Commissioner for Sustainability & Environment, ACT

Dr Ash Bunce has commenced as the new Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment and has been appointed for a five-year term. Dr Bunce is an experienced regulator and academic with experience delivering environmental outcomes at both national and international levels.

We’ve just released our Investigation report into the environmental effects of urban expansion in the ACT, ‘Close to the Edge’. Find out more here: envcomm.act.gov.au/latest-from-us…

Our latest Storymap explores the rise of artificial turf in Canberra, the impacts of fake grass on urban heat and the environment, and alternatives for your lawn that are better for both people and the planet. Read it here: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b76443…

Young people told us that to protect nature in Canberra they would set aside more land in reserves, restrict development in sensitive areas and prioritise more greenspace in urban planning. Read the full story: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/afcd64…

Young people care about reducing waste – it was the 2nd most common topic in the postcards they sent us. They want to penalise littering more, phase out single-use plastics faster and regulate packaging better. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c3c7c8…

46% of the postcards students sent us last year were about conservation. Young people want to see more trees protected and more funding put into conservation programs. Explore the full story here: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b29785…

We invited high school students across Canberra to tell us what needs to be done to protect nature in the ACT. 435 students wrote back to us sharing their ideas. Read what they had to say here: envcomm.act.gov.au/A-Youth-Perspe…

Young people in the ACT are stepping up for our environment. From climate advocates to leading citizen science moderators, they’re wasting no time getting out there and making a difference. 💪 Read about this inspiring work here: environmentforyouth.com.au/stories/

Looking for inspiration from other schools? Check out the amazing projects happening at colleges like Radford, Canberra, Hawker, Merici and more to kickstart your sustainability journey! 🏫 Explore stories here: environmentforyouth.com.au/stories/

Kids love to play - and so do we! The Environment for Kids website has lots of fun online games and activities to explore. 🧩 Check out the Activities tab on the Environment for Kids website: environmentforkids.com.au

Our downloadable teacher resource worksheets can help bring local environmental and sustainability issues into your classroom. 👩‍🏫 Check out the Activities tab on the Environment for Youth website to explore! environmentforyouth.com.au

Looking for some hands-on learning? Our Environment for Kids and Youth websites contain easy-to-follow experiments for students! 🔬 Explore the websites here: environmentforkids.com.au environmentforyouth.com.au

What's new with the Environment for Youth website? 🏘️ New chapters on urban growth and circular economy 🔥 Updated content on bushfires, biodiversity, climate and much more 📝New worksheets, challenges and stories Check it out here: environmentforyouth.com.au

What’s new with the Environment for Kids website? ♻ New chapter on waste! ⚡ Updated content on climate change, trees, wildlife and waterways! 🔬 New games, quizzes, and experiments! Check it out here: environmentforkids.com.au

Calling all young people, parents and educators in the ACT! We’ve just launched new Environment for Kids and Environment for Youth Websites! 🐸 Check them out here: environmentforkids.com.au environmentforyouth.com.au

Check out the Sustainable Steps Poster Competition being run by the ACT Government Sustainable Schools Program! A competition for ACT school students from preschool to year 8. Make a poster with your top sustainability tip! climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-program…

National Science Week is coming up! The 2024 school theme is Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability. Connect with this theme on a more local level by checking out the Biodiversity chapter of the 2023 State of the Environment Report!

Canberrans care about our environment! While there is still a lot to do, there is also a lot being done – find out more through the 2023 ACT State of the Environment Report actsoe2023.com.au/issues/communi…

We’d like to thank and acknowledge all the people who contributed to the 2023 ACT State of the Environment Report, including a wide range of specialists and subject matter experts who weighed in on key topics.