Environmental biosecurity stakeholder engagement

Environmental biosecurity is in everyone’s interest. We are an integral part of our environment, and all of us benefit from the many ecosystem services it provides.

The environment is an irreplaceable, majestic and greatly-loved asset providing immeasurable benefits for the entire nation to enjoy. It is because of this that we all have a role to play in protecting and enhancing the health of our environment.

Effective environmental biosecurity is only possible if we work together. It requires partnership and collaboration between governments, industry and the community working together to reduce the risk to Australia’s ecosystems from exotic pests, weeds and diseases. The Environmental Biosecurity Office engages with stakeholders from across Australia to build our capacity to prevent, detect and respond to environmental biosecurity risks. Our aim is to develop strong environmental biosecurity networks, improve awareness and education and encourage active participation in protecting our unique environment.

Engagement activities by Environmental Biosecurity Office include:

• hosting the annual environmental biosecurity webinar series
• upporting Australia’s membership of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
• providing secretariat support for the Environmental Biosecurity Advisory Group
• driving collaboration through the Environmental Biosecurity Project Fund
• supporting the Australian Biosecurity Symposium 
• engaging citizen science networks in environmental biosecurity efforts.

Environmental biosecurity webinar series

Since 2020, the annual environmental biosecurity webinar series has provided a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration amongst all tiers of government, Landcare and NRM organisations, researchers, conservation groups and leading plant and animal health bodies.

Webinar speakers come from Commonwealth, and state and territory governments, non-government organisations, research institutions and community groups. Presentations cover environmental biosecurity perspectives dealing with operations on the ground and hands-on programs through to legislation and policy perspectives, including national level strategic thinking.

Learn more about our webinar series, including how to register for this year’s program.

Environmental biosecurity roundtables

From 2016-2020 the department held bi-annual environmental biosecurity roundtables in Canberra and elsewhere around Australia. The events attracted attendees from around the country representing all tiers of government, land and NRM organisations, researchers, conservation groups and leading plant and animal health bodies. During the events participants shared knowledge, built valuable networks and discussed how we can work together to protect Australia’s environment, way of life and clean, green reputation from the threat of exotic pests and diseases.

Reports on previous environmental roundtables