Weekend trips to a local National park such as Lamington National Park have always been a great way to get away locally to recharge from long busy periods at work. Being able to be completely disconnect from emails, take in the fresh air and enjoy the simplicity yet complexity of the sights and sounds on […]
When asked to write an article about my experiences on Council for the National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ), I was not expecting the flood of memories that this triggered and I’m delighted to share some of that with you here. For those who do not know me, I retired at the 2020 Annual General […]
The roles and responsibilities of Rangers (park managers) are diverse requiring knowledge and skills in fauna and flora ecology and conservation, and ecological processes such as pollination, water quality, nutrient regulation, soil formation and retention, air quality regulation, weed and feral animal control and fire management 1. As well, they require knowledge and skills related […]
Congratulations to the National Parks Association of Queensland on celebrating its 90th anniversary! I was essentially born into NPAQ just short of 50 years ago. Day walks, regular weekend camping trips and yearly extended outings were the only holidays I had ever known growing up. There were many early morning starts where my sister and […]
Message from the Governor of Queensland Ninety years ago, Queensland’s fourteenth Governor, Sir John Goodwin, accepted the invitation from the National Parks Association of Queensland to become its inaugural Patron. As the current Governor, I have been very pleased to continue the tradition of vice-regal patronage of this great Queensland organisation. Sir John’s support was […]
Queenslanders have long enjoyed exploring our many and varied national parks and state forests. Australians from other states typically migrate to Queensland during the winter months and popularity has surged in the last decade. However, many have had their trips cut short or cancelled from March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of […]
A QPWS ranger applying fire for a planned burn in Crows Nest National Park. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages more than 13 million hectares of parks and forests (around 7.5% of Queensland), making it the largest land manager in the state. Maintaining the diverse natural, cultural, social and economic values of parks […]
Can we control fire with fire? Will more fuel reduction burning really save us and the bush we love? It’s time for a new approach, not failed remedies, says VNPA’s Phil Ingamells. We learnt as children that fire is a good friend and a bad master. And we’ve managed to tame fire in so many […]
Don Rowlands, a Ranger In Charge and descendent of the Watti Watti family and the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi elder in Central West Queensland Region, is based in Munga-Thirri National Park, also known as the Simpson Desert. After some time working in the cattle industry, it was time for a change. Don has a passion for looking […]
Riversleigh World Heritage Site, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. Photo: James Fitzgerald. On NPAQ’s 90th birthday, we celebrate its many successes in securing Queensland’s magnificent national parks. However, the development of a representative national park estate across all bioregions has stalled in recent years. Disturbingly, this is at a time of unprecedented pressure on our […]
