Biodiversity

The University of Melbourne campuses feature magnificent natural and created landscapes with a rich abundance of flora and fauna. They are regarded as some of the best managed and highly biodiverse privately owned landscapes in Victoria. This urban and rural biodiversity adds value to all aspects of university life for students, staff and visitors.

Measuring our on-campus biodiversity

The University is measuring and preserving its on-campus biodiversity through the Biodiversity Baseline Data Project.

Using seven pioneering biodiversity metrics, the project aspires to help the University in achieving no net loss of on-campus biodiversity.

Find out more

Two University of Melbourne interns and one staff member standing in front of a eucalyptus tree at Sheparton campus

Bees@UniMelb

Watch the video to learn about why bees are so important to the urban biodiversity.

Bees@UniMelb is an initiative that aims to educate staff and students about bees and beekeeping on campus.

Currently there are six hives located across Parkville and Southbank campuses, including the Australia-first chimney hive in the System Garden.

Take a moment to read about The Great Honey Wars, or click below to register your interest to pre-order honey.

Depending on the beekeeping season, the hives can produce an excess of honey for harvest. This is available for purchase from time to time from honey-sale stalls, which are advertised in the staff and student sustainability newsletter.

Protecting our biodiversity for future generations

Mapping trees on campus

Urban forests are vital to health of cities and our University campuses. However, construction projects and climate change place urban forests under pressure.

The University aims to protect its trees into the future through maintaining a record of their location and species details on campus. Our interactive map shows tree records on the Parkville, Southbank, Burnley and Werribee campuses and displays information such as National Trust Tree register and Tree Vulnerability Risk.

Launch  interactive  map

Biodiversity Management Plan

To maintain its world-class landscapes, the University has established biodiversity targets that cover aspects of operations, research, and teaching and learning in its Biodiversity Management Plan 2017-2020. Fulfilment of targets will help the University preserve its diverse on-campus biodiversity for future generations to come.

The Biodiversity Management Plan 2022–2030 is planned for release in March 2022 and aims to advance the University as a leader in conservation of species both on and off campus.

Download Biodiversity Plan