This discussion of biodiversity conservation management recognises that, in general, the different approaches adopted depend on the extent of biodiversity assets that remain in the environment, the intactness of ecological processes and the related level of human habitation and use. In largely natural systems there are greater possibilities to allow the continuation of broad-scale ecological processes such as migrations and natural population fluctuations. There is also typically a greater range of options and more flexibility for planning to meet conservation requirements. In areas where natural ecosystems are more fragmented, typical of rural Victoria, natural ecological processes have been significantly altered at the broad scale by the history of clearing. In these landscapes our approaches, in partnership with landholders, therefore need to be more proactive, focusing on habitat restoration and intervention to control pests and predators and inappropriate population levels of native species. In the urban systems, where the ‘footprint’ of human habitation dominates, the impacts and on-going pressures on biodiversity are greatest, but opportunities for local stewardship and education are also significant.