Welcome to this week's issue!

EIANZ is pleased to announce the winners of the Student and Early Careers Travel Grants for the upcoming 2025 Annual Conference!

This year’s winners are:
Jasmin Bentink, WA
Rebekah Green, QLD
Glenn Hokin, NSW
Quek Jun Jie, SA
Sabrina Sirimongkhon-d'Harcourt, VIC
Leanne Yan, WA

The Annual Conference is a fantastic opportunity to make valuable connections with fellow practitioners at all stages of their career and from a range of technical disciplines. The theme for this year's conference is Environmental Excellence Through Collaboration. This is an exciting opportunity to:

• Gain practical insights from successful collaborative projects across diverse environmental contexts
• Discover breakthrough methodologies for project management and teamwork that enhance outcomes
• Learn effective approaches to truth-telling, stakeholder consultation, and community engagement
• Network with industry leaders tackling water management, cumulative impacts, and strategic planning challenges
• Access valuable lessons from both successful collaborations and initiatives that fell short

We look forward to seeing our winners at the conference!
Register for the 2025 Annual Conference →

This week, the Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW) has shared ways Australians can strengthen wildlife resilience amidst the global spread of H5 avian influenza (bird flu). Bird flu poses a serious threat to Australia's native birds and mammals, potentially putting extra pressure on ecosystems and culturally significant species. While the department says we can't prevent the virus from arriving, Australians can take steps now to strengthen wildlife health and resilience.

Key actions include:

• Participating in citizen science bird surveys
• Planting local native species
• Volunteering for habitat restoration
• Giving wildlife space to reduce stress
• Following "avoid, record, report" protocols when encountering sick or dead animals.

These preparations will not only help native species cope with potential H5 bird flu outbreaks but also deliver lasting conservation benefits for Australian ecosystems.
Learn more →

Following last week's announcement that the Australian Government has set a 2035 emissions reduction target of 62-70% below 2005 levels, experts across key sectors have voiced mixed reactions to the government's plan.

Agricultural environmental scientist Dr Anika Molesworth has criticised the target as inadequate, calling it "a slap in the face" to farmers who are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate change firsthand, while resources experts have highlighted concerns about measuring fugitive emissions effectively and the sector's over-reliance on unproven carbon capture technology.

Transport and energy experts state that whilst technological solutions are available, Australia lacks the comprehensive policies needed to achieve meaningful emissions reductions across these crucial sectors.
Learn more →
Read the Climate Change Authority's report →

Australia's Environment Minister Murray Watt has conceded that successive governments acted unlawfully by failing to create mandatory recovery plans for threatened native species, following successful court action by the Wilderness Society. In a court settlement reached on Friday, the Government agreed that recovery plans for four species including the greater glider and ghost bat had not been made within required timeframes, whilst seven other species' plans that were set to expire will remain in force.

The legal victory addresses a significant backlog of unfinished recovery plans, with only 2% completed within statutory timeframes since 2013 according to a 2022 auditor general's report. The Wilderness Society described the outcome as setting an important precedent that recovery plans are not optional and said it forces the government to prioritise protecting Australia's threatened wildlife.
Learn more →

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi are inviting registrations for their Ecological Suppliers Directory. The directory serves as a register of existing and potential ecological suppliers to NZTA. NZTA are collecting self-reported information from professional services firms, sole traders, and any other organisation carrying out ecological work in Aotearoa New Zealand, covering the following:

• Organisation name and location
• Contact name and email address
• Specialist expertise in listed ecological topics
• Types of services provided
• Relevant permits and licenses held by staff
• Past experience on NZTA projects

NZTA uses this information to contact suppliers about updates to relevant standards, specifications, and guidance. This directory does not replace formal procurement processes; infrastructure contracts are advertised on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS).

Any queries may be directed to environment@nzta.govt.nz.
Complete the registration form here →

There's just under one week to go until EIANZ's Board nominations close!

EIANZ conducts Board elections every two years and is currently inviting nominations for all seven positions: President, Vice-President (Australia), Vice-President (New Zealand), Treasurer, Secretary and two Ordinary Board Member positions. 

We will be appointing experienced, driven, passionate collaborators to serve for a two-year term commencing 26 November 2025. We strongly encourage you to read the EIANZ Board duties and expectations before submitting your application to fully understand what is involved. If you believe you have the required skills, experience, attributes and time to serve on the EIANZ Board we encourage you to nominate for a position. Nominations close Wednesday, 1 October 2025.
Download the nomination form →

A Senate inquiry into South Australia's harmful algal bloom has heard that the 2022-23 Murray River floods may not have been to blame for the event. University of Adelaide scientists have told the inquiry that despite massive nutrient loads entering the river during flooding, the significant time lag between the flood and bloom onset suggests the nutrients weren't available when the algae formed.

This evidence contradicts the SA government's position that the flood was one of three key factors causing the bloom, alongside marine heatwaves and cold-water upwelling events. Scientists appearing before the committee called for increased funding and better long-term monitoring of coastal environments to better understand and prepare for future algal blooms driven by climate change.
Learn more →

The Australian Government has reached a milestone by approving its 100th renewable energy project since the May 2022 election, with these projects collectively said to be capable of powering every home in Australia. The century of approvals includes 43 solar farms, 22 onshore wind farms, 13 energy storage systems, 13 infrastructure and exploration projects (including for offshore wind), and 9 transmission projects spread across the nation.

The milestone was reached with approval of the Nowingi Solar Power Station near Mildura in Victoria, which will feature Australia's largest eight-hour storage battery powered by a new 300MW solar farm. Environment Minister Murray Watt said the achievement demonstrates Australia's transition to becoming a renewable energy superpower, with nearly 90% of approval decisions delivered on time and more projects in the pipeline.
Learn more →

This week the government announced more than $3 million funding through the First Nations Heritage Grants Program to better identify and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage values at existing World and National Heritage listed places.

Seventeen new projects across WA, NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia have received funding of up to $250,000 each, with Traditional Owners leading the work to document and preserve cultural heritage. Key projects include the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation documenting Sea Country heritage in the West Kimberley, and work at Mount Hay in the Greater Blue Mountains and the Riversleigh World Heritage area.

The funding forms part of the government's commitment to add Indigenous cultural heritage values to heritage-listed places, recognising that First Nations values have historically been under-represented at these iconic sites.
Learn more →

And finally, Central Office will be closed Friday, 26 September 2025, in observance of the AFL Grand Final Public Holiday in Victoria.

Of interest​​​​​

Australia

7 things we can do today to meet Australia’s new climate goal
Learn more →

'A mythical place': How a Melbourne sewage farm became a haven for 300 species of birds
Learn more →

Healing land and spirit through Noongar knowledge and regenerative land management
Learn more →

With 2035 emissions targets set, what Australia does next will help shape global efforts to keep 1.5°C alive
Learn more →

Tasmania's tree fern trade accused of 'greenwashing' over native forest logging links, but others say it is sustainable
Learn more →

‘Female fairywrens sing to their eggs’ and eight other things you may not know about birdsong
Learn more →

New Zealand

DoC investigates bird scarer used during mine protest
Learn more →

Close relatives of emperor penguins lived in NZ some 3 million years ago. What caused their extinction?
Learn more →

No change: Almost one in four Canterbury swim spots unsafe, report shows
Learn more →

Stoat intruder caught on predator-free Oruawairua/Blumine Island
Learn more →

‘The matua versus the maunga’
Learn more →

More than 300 birds translocated in record year for Save the Kiwi
Learn more →

Global

Nations deliver new climate targets ahead of climate summit
Learn more →

Trump DOJ seeks to kill Vermont law that makes Big Oil pay for climate harm
Learn more →

‘It’s resurrection’: 1,000-year-old seeds could grow ancient plants in England’s ice-age ghost ponds
Learn more →

If you'd like to respond to any of the news, contact us at office@eianz.org to find out how we can assist.

Professional development

Upcoming EIANZ events

View all upcoming EIANZ events →

Upcoming partner events

Open for submission

If you'd like to contribute to an EIANZ submission, contact us at office@eianz.org to find out how.  

New

Net Zero Fund: proposed design | The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) | Closes 15 October 2025
Learn more →

Proposed change to the coastal plan for the Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands | Department of Conservation | Closes 22 October 2025
Learn more →

Application for a marine mammal permit by David Thomas | Department of Conservation | Closes 23 October 2025
Learn more →

Expressions of interest (EOI) to provide report writing and consultant services under the ATSIHPA | The Deparment of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW) | Closes 27 October 2025
Learn more →

Still open

Visit our website to see all open submissions →

Jobs board

Explore the newest opportunities advertised on our Jobs Board

View all jobs →

In case you missed it - headlines from last week's issue

Institute Insider #436

EIANZ announces silent auction for a bespoke piece of Indigenous art ahead of the 2025 Annual Conference

Australian Government announces 62-70% emissions reduction target by 2035

Australia releases first National Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan

Pacific nations consider next steps following International Court of Justice climate ruling

Heatwaves identified as Australia's deadliest climate hazard in new research

Conservation Foundation maps fast-track renewable energy zones to protect biodiversity

Northern Territory environmental regulator faces calls to resign over integrity concerns

Australian Government reduces offshore wind fees and regulatory requirements to encourage investment

Scientists develop genetically engineered wildlife for Australian conservation efforts

Aotearoa New Zealand launches solar demonstration program for farmers

2025 Australian bird of the year nominations now open

Read Institute Insider issue #436 here →

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