It provides advice on ecologically sustainable land and water management issues and with regard to threatened native flora and fauna.
[1] It is named after Sir Arthur Rylah, a long-serving Victorian politician and deputy state premier between 1955 and 1971.
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI) was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 8 April 1970 as part of the Fisheries and Wildlife Division of the Victorian state government.
The foundation Director was Alfred Dunbavin Butcher, who also had an association with Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.
The ARI annual report summarises key activities and research completed that have importance in changing the way Australian fauna and flora thrive in 21st century environments.