The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) is the peak environment council for the Darling Downs, Southern Downs, Western Downs and Lockyer Valley regions. Established in 2014 it represents and supports local democratic grass roots environmental protection and conservation groups. DDEC is the regional branch of the Queensland Conservation Council, the state’s peak environmental body and is largely funded through a grant administered by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and auspiced by the Queensland Conservation Council.