NPAQ Scientific Advisory Body

Primary Objectives:The NPAQ Scientific Advisory Body objectives:1. To provide advice on the fundamental issues underlying the preservation, expansion and wise management of the protected area estate2. To assist in applying science to NPAQ strategic planning and policies including the conservation strategy, position statements, direction of advocacy campaigns and support for on-ground projects3. To provide expert and evidence-based scientific foundation when analyzing issues of relevance to the existing and future protected area estate

Composition: The National Parks Association of Queensland’s Scientific Advisory Body includes eminent scientists and ecologists from academic institutions and selected protected area specialists, who are experienced working on protected area estate issues in Queensland (and Australia) including: national parks; private protected areas; marine protected areas; biodiversity and climate change, landscape ecology and conservation; threatened species; sustainable recreation; and ecotourism.

Membership: 

  • Marc Hockings, Emeritus Professor, University of Queensland (retired): National parks, private protected areas, ecology and conservation

  • Hugh Possingham, Professor, University of Queensland: Protected area design and management, biodiversity and climate change, fire regime management, landscape ecology, marine reserve design

  • James Watson, Associate Professor, University of Queensland: Climate change adaptation

  • Catherine Pickering, Professor, Griffith University: Protected area management, recreation ecology (tourism impacts, weeds

  • Peter Cochrane, Australian National University: Ecotourism, marine reserves

  • David Cassell: Protected area management