that make Victoria unique and the actions needed to protect them.From the ...
08/09/2026

is an opportunity to reflect on the species that make Victoria unique and the actions needed to protect them.
From the Orange-bellied Parrot and Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby to the Platypus, Victoria is home to many species facing increasing pressures from habitat loss, invasive species, bushfires and climate change.

Victoria’s State of the Environment reporting found that biodiversity decline remains one of Victoria's most significant environmental challenges. Protecting threatened species requires ongoing investment in monitoring, habitat restoration, landscape connectivity and collaborative management. The reports highlight the importance of coordinated action to conserve habitats and support species recovery.

By protecting habitats, improving connectivity and supporting evidence-based conservation, we can help secure a future for Victoria's threatened plants and animals.

View our State of Reports: www.ces.vic.gov.au/state-of-reports

Photography: IainStych

01/09/2026

Happy National Wattle Day! Wattle is one of Australia's most iconic native plant groups. The golden wattles are a known familiar sign that spring is here – yet did you know wattle comes in different colours? Victoria is famous for a rare red-flowering wattle, the Scarlet Blaze.
Native wattles are a foundational species that first colonise an area following disturbance, then they set the stage (improving soils and environmental conditions) for later successional plant species to then come in. From providing food and habitat for wildlife to helping support healthy ecosystems, wattles play a valuable role to the health of Victoria's natural environment.
Earlier wattle flowering can signal climate change, with warmer winters causing many species to bloom weeks ahead of their usual late-winter and early-spring timing.
Victoria’s State of the Environment reports have identified that biodiversity remains under pressure across Victoria, reinforcing the importance of protecting and restoring native species and the habitats they depend on.
Learn more about the condition of Victoria's natural environment in the report: www.ces.vic.gov.au/state-of-reports and learn more about National Wattle Day: https://wattleday.asn.au/

We recently achieved an important milestone for environmental reporting in Victoria. Partnerships for Nature, the framew...
31/08/2026

We recently achieved an important milestone for environmental reporting in Victoria. Partnerships for Nature, the framework guiding State of the Environment reporting from 2026 to 2030, has been tabled in the Parliament of Victoria.

The framework recognises that scientific evidence, Traditional Owner knowledge, emerging technologies and strong partnerships, together provides a more holistic picture of the health of Victoria’s species, ecosystems and Country. This will help inform environmental decision-making for years to come. Healthy ecosystems depend on strong partnerships. Learn more: www.ces.vic.gov.au

Science Week is almost here! From 15 to 23 August 2026, National Science Week will bring science and technology to life ...
14/08/2026

Science Week is almost here! From 15 to 23 August 2026, National Science Week will bring science and technology to life across Australia through events, online activities, virtual tours, DIY experiments and more.

It’s a great chance to explore how science helps us understand our environment, ask better questions and make evidence-based decisions for the future.

Find an event or activity to join at www.scienceweek.net.au or read more in our article at www.ces.vic.gov.au/news/celebrate-national-science-week-2026

Today is , with taking place this weekend. Congratulations to everyone across Victoria joining Australia’s largest tr...
24/07/2026

Today is , with taking place this weekend. Congratulations to everyone across Victoria joining Australia’s largest tree planting and nature care event. Planting native trees helps create habitat and care for the places we share. Find a planting site near you: https://nationaltreeday.org.au/find-a-site/

It was a privilege to be part of the 2026 Awards and celebrate Victorian schools leading practical sustainability acti...
24/06/2026

It was a privilege to be part of the 2026 Awards and celebrate Victorian schools leading practical sustainability action across their communities.

Commissioner Helen Vaughan presented the Curriculum Leadership School of the Year awards to Wandin North Primary School and Box Hill High School, recognising their outstanding leadership in embedding into the . Congratulations to all finalists and winners, and to the students, teachers and school communities helping build a more sustainable Victoria.

Read more in our article: https://www.ces.vic.gov.au/news/victorian-schools-recognised-sustainability-leadership Sustainability Victoria

ouToday is . In 2026, the global focus is on climate change—on the signals the Earth is sending, and the signals we cho...
05/06/2026

ouToday is . In 2026, the global focus is on climate change—on the signals the Earth is sending, and the signals we choose to send back.

Across the world, communities are seeing the impacts of a changing climate. And we are also seeing solutions—many inspired by nature—taking shape. UN Environment Programme's global campaign calls on all of us to step in and help steer a world already in motion.

For Victoria, this means continuing to strengthen our understanding of the environment, protect biodiversity, and support evidence-based action that builds resilience for the future.
View article www.ces.vic.gov.au/www.ces.vic.gov.au/news/victoria-marks-world-environment-day-2026

Each year, migratory birds connect ecosystems across continents – including here in Victoria. Did you know Phillip Islan...
15/05/2026

Each year, migratory birds connect ecosystems across continents – including here in Victoria. Did you know Phillip Island hosts one of the world’s largest colonies of short-tailed shearwaters – a bird that migrates all the way from Alaska? Protecting wetlands, coastlines and habitats helps safeguard these remarkable journeys.

The State of the Marine and Coastal Environment 2024 Report highlights the importance of Victoria’s coastal and wetland ecosystems for biodiversity, these habitats underpin species such as migratory shorebirds, which rely on healthy coastal environments to feed, rest and breed along international flyways. Link: https://lnkd.in/g-yugacQ

This April, puts the spotlight on community-led data that helps make our environment healthier. Citizen science plays ...
16/04/2026

This April, puts the spotlight on community-led data that helps make our environment healthier. Citizen science plays a big part in supporting the Commissioner’s work to build stronger evidence for Victoria’s environmental health.

Scientific reviews behind the Commissioner’s State of reports rely on citizen science projects like litter monitoring as one of the main sources of publicly available scientific information, alongside peer-reviewed studies, government data and expert opinions.
Citizen science boosts the evidence base by bringing in observations from more locations. This helps spot environmental changes and new challenges that might be missed otherwise. Anyone can get involved – from tracking local wildlife to monitoring environmental quality or recording changes to help shape better decisions.

You’ll find citizen science highlighted under ‘Stewardship and Collaborative Management’ in both the State of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks 2025 Report and the State of Marine and Coastal Environment 2024 Report. These reports showcase activities like dune monitoring, weeding, revegetation, and community efforts to raise awareness about coastal values and issues. Check out the State of Reports www.ces.vic.gov.au/state-of-reports

Image: Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary. Credit: Parks Victoria

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