Spring 2025 – National Parks Association of NSW

Resisting Fascist Ducktators

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2025August 26, 2025in Spring 20251 Comment

Gary Dunnett, CEO NPA NSW

The piece started in a dark place, a study into the implications of political authoritarianism for National Parks and the environment. I began by looking at the changes that 2025 brought to staffing, finances and even educational programs in the US National Parks Service. There were moments of inspiration, notably the leadership of former (and probably existing) parks staff in opposing the new policies- I’d recommend having a look at ‘Alt National Parks Service’ on Facebook or the ‘Our Parks’ website. However, it quickly and predictably became very clear, the rise of authoritarian politics is just as disastrous for nature as it is for aid, medicine, trade and peace.

Yiraaldiya National Park

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2025August 26, 2025in Spring 2025Leave a comment

David Stead, President Sydney Region Branch

Yiraaldiya National Park lies on the Cumberland Plain in western Sydney, around 40 km north‑west of the Sydney CBD. Formerly known as Shanes Park Reserve, its name was chosen with input from the Darug people and originates from an 1899 record describing the area between South Creek and Eastern Creek as Yiraaldiya.

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Coffs Coast Branch and NPA Advocate for Great Koala National Park

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2025August 26, 2025in Spring 2025Leave a comment

Liz Jeremy, Paula Flack, Sharon Peterson and Dr Grahame Douglas, Coffs Coast Branch

The Coffs Coast Branch, working alongside NPA head office, has been actively campaigning for the establishment of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP), using multiple advocacy strategies to support this significant conservation initiative. With the NSW Government committing $80 million over four years for the park’s development, our branch has focused on building community and business support while raising awareness about the project’s importance.

NPA NSW wins Valerie Taylor Awards for NSW Marine Parks Forum

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2025August 26, 2025in Spring 2025Leave a comment

Danielle Ryan
Conservation Campaigner, NPA NSW

Ocean conservationists and scientists gathered at the Maritime Museum Friday 8^th August 2025 to celebrate Ocean Legend Valerie Taylor and the next generation of ocean conservationists. NPA’s conservation campaigner Danielle Ryan won the big prize of the night, a beautifully handcrafted bronze seahorse statue for their work on the NSW Marine Parks Forum. The seahorse artwork was made by the organiser of the prize Merran Hughes, Blue World Foundation. Other prize winners included ocean conservationists, who are also NPA members, including Nicole McMahon, Emily Rowland, and Sam Nerrie.

Southern Forests Campaign Update Spring 2025

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2025August 26, 2025in Spring 2025Leave a comment

Kate Carroll, Conservation Projects Officer

As the long delays on the north coast’s Great Koala National Park continue to frustrate communities and conservationists, momentum is gathering in the south with our next big proposal – the Great Southern Forest National Park. This landmark proposal is perhaps the NPA’s most ambitious yet. It represents years of groundwork and is now culminating in a powerful, evidence-based case to protect some of the most ecologically valuable public native forests in southern NSW.

From Nets to Networks: A Changing Current for Shark Control in NSW

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2025August 26, 2025in Spring 2025Leave a comment

Emily Rowland, Sydney Region Branch and Nets Out and David Stead, President Sydney Region Branch

From Nets to Networks: A Changing Current For Shark Control in NSW

For nearly a century, shark nets have lined the eastern coastline of Australia as silent markers of an era that mistook dominance for protection. First introduced in New South Wales in 1937 after a series of shark attacks, these nets were seen as a technological solution to public fear: a way to control nature in the name of safety.