Nature includes all living things and how they interact with each other, as well as with non-living objects and processes. When a community of living things interact with the local environment and become reliant upon each other, they are called an ecosystem.
City of Melbourne is home to a world-renowned network of parks, gardens and streetscapes. These green layers contribute to Melbourne’s status as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Whilst much is heard about Melbourne’s liveability, its biological diversity is less-often celebrated. Green spaces, rivers, and wetlands, and the biodiversity within them, play a vital role in maintaining people’s health and wellbeing.
The City of Melbourne is rich in biodiversity, with over 239 species of birds, 12 species of reptiles, 18 species of mammals, 7 species of frogs, over 1500 species of insects, and 31 species of fish recorded in the last 20 years.
In 2017, the City of Melbourne released the Nature in the City Strategy. This is our first strategy to create and maintain healthy ecosystems and thriving biodiversity within the city.