In 2014 I had the privilege of sitting on a rocky “jump-up” (or mesa) at the end of a long and hot day on what is now Pullen Pullen Reserve. It’s a remote and vast landscape in the Channel Country of central-west Queensland dominated by long unburnt spinifex, Mitchell grass downs and stony gibber plains. […]
National parks are important environmental resources, giving protection to the flora, fauna and ecosystems that underpin a healthy environment for us all to live in and pass on to future generations. National parks not only play a vital role in the environment but also contribute social, cultural and economic value to our society. The University […]
History First Nations people visited St Helena Island thousands of years prior to European habitation. They were attracted to the Island each year during the warmer months, when large colonies of fruit bats congregated. During the winter they hunted dugong in the surrounding waters. Huge middens of bone and shell, one being the oldest man-made […]
Cathy Gatley is Ranger-in-Charge of Mon Repos Conservation Park, just east of Bundaberg. Working with plants and animals is in her DNA… Why did you decide to become a ranger? My dad was a veterinarian who treated lots of native animals, so I was fortunate to grow up with koalas, gliders and birds around the […]
Welcome to the Summer edition of Protected, and my first as President. Let me introduce myself: I have been an NPAQ Councillor for the past three years, and an active member of the Advocacy Committee during that time. My professional experience has been with natural resources and environmental planning at the site and regional scale, […]
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 […]
Nantawarrina, the first Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in Australia was declared in 1998, on the Adnyamathanha lands (SA), since that time IPAs have grown due to demand from traditional owners across the country. In October 2022 there are now 81 IPAs nationally, protecting over 85 million hectares of land and over 5 million hectares of […]
The Romeo Lahey Memorial Lecture is held in memory and celebration of our founder, Romeo Lahey. There have been 19 memorial lectures to date, with the first being held the year after the passing of Romeo Lahey, who died in 1968. All previous Romeo Lahey Memorial Lectures can be read on the NPAQ website: https://npaq.org.au/rhl/ The 20th […]
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 […]
