About us

The Department for Environment and Water aims to help South Australians conserve, sustain and prosper.

Our work is critical to South Australia’s future social, environmental and economic prosperity. The way we manage, conserve, and sustain our environment and cultural resources is vital for the wellbeing of all South Australians.

We manage our national parks, botanic gardens and heritage places for their intrinsic value and for people’s benefit and enjoyment now and into the future.

We are an authority on the state’s environment and natural resources, helping community, industry, and government make good long-term decisions.

We drive the sustainable development of South Australia’s natural resources and heritage, to deliver economic prosperity and a vibrant and healthy society.

Our vision

A thriving state built on sound stewardship of our environment and water.

Our purpose

To help South Australians conserve, sustain and prosper.

Our roles

To achieve our purpose we’ve adopted four complementary roles:
  • A facilitator of community involvement in and taking responsibility for the environment.
  • A steward of the state’s natural resources to enable sustainable development.
  • The custodian of public parks, gardens, heritage places and Crown lands for public benefit and enjoyment, and for their intrinsic value.
  • An authority on the state’s environment and natural resources to help governments, businesses and individuals make good long-term decisions.
White Ribbon logo

As a supporter of the White Ribbon campaign, the department is taking steps to prevent and respond to violence against women by developing a strong culture of respectful relationships and behaviours within our workplace and by providing leadership through our role in the community.