The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) has warmly welcomed the renewed focus on environment issues announced today in The Greens’ ‘Protect Nature’ policy.
The policy incorporates initiatives from ‘A Cleaner, Greener NSW’ – the joint policy platform for NSW’s environment groups – including creating the Great Koala National Park, ending native forest logging on public land, protecting national parks, creating new parks and helping farmers to restore landscapes and reverse the impacts of land clearing.
“It’s great to see nature being put front and centre, because it’s becoming ever-clearer that we need to act urgently to protect the places and wildlife we love”, said NPA Senior Ecologist, Dr Oisín Sweeney.
“$2 billion to transition out of native forest logging and resume building a world class network of national parks in NSW is a big step forward”, he continued.
“Similarly, a $1.5 billion fund to help farmers protect and restore native vegetation is a win-win for conservation and farming, because we’re increasingly realising the vital role that native vegetation plays in creating rainfall and keeping farms productive.
The investment in protecting nature will help farmers who are struggling to drought future-proof their businesses, and ensure that the huge economic benefits that nature brings to regional communities is not sacrificed for short-term vested interests.
“NPA urges all parties to return environmental protection to the centre stage of government policy,” Dr Sweeney concluded.
Ends.
Media contact: Oisín Sweeney 9299 0000
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