Professor Benjamin J. Richardson and Sarah Brugler, University of Tasmania
We often think of nature conservation as the job of governments. Yet, private landowners can also help to create protected areas. Covenants are a unique legal tool for this purpose, and they are increasingly used in NSW.
Read More “Conservation covenants: A tool for NSW landowners to protect biodiversity”
Joyce (Yueh) Zhang, NPA Intern
China’s Ecological Conservation Redline (ECR) policy includes strict “No Go” zones where development is not allowed. ECR zones cover biodiversity hotspots, key water sources, fragile soils, coastal protection, and other areas critical for national ecological security. In simple words, a red line prioritises protection of what China believes is the most important places for human wellbeing. Official data reports about 3.19 million km² of redline areas nationwide (roughly around one-third of China’s land), with 18% of China’s land covered in fully protected areas.[1] ECR is a vastly different approach to Australia’s strategy of following the Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative (CAR) model, in that it that its primary objective is not conservation, but rather ecological security and sustainable development.[2] The protection of biodiversity is a secondary benefit. Protected areas, including Nature Reserves and National Parks, are still a central pillar of China’s conservation agenda but ECR also includes unique zoning, such as Ecological Function Zones (for critical ecosystem services like water supply). Together with national biodiversity plans, China presents ECR as its model to meet the global 30×30 goal.[3]
Read More “China’s Redline Approach: Can Ecological Redlines provide a pathway to 30 by 30 in NSW?”
Dr Jonathon Howard, NPA Executive member
The Draft Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan was recently released for public comment. It sets out a vision to 2040. It highlights the outcomes Australia wants to achieve, and identifies opportunities for collective national action to help tackle key challenges while supporting people’s livelihoods and our growing ocean economy.
Read More “The ‘hard yards’ needed to conserve Australia’s marine environment”
Author: James Bradley. Published by Hamish Hamilton in 2024
Review by Graham Kelly of NPA’s Environmental Book Group
Bradley is a Sydney writer of fiction and science non-fiction and is also a prize-winning critic. He brings his vast research and expressive skills to this wide-ranging set of views of the ocean. The book describes its multiple layers and ecology, the nature and lives of its inhabitants, and major contemporary topics relating to their health and future. Historical narratives are frequently used to explain how we have arrived at current situations and to inform the future. Current research and activities aimed at mitigating the effects of adverse future changes are often included to express hope for the future.
Read More “Book Review: Deep Water – the world in the ocean”
The Volunteer Awards were announced at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 19 November and were presented by Executive Committee members Helen Wilson and Liz Jeremy. Some awards will be presented later.
The NPA Volunteer Awards were established in 2004 to honour Prudence Tucker, a longstanding and dedicated member of NPA. The Awards recognise consistent, persistent, innovative and significant effort by members in support of NPA’s aims, projects and member activities.
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