What you can do

Living Sustainably

Tips

Recreation

Prevent your cat from harming native wildlife by putting bells on its collar and keeping it indoors at night.
When bushwalking, keep to designated tracks and trails. Avoid sensitive vegetation such as dunes and wetlands.
When camping, make a fire only in constructed fireplaces using your own wood. Using fallen or standing timber interferes with the natural habitat for wildlife.
When camping, minimise use of fires, particularly in high conservation areas. Obey all fire bans and restrictions.
Dogs are not allowed in a national park. Dogs might chase and kill wildlife but also their faeces can carry diseases that can be harmful to wildlife.
When camping ensure that you get the appropriate license or permit from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and camp only in designated areas.
When staying in national parks or state forests, do not feed native wildlife and secure all food in wildlife-proof containers. The wrong food can make animals ill and in some cases can turn them into pests if they come to rely on being fed.
When visiting Aboriginal sites, do not touch or walk on rock engravings and cave art. It is disrespectful to picnic at an Aboriginal site.
Help preserve the integrity of historical sites. Don't souvenir items such as old nails, broken pottery or any artefact from the site.
When camping, avoid playing loud music or operating machinery, which interferes with the enjoyment of other visitors and disturbs wildlife.
Be 'bush-friendly' when camping. Use tents which are self-supporting or tent pegs. Don't tie tents to trees as this can ringbark and damage them.
Avoid camping on low or poorly drained areas where soil or vegetation may be easily damaged; seek harder ground or sandier soils.
If taking a vehicle into the bush, check the vehicle tyres and undercarriage are free of weeds or other environmental contaminants.
Children should avoid swimming at the beach and in inland waterways during, and at least one day after, heavy rain due to the possibility of stormwater pollution. Also, keep your children out of the water and safe during storms or lightning. For more information visit Beachwatch
Limit your children's exposure to the sun - prevent sunburn by using sunscreen, hats and clothing - remember "Slip, slop, slap".
Encourage children to drink water from the tap, bubbler or bottle, instead of soft drinks and cordials. Remember they will need to drink more when outdoors in hot weather or when active. If you or your children do have a soft drink, make sure you recycle the plastic bottle or can.
When picnicking, make sure you and your children take your rubbish away with you or use the bins provided in order to keep our parks, waterways and beaches clean.
When your children are outdoors during summer make sure they avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can carry diseases like Ross River virus. Cover up as much as possible with loose fitting light coloured clothing. Light mosquito coils or use vaporising mats in outdoor and indoor areas.