Life on Land
SDG 15

The University has partnered with various organisations to deliver events aimed to promote conservation, restoration and sustainable utilisation of the land.  Some 2024 examples include:

• Newnham Creek bank rehabilitation events (2023-2024) in partnership with Tamar NRM, the UTAS Landcare Society and the Environment Society. Students, staff and local community were invited to undertake rehabilitation work by removing invasive willows and blackberry and replanting hundreds of Tasmanian native trees, shrubs and grasses to boost biodiversity.
• Conservation Science Symposium (2023-ongoing).  the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) host this annual event, with invited talks from the University of Tasmania and other NGOs and government entities. The Symposium is aimed to the broad community. The University and TLC have a structured, critically important and enduring science collaboration, which results in the University’s science stories (both by staff and students) being strongly featured in the event lineup every year. In 2024, this public awareness event covered the work being done in Tasmanian reserves, landscape-scale conservation science, and other aspects of conservation and sustainable management of the land and natural values.
• Bioblitzes (2022-2024) involving an ecological survey of wildlife and experts' talks promoting conservation. A BioBlitz is a community effort, working with scientists and naturalists, to discover and record as many different species as possible within a chosen site for a set period. The improved species lists, including threatened species, supports conservation and sustainable utilisation of the land. In 2024, through the University’s Sustainability Integration Program for Students (SIPS), three students supported the BioBlitz at Mt Nelson Sustainable Learning Centre with primary school students, creating an opportunity for between 100-200 students from low-socioeconomic status to meet university students and staff and engage in a fun citizen science day.
• ‘The Cat Catastrophe: Pet or pest?’ public talk (2024) in collaboration with the Ten Lives Cat Centre. University and local communities heard about the complex role that cats play in our environment as an introduced species in Tasmania. With one in four Tasmanians owning a feline friend, attendees learned about the impact of these beloved animals, particularly on Tasmania's small mammal populations, some of which are already on the brink of extinction, heard about current management plans and considered whether Tasmanians can be responsible cat owners.

The University of Tasmania has developed a University position on sustainable food on campus, including eight sustainable food strategic principles. “Principle 4: Prioritise suppliers with health, nutrition and sustainability initiatives" directly addresses food on campus being sustainably farmed.

Furthermore, the University recognises the need for a planned transition to more healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems for our students and staff across our campuses using a rights-based approach. The Healthy, Sustainable, and Equitable Food Strategic Plan 2023-2028 provides collective actions required to support informed and strategic decisions to achieve this goal and reduce food insecurity among students and staff. The Plan covers nine priority areas, including “Priority 5: Sustainable food procurement, commercial and social enterprises”.

This Priority builds on the University’s Procurement Policy that guides evaluation and purchasing to incorporate holistic sustainability outcomes, and the associated Sustainable Procurement Guide with further guidance on decision making for sound sustainable purchasing. The Guide is publicly available and specifically includes guidelines for food service providers, including that food from on-campus providers should not compromise the environmental, health, economic and social wellbeing of present and future generations and should consider sustainably and ethically produced supply chains (e.g., UTZ certified).

Go to our Food and Gardens webpage to find more information on this and other sustainable food initiatives.

Aligning with our holistic approach to sustainability, the University of Tasmania has a multi-faceted response to the unfolding planetary biodiversity crisis by acting locally to globally, and from individual species to ecosystems. We manage our own grounds using Integrated Pest Management and focus on protecting, regenerating and enhancing native species and communities on our campuses. We have led the efforts to safeguard the future of iconic and ecosystem integral species. Our efforts build on a long history of ecosystem research, applied learning and community education.

The University acknowledges that environmental protection and sustainability are key priorities in the way the University operates and aims for net positive environmental outcomes, with one of the main objectives being to maintain and improve ecosystems and biodiversity in an ecologically appropriate manner, both on campus and in shared land, in consultation with the university and local community groups.

This has been addressed through various ongoing programs on-campus, including the Newnham Creek multi-year project and targeted protection of tree hollows (Newnham campus), significant expansion and protection of Little Penguin nesting habitat and the installation of the largest green roof in Tasmania using plant seeds collected and grown locally (Burnie campus), and the ongoing biodiversity-focused management of the Sandy Bay University Reserve (~ 80 ha), home to several endangered and threatened species (Sandy Bay campus).

Furthermore, in 2024 UTAS signed a MOU with the Wedgetail Foundation, an organisation leading regeneration of a Tasmanian Midlands property (The Quoin), home to old-growth forests, critically endangered grassland communities, a significant rocky outcrop and iconic threatened species (e.g., wedge-tailed eagle, Tasmanian devil, and Eastern spotted quoll). The 4,985-hectare property is in one of Australia’s 20 Priority Places for biodiversity conservation. Formerly used for agricultural grazing, the property now serves as a living laboratory dedicated to developing and deploying technologies, products and practices to accelerate regeneration at scale.

The University’s Sustainable Living courses are open to the community, local and national, and offer flexible delivery (they are delivered fully online) so community members can follow their passion for sustainable living in their own community, wherever they are. These courses include various units that address ecosystems. For example, ‘Backyard Biodiversity’ teaches about local wildlife and the importance of biodiversity to human and ecosystem health and how biodiversity supports sustainable living. ‘Science of Gardening’ unpacks the science behind plant growth and sustainable gardening and how to apply scientific principles to nurture a thriving, eco-friendly garden that enhances local biodiversity. ‘Sustainable Design for Houses and Landscapes’ builds on practical knowledge of sustainable design for houses, expanding thinking to houses within landscapes - both natural and constructed - and interacting with climate, biodiversity, human health and urban and regional food systems. Australian citizens are eligible to receive a 100% fee scholarship, which is automatically applied on enrolment; hence the course is free for local and national communities (students commencing in 2024 to 2026; to be confirmed for future academic years).

In addition, the university offers a double degree (4 years) undergraduate in Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation and Master of Protected Area Conservation. This double degree is designed to train the next generation of environmental leaders with the needed technical and planning skills to deliver a sustainable life on land for both nature and people.

The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) is a specialised institute at the University of Tasmania with a mandate to progress the agricultural industry of Tasmania and a vision to enable Tasmanian food producers and processors to accelerate primary sector productivity while maintaining and improving Tasmania’s land and water quality for future generations. TIA offers educational opportunities for local and regional communities on sustainable management of land for agriculture. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, TIA aims to drive positive change in Tasmania’s agricultural sector, ensuring that the state remains a leader in high-quality, productive, and environmentally responsible agriculture and food production. A TIA flagship educational program is the annual Field Days (a free annual event) in their dairy and vegetable farms, which in 2024 focused on the theme ‘agriculture in a changing climate’ and covered various topics in relation to the sustainable management of land showcasing commercially adaptable alternative strategies that reduce inputs and emissions, and supports adoption of sustainable zero emission farming.

TIA is also a partner of agriCULTURED, an organisation that aims to cultivate opportunities and shape the future of Australia’s agri-food sector and regenerative tourism. The annual agriCULTURED multi-day event, which offers a mix of free community events and ticketed workshops and experiences, includes sessions for the community on sustainable management of land for agriculture and agritourism. For example, in the 2024 program, ‘The Science Behind Your Plate’ event hosted a four-course dinner that linked agricultural science themes with specially prepared dishes. Each agricultural themed dish was accompanied by a talk from experts covering topics related to sustainable management of land for agriculture such as the vital role soil plays in the production of healthy produce, support for farmers to diversify and build climate resilience and how pollination plays a vital role in the production of fruit and seed crops.

The University’s Antarctic Tourism research group takes a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding tourism in the Antarctic region and aims to make Antarctic tourism an enriching and environmentally sustainable experience. The group regularly offers educational opportunities for local and regional communities on sustainable management of land for tourism in Antarctica.

In 2024, the Creative Antarctica research group organised the ‘Growlers, Bergy Bits and Behemoths’ program, a series of four talks and an immersive art installation that brought together creatives, researchers and policy makers to discuss the cultural and social influence of Antarctica. The program’s talks included the topic of land management for an ethical and sustainable tourism in the South, promoting and ensuring low impact tourism in Antarctic pristine wilderness. The events were free and open to the public.

Previous educational outreach programs include the ‘Tourism and Risk in the Antarctic Region’ workshop (2023), which addressed some key themes in relation to sustainable use of land for tourism: risk posed to/by Antarctic tourism and scientific expeditions, risk mitigation strategies, and comparative research between tourism to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Furthermore, in 2024 the University offered ‘Tourism, Environmental and Cultural Heritage’ courses (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma), which equipped students with a deep understanding of managing tourism in sites of cultural and environmental value (hence involving sustainable use of land to ensure conservation). Students also connect with industry partners and learn through authentic hands-on experiences.

The University of Tasmania has joined a global network of 500+ universities on a Nature Positive journey, committing to enhancing the university’s positive impacts on nature (both land and aquatic ecosystems) and restoring species and ecosystems that have been harmed by the impacts of a university and its activities.

The University is a leader in environmental education and research, and this work has contributed to greater awareness of the importance of sound environmental management in the broader community. Consistent with this, the University has a focus on best practice management of the impact that University operations have on the environment. This is reflected in various governance documents. For example, our Strategic Framework for Sustainability includes our commitment to "manage the University’s natural environment effectively for biodiversity with emphasis on protecting rare and threatened native species and minimising environmental harm." At a more applied level, the University's Integrated Pest Management Plan focuses on prevention and monitoring pests, and prioritises cultural, biological and physical control methods over the use of chemicals.

The University is committed to and has policies for effective management for biodiversity and ecosystems, with emphasis on protecting endangered, threatened, vulnerable and rare species, minimising environmental harm, and supporting regeneration and restoration initiatives. We have joined a global network on a Nature Positive journey, committing to restoring species and ecosystems that have been harmed by the impacts of our university. To be 'Nature Positive' there must be a measured biodiversity baseline and clear actions to monitor and protect these species. We have already completed a baseline species assessment of all our campuses that identifies those that are of concern, threatened or endangered following regional, national and international lists, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. The list is publicly available and updated regularly, with the latest update being conducted in 2024. We also have assessed natural values and threats. These assessments form the basis of a University Biodiversity Action Plan, soon to be released.

Some examples of species in our land and surrounding areas that have been identified as IUCN threatened species are: Swift Parrot, Tasmanian Devil, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Eastern Quoll, South Esk Pine, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Barred Bandicoot and Eastern Barred Bandicoot. The full list of threatened species is available from the University’s Sustainability Portal.

Go to our Natural Environment webpage to find more information on this and other Life on Land initiatives.

The University's policies cover general sustainable building development and protection for local biodiversity, including rare, threatened and endangered.

The University’s Strategic Framework for Sustainability clearly notes protecting and enhancing biodiversity on University properties as one of our commitments, and mandates the development and implementation of detailed strategies and multi-year implementation plans with clear for operational sustainability focus areas that will guide and inform resource allocations to manage the University’s natural environment effectively for biodiversity with emphasis on protecting rare and threatened native species and minimising environmental harm. This includes planning for the development of new and redeveloped buildings. For example, the new Forestry Building redevelopment in Hobart – now renamed The Forest – integrates a living forest beneath the heritage dome, with 3500 native plants, and has a high emphasis on sustainability and innovation including a mass timber building framework and the use of low-carbon, recycled and repurposed materials.

In addition, the University’s Contractors and Building Users Sustainability Guide (last reviewed in 2022) highlights the importance of maintaining and enhancing "the natural environment on UTAS properties to encourage biodiversity and minimise impact on ecosystems." Section 8 covers biodiversity and the natural environment and includes actions such as “protect environmentally sensitive areas” and “revegetate areas damaged through construction or other University-related activities”.

The University's policies focus on protection for native biodiversity, which inherently includes managing invasive species.

We have joined a global network on a Nature Positive journey, committing to restoring species and ecosystems that have been harmed by the impacts of our university. To be 'Nature Positive' there must be a measured biodiversity baseline and clear actions to monitor and protect these species. The biodiversity baseline and action planning stages provide opportunities to identify and assess the presence and impact of alien species, develop strategies for their control or removal, and promote native species restoration.

The University has an Integrated Pest Management Plan (last reviewed in 2022), which focuses on prevention and monitoring pests with the aim to reduce their impact on University’s and surrounding land. The Plan emphasises early detection and eradication of new weed species before they become widespread, and prioritises maintaining ecosystems in good condition and avoiding the introduction of high-risk plant species in landscaping projects. It includes education and hygiene protocols to prevent accidental introductions. Weed control is prioritized based on ecological value and urgency, and control efforts are expanded from areas in good condition to create larger intact habitats. The Plan combines the use of biological, cultural, and chemical practices (pesticides being the last resource) to control weeds and other pests in an environmentally sensitive way.

The University of Tasmania aims to maintain and improve ecosystems and biodiversity in an ecologically appropriate manner, both on campus and on share lands, in consultation with the university and local community groups". Some examples of collaboration in 2024 include:

• Species Hotels (2016-ongoing), an award-winning program that involves architecture students and lecturers working in collaboration with schools, NGOs such as Greening Australia, scientists, landowners, artists, designers and engineers. Every year, students design accommodation for a range of native animals, including threatened species (e.g., Tasmanian devils, quolls, micro bats and pardalotes), with ‘hotels’ then installed in shared land, hence contributing to maintaining ecosystems.
• Through the UTAS Landcare Society (2019-ongoing), the University works with Landcare Tasmania, and Landcare groups across the state. The Society organises several events annually, with a focus on community environmental restoration projects, ranging from removing weeds from urban parks to restoring pine plantations back to native forests and restoring degraded wetlands.
• Furthermore, in 2024 UTAS signed a MOU with the Wedgetail Foundation, an organisation leading regeneration of a Tasmanian Midlands property (The Quoin), home to old-growth forests, critically endangered grassland communities, a significant rocky outcrop and iconic threatened species (e.g., wedge-tailed eagle, Tasmanian devil, and Eastern spotted quoll). The 4,985-hectare property is in one of Australia’s 20 Priority Places for biodiversity conservation. Formerly used for agricultural grazing, the property now serves as a living laboratory dedicated to developing and deploying technologies, products and practices to accelerate regeneration at scale.

The University's Strategic Framework for Sustainability commits to water conservation and highlights the intention to "maintain a perfect record of no stormwater pollution control incidents" to protect our land and aquatic ecosystems.

In addition, our University’s Contractors and Building Users Sustainability Guide also has guidelines for water discharge and indicates that the University is subject to stormwater and trade waste regulatory requirements, to ensure no pollutants are discharged into the stormwater and local waterways.

Wastewater treatment is conducted before discharge to reduce land, freshwater and marine water pollution. Treatment is conducted either on-site at specialised University facilities (e.g., integrated wastewater treatment at the Experimental Aquaculture Facility; reed beds at various experimental farms) or by TasWater (the single state-wide utility in Tasmania).

The University's Strategic Framework for Sustainability commits to “apply a circular economy model to waste management, including reducing waste generated by the University community [including plastic waste] through reduced generation (avoidance), increased re-use and recycling and minimised disposal to landfill advancing to eliminating landfill disposal.”

In addition, our University’s Contractors and Building Users Sustainability Guide also has guidelines to minimise the amount of materials going to landfill through careful selection of items when purchasing, repairing and reusing as much as possible, and recycling appropriately. This includes plastics that can be recycled though local services, but also soft plastics.

Furthermore, the University's Waste Minimisation Action Plan 2021-2025 lists several actions that aim to minimise plastic use, which will result in reduction of plastic waste. Some key actions include: implement preferred procurement guidelines in catering contracts that eliminate single-use plastics and non-compostable items; influence key suppliers to reduce or avoid the excessive use of packaging including materials such as plastic and foam; and implement a single-use petroleum-based plastic ban.

The University's Chemical Management Key Principles contain details regarding chemical risk, manifest quantities and the University control of hazardous chemicals including correct disposal and transfer of hazardous materials. Key principles in relation to hazardous ‘Chemical Waste Management and Disposal’ include the obligation to have a plan for disposal of waste prior to procuring hazardous chemicals, clear and accurate labelling of waste containers and appropriately segregating and not mixing incompatible chemical waste. Information on prevention and control of chemical spills is also provided.

Furthermore, the University’s Safety and Wellbeing Procedure provides guidelines for our community members to appropriately dispose of hazardous chemicals, which includes a requirement to be inducted and trained to undertake work with hazardous chemicals. The procedure also requires the appointment of a Hazardous Chemicals Coordinator (HCC) for areas with hazardous chemicals, who must exercise due diligence by taking reasonable steps to ensure that chemicals are correctly transported and disposed of.