Charles Sturt University
Restoring Nature, Inspiring Futures: 20+ Years of Biodiversity Leadership
Highly Commended , Nature Positive
About
Charles Sturt University is advancing nature recovery by dedicating over 330 hectares (20%) of its land to biodiversity and actively enhancing its ecological value. Through its Biodiversity Action Plan, the university employs strategies like revegetation and adaptive management, with over 38,000 native seedlings planted since 2010.
Biodiversity is embedded in research, education, planning, and operations, and progress is benchmarked annually with transparent reporting. The university actively collaborates with ten local community groups and engages students and staff in sustainability initiatives, creating positive community impact and contributing to global biodiversity knowledge.
Charles Sturt campuses support habitats for threatened species such as koalas, swift parrots, superb parrots, and squirrel gliders. With its scale and influence, the university is committed to making a meaningful difference in preserving these species.
Top 3 learnings
- Biodiversity and nature programs provide a priceless platform to build support for broader sustainability endeavours.
- Incremental and steady progress will lead to campus-level outcomes before you realise it!
- Leverage planning and policy tools to help progress and protect nature positive planning goals.
What it means to win
"We are honoured to receive this award, which recognises our long-standing commitment to restoring biodiversity, embedding sustainability across all we do and partnering with our communities. Our campuses sit in the heart of regional Australia, where the health of the land, the river systems and the natural environment is foundational. We are supporting the next generation of farmers, ecologists and policymakers who will shape how this country responds to the challenges ahead. Great universities don't just educate, they lead and that's a responsibility we take seriously and one we're proud to be recognised for."
Professor Renée Leon Vice-Chancellor and President
Judges' feedback
The judges were impressed by this well-rounded and developed project, with strong and clear integration within the University planning and operations as well as with the community, showcasing whole-institution commitment and leadership.
| 2026 | |
| Nature Positive | |
| Highly Commended , Australasia | |
| Back to top |
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