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National Environmental Science Program
November 2025 update
The National Environmental Science Program (NESP) hubs deliver lasting benefits. These benefits extend beyond the environment to Australia's economy, culture and wellbeing.
NESP science is making a tangible difference. It's improving flood safety, finding new recycling solutions for tyres and conveyor belts, and protecting threatened species.
These recently published stories showcase the real-world impact of each hub. Explore them to learn more about the:
- Resilient Landscapes Hub
- Climate Systems Hub
- Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub
- Marine and Coastal Hub.
Keep the journey going - read the full newsletter to explore each hub's latest research highlights.
Hub highlights
Resilient Landscapes Hub
Building a National Indigenous Environmental Research Network (NIERN)
More than 300 people contributed to the development of a model for a National Indigenous Environmental Research Network (NIERN). This Indigenous-led network would guide environmental research in Australia based on community priorities. It aims to connect Indigenous communities with researchers and support right-way science.
The project-to investigate a model to promote the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in biodiversity conservation-is supported by the Resilient Landscapes Hub and the Marine and Coastal Hub. It is led by Professor Stephen van Leeuwen and Dr. Teagan Shields (Curtin University), and Dr. Leah Talbot (North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance).
Dr. Shields says NIERN 'flips the model' by starting with the community's research need. This ensures both the land (Country) and people (Kin) benefit.
Indigenous Australians manage or have rights to almost 60 per cent of Australia's land and sea. But environmental research has often excluded their voices in the design process. The model for a NIERN changes that by putting Indigenous people in charge from the start.
Workshops and studies identified 4 key focus areas:
- land and sea management
- climate change and adaptation
- culturally significant places
- biocultural regional planning.
The goal of the NIERN is to include Indigenous knowledge in all environmental research. It aims to create research that is meaningful, lasting and done the right way.
Download the summary report, business case and governance advice.
Marine and Coastal Hub
Finding hope for the black rockcod
Despite 40 years of protection, black rockcod are still declining across their range. They were once widespread at rocky reefs along the New South Wales (NSW) coast. These days it is a rare treat for divers to see one. Their numbers plunged in the 1950s to 1970s due to line and spearfishing.
The species was listed as vulnerable in NSW waters in 1983 and in Commonwealth waters in 2012. Long-term monitoring is a high priority of the NSW black rockcod recovery plan.
In 2023, a Marine and Coastal Hub project conducted the first broadscale survey of black rockcod since 2011. NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development researchers led the survey.
They found little evidence of recovery, but some good signs. The average length of black rockcod had increased. With more fish approaching maturity, this may lead to more breeding. 'No-take' marine park zones support more black rockcod. The black rockcod is slow-growing and late to mature. This, and its restricted habitat, make it highly vulnerable to fishing. Fish caught accidently must be immediately released but are unlikely to survive. They suffer decompression caused by rapidly rising on a fishing line.
Even without fishing pressure, the black rockcod is unlikely to recover in the next decade.
Climate Systems Hub
Working together for climate action
A newly published journal paper shares key lessons from the 2021 National First Peoples Gathering on Climate Change (the Gathering).
Led by National First Peoples Platform on Climate Change, the Gathering gave Indigenous and non-Indigenous people a safe space to share ideas, build trust and work together on climate solutions.
The paper tells us that the best climate solutions come when Indigenous knowledge and western science work side by side.
Indigenous knowledge comes from thousands of years of living closely with the land. It includes practices like:
- yarning with Country (listening and learning from the land)
- cultural burning (using fire to care for the land)
- reading seasonal indicators (watching nature to know when to plant, harvest or move).
The Gathering highlighted the need for:
- respecting Indigenous leadership
- using ethical ways to work together
- seeing Country as a living part of the conversation.
There are still challenges, like complex terminology and unequal power. But the Gathering showed how powerful two-way learning can be.
The message is clear: climate justice must centre First Nations leadership. Continued support for Indigenous-led climate work is vital.
As the 2021 First Nations climate statement says:
'Listen to us, work with us and together we can create a better future for all Australians.'
This paper is part of the project Indigenous-led literature and products to inform national and international processes on climate action.
Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub
Bringing together policy, practice and research to achieve a nature-connected future
The Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub's (SCaW) Nature Connection team held a 2-day workshop in Tasmania. The goal was to explore how Australians can better connect with nature. The event brought together people from research, government and community groups.
The main topics discussed were:
- how spending time in nature supports health and conservation
- the barriers that stop people from connecting with nature
- the opportunities to build more nature-connected communities
- the role of Indigenous knowledge in caring for Country
- how research and policy can work together to make change.
Dr Emily Flies and Dr Kate Sollis shared results from the project's national survey and storytelling research. Participants also shared simple ways to connect with nature, such as:
- outdoor learning
- local greening projects
- community programs.
Ideas from the workshop will guide future project work. A report is being co-designed with workshop participants. The project will create tools to help policymakers and communities. These outputs support Goal 1 of Australia's Strategy for Nature: to connect all Australians with nature.
The workshop forms part of the hub's Impact Priority 1 (IP1). The project is exploring ways to strengthen sustainable people-environment interactions.
