Fire has played a critical role in the evolution of the Australian landscape. Natural processes such as lightning strikes, together with the traditional burning practices of Indigenous Australians have molded and changed our landscape over millions of years.

Understanding how fire interacts with plants, animals, fungi, and soil provides essential insight into the management of our landscapes. 

Many Australian plant, animal, and fungi species have evolved strategies over time to survive, replenish, and take advantage of their fire-prone environment. However, fire is also a disrupter, and high-intensity fires like wildfire can be especially destructive when unplanned, or in poor conditions, for example, drought.

Understanding how fire interacts with plants, animals, fungi, and soil – the study of fire ecology – provides essential insights for the management of forests, water catchments, soils, biodiversity, agriculture, and the health of the landscape more broadly. This understanding is key for effective land management and biodiversity conservation in our fire-prone landscape.

Some 20 years into the successful initiative, the South East Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium has transitioned to a new name, reflective of the increasing demand for services by stakeholders and communities in broader Queensland and the state-wide interests of some of its partners. The rebranding to the Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium was announced earlier this year (2020). There are many successful fire management programs and networks already in train across Queensland. While the core focus remains firmly on South East Queensland, the Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium welcomes opportunities to collaborate with new partners and work with existing networks seeking to progress collaborative projects.

The Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium has been able to amplify the impact of its work through the number and diversity of partners. It currently partners with 18 organisations, including 13 local governments, state agencies, emergency services, and utility providers. A key strength of the Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium is its strong network of land managers and stakeholders, all committed to improving fire and biodiversity management outcomes, supporting and disseminating fire ecology research, and facilitating partnerships between key stakeholders.

The network seeks to improve the capacity of land managers and private landowners to address issues of fire management and biodiversity, in South East Queensland and more broadly across Queensland. The Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium offers a range of resources and services including community fire information events, fire management planning workshops, training, resources, and research support. The Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium is committed to evidence-based science and practice, knowledge sharing, and respect, underpinned by an active collaborative engagement model. Visit The Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium website for more information and resources and to keep up to date with upcoming workshops and events.

The views of the QFBC are representative of the QFBC only and do not purport to represent the views of other stakeholders, government agencies, or organisations.