The Conservation Regulator recognises that education and engagement is one of the most important ways to promote the safe and respectful use of our State forests.
Education
Lesson plans
In 2024 we developed and released five free lesson plans, aimed at school years one to six. These lesson plans link directly to the Victorian curriculum and explore topics of:
- The importance of looking after the environment.
- The rules that exist to protect our native plants and animals.
- The role that rules play in preserving the cultural and natural heritage of Victoria’s landscapes.
In the first year, the programs have been downloaded 370 times by 60 unique Victorian educators, with an estimated reach of 11,160 students.
Based on this success, we expanded our curriculum linked education resources with the inclusion of two additional lesson plans (and associated promotion and reporting) for secondary school students in June 2025.
Pre-Christmas wildlife dealer engagement
In December 2024, the Conservation Regulator reached out to 48 licensed wildlife dealers in Victoria to educate members of the public and build upon our proactive engagement with licence holders. Wildlife dealers were encouraged to ensure their prospective customers consider the rules, commitment and care and equipment required when buying wildlife as a pet for themselves, or as a gift. By engaging directly with wildlife dealers, we were able to educate them about the rules in place for wildlife care while also giving them the tools and resources to communicate these conditions and care requirements to the broader community.
Wildlife crime educational video
This year we developed a video to help educate the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation community in Victoria to better understand wildlife crime.
Developed in consultation with Wildlife Victoria, the video outlines:
- What the Conservation Regulator is and the work we do.
- What wildlife crime is and how we investigate it.
- How we would like members of the community to report wildlife crime and the things we would like them to report.
Engagement
Grey-headed flying-fox fruit tree netting partnership project
The Conservation Regulator, Zoos Victoria, RSPCA Victoria, Wildlife Victoria, Animal Welfare Victoria and DEECA teams have partnered to address the danger illegal household netting poses to wildlife, especially the threatened grey-headed flying-fox, and remind household growers to use safe, compliant fruit tree netting.
Since 1 September 2021, it has been illegal in Victoria to use or sell household fruit tree netting with a mesh size bigger than 5 millimetres by 5 millimetres, as larger mesh netting is more likely to entangle, distress, and seriously injure or kill animals.
The partnership aims to reduce the risk to wildlife by increasing awareness and reminding households to use safe, compliant fruit tree netting. Activities conducted as part of this project include a media release, and subsequent press coverage, joint social media posts, engagement with local councils and awareness at events with more activities planned over the next two years.
Campfire behaviour social research with RMIT student interns
From March to June, four RMIT University students worked with the Conservation Regulator on a research project aimed at better understanding community behaviour around campfires. As part of their environmental science degree, the subject
Client-based research required the students to conduct social research on behalf of an external organisation, in this case the Conservation Regulator. The students undertook the following activities as part of their research project:
- Conducted interviews with Forest and Wildlife Officers.
- Attended a site visit to a regional campground.
- Undertook campfire awareness training.
- Conducted a general survey to gauge perceptions about campfire safety and understanding of campfire rules.
The students presented their findings to the Conservation Regulator Executive team in June 2025 and provided insights regarding possible communications and engagement strategies for the Victorian community moving forward.
Events
The Conservation Regulator attend community events across Victoria. This is an important opportunity to have meaningful face to face engagement with our communities, and to share information about the rules which protect our native environments.
Island Whale Festival
5 – 7 July 2024, Phillip Island, Gippsland
Elmore Field Days
1 – 3 October 2024, Elmore, Loddon-Mallee
Wandin Silvan Field Days
17 – 18 October 2024, Wandin, Port Phillip
A Dog’s Breakfast
30 November 2024, Ocean Grove, Barwon Southwest
Hooked on Portland
17 – 18 January 2025, Portland, Barwon Southwest
Geelong Outdoor Living and Caravan Expo
17 – 19 January 2025, Geelong, Barwon Southwest
Wimmera Machinery Field Days
2 – 6 March 2025, Longerenong, Grampians
Red Hill Show
8 March 2025, Red Hill, Port Phillip
Victorian Herpetological Society Reptile and Amphibian Expo
22 March 2025, Caufield, Port Phillip
Open Roads Rally
28 – 30 March 2025, Lima, Hume
Shepparton Bird Expo and Sale
May 2025, Shepparton, Hume
Updated