Since our inception, Griffith has embraced and protected its natural environment
Griffith University has a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and is responsible for the conservation management of almost 180 hectares of forest.
Our campuses are home to some of Australia’s most unique native plant and animal species. We play a key role in maintaining, extending and protecting existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, including both plants and animals, especially ecosystems under threat in our local region of South East Queensland.
Griffith is dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity in areas influenced by our operations, guided by our Environmental Sustainability Policy.
There are around 200 hectares of forest on our Gold Coast campus and at Nathan and Mount Gravatt campuses, we’re custodians of 175 hectares of Toohey Forest.
We ensure informed decisions and actions that align with the latest conservation knowledge by actively monitoring and assessing biodiversity through surveys and assessments.
Our approach follows the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Biodiversity Offsets Policy, focusing on restoration, regeneration, and sustainability.
Griffith's Sustainability Strategy provides an overview of our future initiatives that will contribute to a future that benefits all.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and committed to tackling global challenges around climate action, life below water, and life on land.
Biodiversity Conservation Plan 2022-2025
This Plan sets out the key principles to ensure our biodiversity is protected and regenerated even as the University grows.
Griffith biodiversity
Biodiversity
Griffith University campuses sit on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ unique and complex relationship with and understanding and ongoing stewardship of these lands as Traditional Owners.
Our Biodiversity Plan recognises and values the role of First People's knowledge for the conservation of biodiveristy. Through collaboration with staff, students and community members we are committed to deep, ongoing and increasing engagement with First Peoples' cultures and diverse knowledge systems to inform our stewardship responsibilities.
Water on campus
Griffith adopts a water-sensitive urban design approach to campus operations. This ensures we reduce our consumption through efficient water use, which has a range of health, environmental, social, and economic benefits. Water sensitive design provides cooler campuses, reduces flood risk, improves air quality, allows staff and students to connect with nature, and prevents polluted water entering the water system, including pollution caused by accidents and incidents at the University.
Research
Griffith leads key environmental and conservation research centres and partners in research and practice to advance bushfire recovery take climate action, promote planetary health, and maintain, extend and protect the biodiversity of rivers & oceans, locally, nationally, regionally and internationally.
Koalas find a home at Toohey Forest
Toohey Forest, located adjacent to Griffith University's Nathan and Mount Gravatt campuses, is an ecological island in suburbia. It's home to a variety of native wildlife, including owls, bearded dragons and a small population of koalas.
Nathan and Mount Gravatt
Griffith University’s Nathan and Mount Gravatt campuses are adjacent to Toohey Forest and are home to species of rare flora and fauna.
Gold Coast
On the Gold Coast campus, there are more than 250 native plants growing in the remnant Blackbutt Forest and landscaped gardens. The campus showcases how local natives can be used in a range of garden styles.
Gold Coast
On the Gold Coast campus, there are more than 250 native plants growing in the remnant Blackbutt Forest and landscaped gardens. The campus showcases how local natives can be used in a range of garden styles.
Logan
A Logan City Council partnership included a major restoration of Slacks Creek, which runs through our Logan campus. A key project was establishing an arboretum on the campus, which features more than 7,000 native trees.
Grows at Griffith
Rare and Threatened Species
We are taking action to protect the Rare and Threatened Species on our campuses.
We monitor and evaluate biodiversity through triennial bio-condition surveys. We ensure that decisions and actions for environmental development, maintenance and management are informed by best-practice biodiversity and conservation knowledge.
We also ensure the protection of the native forests and related ecosystems under the University's stewardship, acting to maintain and enhance the biodiversity values and critical ecological functions and ecosystem services of the forests and related ecosystems on our campuses.
The Gold Coast campus includes some of South-East Queensland’s rarest and most endangered native plants. From bottle trees to giant orchids, click the link to learn more about each of the plants.
Ormeau Bottle Tree Native Spurflowers Small-leaved Tamarind Southern Swamp Orchids Rough-shelled Queensland Nut Cooneana Olive
Grows at Griffith app
The Grows at Griffith project focuses on species endemic to the local region and is applied to landscaping decisions on all five campuses.
The app provides an interactive and easy-to-use database of 300 plants found on our campuses.
DNA profiling koala populations through citizen scientists
Since January 2022, we have been turning to the public for help with monitoring the movements and family relationships of koalas. This helps us to plan, assess and understand our beloved native animal.
The project will see citizen scientists spending time in nature spotting, photographing, and recording the koalas, and collecting koala scat for DNA profiling. And it will help us to directly protect koalas in South-East Queensland.
Please help our koala conservation.
Contact Griffith Sustainability
Griffith Sustainability Room 0.08, Building N23, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan QLD, 4111