This course explores how we can plan for improved biodiversity and ecosystems in cities in Victoria. The Course will identify why urban biodiversity is important, threats to local biodiversity and planning mechanisms that can be used to reduce these threats. It will also explore how cities provide opportunities for improved biodiversity outcomes, and how biodiversity can contribute to more liveable and healthy cities. The Course will explore how urban biodiversity intersects with:

• Global, National and State policy frameworks such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals, the EPBC Act and the Melbourne Strategic Assessment;
• Local biodiversity strategies and action plans such as the City of Melbourne’s Nature in the City Strategy and the Knox Biodiversity Resilience Strategy 2024-2034;
• Conservation planning tools such as mapping biodiversity corridors and conservation reserve design;
• The Victorian Planning Scheme and local planning processes, including neighbourhood character, landscape planning, development permits and open space planning;
• Other local government functions such as supporting community health and wellbeing, recreation, heritage and sense of place.

Designed For

Town planners, urban designers, open space planners, strategic planners, and other professionals interested in understanding how to minimise risks to biodiversity and maximise benefits from urban nature in cities.

Learning Outcomes

• Gain an understanding of the global to local policy frameworks supporting and promoting urban ecology and biodiversity, the threats to and benefits from urban biodiversity, and how nature can contribute to improved liveability of cities and wellbeing of local people.
• Develop the ability to evaluate opportunities to improve biodiversity outcomes across a range of planning scenarios, and apply planning tools to improve outcomes for biodiversity in local and open space planning, and in developing biodiversity strategy.

Presenter

Dr Dave Kendal. Director, Future in Nature
Dave is an internationally recognized expert on urban nature-based solutions, urban forests, climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation. He is a co-author of the Urban Biodiversity Playbook and led research on threatened species in Australian cities. He currently co-leads the Oceania region of the IUCN Specialist Group on Urban Ecosystems. Dave was a member of Australia’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee from 2015-2019. He has worked at the University of Tasmania, the University of Melbourne, and the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. In 2022, Dave started Future in Nature to have a greater impact on nature-related policy and programs in Australia and around the world.

Terms & Conditions

Registrations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the event date will not incur any fees and a full refund will be granted.

If you cannot attend and you are within 14 days of the event date, you can transfer your ticket to another person.

In all other situations we cannot issue a refund or credit.

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