T his document shows how we can integrate biodiversity conservation into actions and thinking right across the community, how current actions are already making a major contribution, and what more can be done. Individuals, community organisations, business and government can all play a role in conserving, and sustainably using, our living wealth — our ecosystem, species and genetic diversity.

Biodiversity conservation is an important part of the State Government’s policy agenda, and has been so for some time. The language in which this commitment has been expressed has changed, broadening from a focus on wildlife to flora and fauna conservation, and now to addressing the whole range of biodiversity, including ecosystems. Similarly, the scope of government, business and community actions and programs has broadened.

This is being driven by the increasing awareness of biodiversity challenges across a range of areas of activity, from forestry to coastal management. It is being accompanied by increasing knowledge of how ecosystems work, and how we can act to sustain them. This document confirms that biodiversity conservation is a central and essential part of responsible environmental management, not just by the Government, but by the whole community.

The strategic framework of principles and mechanisms that have been described provides pointers to guide a wide range of activities. It indicates how people can get on with the job, in areas from parks management to water rights allocation, while sustaining biodiversity. Their actions must be based on accepted principles of ecological management, risk management, and sustainable development.

Shared responsibility: the involvement of the community
Although there is still much we do not know about Victoria’s biodiversity, knowledge of our living wealth is improving. The gains in our knowledge, and our ability to access and use it, are accelerating with the impact of the ‘information revolution’. This is helping to empower a range of people, from local groups to businesses and landholders, in making use of information about biodiversity. In turn, individuals, business organisations and local action groups are contributing, and can further contribute, to building our knowledge base. Only a few of these efforts have been mentioned in this document. They are becoming increasingly important over time, as a part of the effective sharing of responsibility for conserving Victoria’s biodiversity. Federal, State and local governments are reinforcing this by recording, using and sharing the results, and providing feedback and encouragement to participants. This constitutes a critical element in achieving ecologically sustainable development in Victoria.

Outlook
Improving our knowledge of biodiversity and developing more robust approaches to sustaining it will be a long but rewarding process. Meanwhile, risks to vulnerable species and ecosystems, and risks from potentially damaging processes where there may be irreversible losses involved, are priorities. Victoria has robust legislation and processes for addressing such risks, particularly in the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

Victorians are placing increasing value on their landscape and sense of place, and their biological heritage is integral to this. Ultimately, the best outcomes for biodiversity will be achieved if all members of the community are proactive in building the goal of sustaining our living wealth into their thinking, planning, actions and lifestyles.