Biodiversity protection

Bushfire recovery in east Gippsland

The 2019-20 fires have had a greater impact on Victorian biodiversity than any previous fire season, impacting on precious areas of botanical significance.

The extent and impact of the damage is different across Victoria’s many different ecosystems and landscapes – some will recover, and others may never be the same again. 

We are actively working with environmental experts, government and the community to determine the most effective response to the impacts of the fires, guided by science and using evidence-based decision making. We will continue to gather data to understand the impact on biodiversity in our state’s parks, which is expected to be large-scale and long-term.  

Recovery is not a simple process and some things will never be the same as they were before these events. It will be a long and continued conversation and take not just months, but years, to get ecosystems functioning again. 


In this video you can see how different ecosystems are recovering several months after fire, ranging from warm temperate rainforest and eucalypt forest which don’t usually experience fire, to heathlands and grass-tree plains which recover very well after fire.

 

Conservation 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.

As new information is available, we'll update this page with the latest conservation and recovery work that is underway. 

Conservation in parks

See the latest information about recovery and biodiversity protection.

Bushfire impacts on Victoria's environment

This is the first aerial biodiversity survey of Eastern Victoria following the 2019/20 bushfires. In early 2020, we participated in a 1,000km reconnaissance flight over 18 environmentally-significant sites, to see whether they were impacted by the fires.
Spotted gum seedling

The Spotted Gums of Mottled Range - before and after

Victoria’s only population of Spotted Gums suffered a direct hit with the East Gippsland fires. While impacts have been substantial, there are some signs of hope with tiny seedlings appearing in the ashes.
Image still from Feral goats in Victoria video, with play icon overlay.

Feral goats in Victoria

Feral animal control is just one way that we take care of Victoria’s native plants, animals and ecosystems. We have created this animation to simplify the complex story of how feral goats are impacting the natural environment in Victoria and what we are doing about them.
Image still from Rescuing threatened aquatic species after the East Gippsland bushfires video, with play icon overlay.

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.
Photo of The Horn at Mount Buffalo National Park with a play icon overlay.

Protecting our built heritage from fire at Mount Buffalo National Park

During January 2020 the Mount Buffalo National Park and its historic alpine chalet came under fire threat from a 100,000 hectare forest fire burning to the South West of the park. See how the team protected this building of architectural, historical and social significance.
Image still from Ensuring the survival of Eastern Bristlebirds in Victoria video, with play icon overlay.

Ensuring the survival of Eastern Bristlebirds in Victoria

Howe Flat in Croajingolong National Park is the only place in Victoria where the threatened Eastern Bristlebird lives. With the fires closing in at Cape Howe in Victoria's far-east, a team of scientists and wildlife experts flew in for an emergency rescue.

Plants in fire affected areas lead recovery

Parks across East Gippsland and North East Victoria have been seriously affected by fire. But while fire is still an issue, Mother Nature is already slowly starting to regenerate in some areas.
Alpine Huts wrapped to protect them from fire

Wrapping huts

Parks Victoria wrapped huts in the high country to protect them from the threat of fire.
Photo looking up at a gum tree

Conservation in parks

We're committed to conserving the natural environment
Forest Fire Management team

Fire affected parks

Here is the latest information on fire affected parks
Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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