Protected Areas Management
Mt Augustus, WA
Photo: Nick Rains
The National Reserve System (NRS) represents the collective efforts of the States, Territories, the Australian Government, and non-government organisations to achieve an Australian system of protected areas as a major contribution to the conservation of our native biodiversity.
A series of draft principles of protected area management have been developed including the following core areas:
- Planning
- Management and Partnerships
- Compliance and Enforcement
- Monitoring and Evaluation
National principles for managing protected areas in Australia's National Reserve System
Australia's National Reserve System will be managed to ensure:
- Natural and cultural heritage values are identified and protected to maintain or enhance their condition now and for future generations:
- Collaborative partnerships are established across community sectors that have a special interest in protected areas including Indigenous communities, neighbours, the visitors and park users, the scientific community and education and research institutions and the tourism industry where appropriate:
- Indigenous peoples are recognised as having a special connection to land and being culturally committed to caring for country using traditional knowledge of the Australian environment. The national reserve system provides an important opportunity to support these cultural needs and involve Indigenous people in its management;
- Services and opportunities for public appreciation, understanding and experience are provided through programs that are culturally appropriate and ecologically sustainable, and do not compromise protected area values;
- An understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural values of protected areas in the national reserve system is promoted together with an appreciation of the importance of protected areas as key areas for securing Australia's natural diversity
- Management is informed, adaptive and transparent.
Protected Area Management Regimes
The management of individual protected areas is tracked by the allocation of IUCN management categories.
Key
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