marine park forum – National Parks Association of NSW

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.

Nicole McMahon, NPA Member

It is an overwhelming experience when you begin your journey into becoming environmentally conscious. You discover the human impact on our environment is a polarising topic. So, for those wanting to make simple steps in the right direction, it can be difficult to gauge where to begin. I believe public forums, such as the NSW Marine Parks Forum, are a great place to start.

On July 1, I had the privilege of attending the NSW Marine Parks Forum, University of Technology Sydney, co-hosted by NPA NSW. The co-hosts included UTS’s School of Life Sciences, The Australian Marine Conservation Society, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Ocean Youth, WWF-Australia and The Wilderness Society.

I heard from some incredible speakers making waves (pun intended) on our environment from Byron to Batemans Bay, as well as learning the shocking ways in which our Marine Parks are being impacted by higher officials neglecting, what is to many Australians, our backyard. I also learned that highly protected marine sanctuaries can thrive when they are supported by strong, connected communities like in Manly.

Tag: marine park forum

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