Welcome to the September 2026 issue of our quarterly magazine, ParkWatch.
With a new Victorian premier and environment minister, and the state election just weeks away, we hope there is a fresh approach. In this edition we review the ‘blasting, casting and backsliding’ that has been happening in nature protection this year, and look at how Victorians can stick up for nature.
We also look at how Victoria could reach its 30×30 protection target, with 30 key policy ideas. Plus, we cover wins for the Western Port Woodlands, wandering in a grassy wonderland, and fascinating research into threatened orchids — including our cover star, the Endangered Candy Spider Orchid.
We also cover the worrying spread of bird flu, how a COVID-era emergency provision is being used to sidestep scrutiny on nature projects, and dig deeper into the Four Corners exposé of loophole logging on both sides of Bass Strait.
Cover image: Endangered Candy Spider Orchid (Caladenia versicolor), near Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali Country (Credit: Meghan Lindsay)
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