National Parks Association of NSW seeks to protect and conserve the complete range and diversity of species, natural habitats, features and landscapes of New South Wales.

National Parks Association of NSW was formed in 1957 to establish a network of national parks in NSW. This was achieved with the passing of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act and the establishment of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in 1967.

Today NPA continues to build on this work through a network of 19 branches and over 5,000 members. The public reserve system now consists of over 500 national parks and nature reserves covering 6.7% of NSW. NPA continues to engage with and monitor NPWS, which has now grown to over 1600 employees and has a yearly budget of about $270M. NPA is presented with immense challenges for securing natural areas of NSW as a means of limiting current biodiversity decline. Despite the expansion of the national park estate1, it is still far short of achieving a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) protected area system. Western NSW is an area of particular concern. Significant progress can only be made through an additional focus on nature conservation across all tenures and different approaches to achieve conservation.

To achieve NPA’s mission, the organisation must work efficiently and think strategically to maximise the ability of its limited resources to achieve real outcomes. Effective action, relying on a broad support base, effective communication, sound relationships and an ability to rapidly respond to change is required.

This strategic plan provides a framework for NPA’s activities through a five-year vision (conservation objectives) and ways of operating (operational objectives). Each year NPA will develop yearly Action Plans and review the Association’s performance against the strategic objectives.

1.1. Propose and campaign for reserves in the following priority areas:

• woodlands (focusing on the NSW woodland belt)
• corridors and networks
• marine, estuarine and intertidal
• fertile soils

1.2. Achieve this through:

1.2.1. Major new reserves

1.2.2. Alternate approaches

1.3. In addition to the four priority areas above:

1.3.1. Systematically review and prioritise unreserved areas already identified with conservation values and seek their reservation. These areas to include:

• protected area inholdings, enclaves and some bordering lands
• Crown lands
• State forest formal and informal reserves
• Crown leasehold lands
• incomplete proposals
• proposals in Latham Report on Sydney Region Reserves
• inland wetlands

1.3.2. Formulate a policy on reserve categories under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and seek its implementation by the Government.

1.3.3. Seek improvements to legislation to provide for the management of marine and estuarine areas as marine national parks administered by the NSW and Federal Government’s conservation agencies (ie. NPWS and Environment Australia respectively).

1.3.4. Advocate for government and other funding to support direct acquisitions or other financial incentives or support that lead to priority expansions in protected areas.

1.3.5. Gather and update data on natural areas including existing and proposed reserves and other protected areas and the carrying out of community biodiversity surveys.

1.3.6. Campaign against significant threats to proposed reserves as required.

2.1. To work through analysis, direct involvement with NPWS Advisory Council, Regional Advisory Committees, formal submissions, strategic lobbying and campaigns to ensure:

• proper management of reserves prior to adoption of plans of management
• up-to-date plans of management that secure nature conservation values, appropriate use provisions and contain explicit guidelines and measurable outcomes
• management policies and plans progress and are implemented
• adequate resources are provided to achieve management objectives
• responses to strategic issues and actions that affect reserve management

2.2. Seek improvements to legislation guaranteeing better management of areas secured for nature conservation.

2.3. Advocate for legal and policy changes to natural resource management arrangements affecting NPA’s priority areas that minimise exploitation and maximise protection of the natural environment by ensuring the principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) are implemented. This will include improvements to legislation controlling the mining industry.

2.4. Establish mechanisms for community monitoring of protected area management, eg. a ‘park-watch’ web site.

2.5. Advocate for and monitor government and other funding that provides adequate and strategic resources or other financial incentives to secure nature conservation values in protected areas.

3.1. Produce a professional and timely National Parks Journal that informs and prompts members, government, and the public about issues relating to nature conservation, appropriate use, and the current work and policies of NPA.

3.2. Develop and enhance complementary communication mechanisms to the Journal, such as a regularly updated web site, CD-rom, topic-focused Internet discussion groups.

3.3. Provide a range of field activities (including bushwalks, biodiversity surveys, rehabilitation projects and social functions) and environmental education programs.

3.4. Develop links with education institutions to assist in environmental education and to further the objects of NPA.

3.5. Work with educational institutions and organisations to produce timely environmental education material reflecting NPA’s main activities.

3.6. Ensure that nature based tourism and visitation of protected areas is both appropriate and beneficial.

3.7. Produce national park and bushwalking guides, and similar publications using a range of media.

National Parks Association of NSW Inc is a non-profit community organisation that seeks to protect and conserve the complete range and diversity of species, natural habitats, features and landscapes of New South Wales.

Join the NPA and be part of protecting and enjoying natural areas in NSW. Members can support our work to create an expanded system of well-managed conservation reserves and particpate in the State’s largest walks and activities program. Contact NPA (see below) for a membership inquiry kit, or visit the website.

NPA has 19 branches throughout the state that campaign in their local area. Many offer a range of walks and other activities.

The bi-monthly National Parks Journal provides up-to-date information on NPA activities, environment news and topical and thought-provoking articles about conserving natural areas such as national parks, biodiversity conservation and related issues. It also contains an extensive walks and activities program that NPA members can participate in at no cost.

NPA State Council Office coordinates NSW-wide activities and campaigning. Visit 9th Floor, 91 York St, Sydney.

National Parks Association of NSW can be contacted on:

PO Box A96 Sydney South NSW 1235

Telephone: (02) 9299-0000

Fax: (02) 9290-2525

Email: npansw@npansw.org.au (general inquiries)

bushwalks@npansw.org.au (bushwalk inquiries)