National parks celebration

National parks celebration

SYDNEY — The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will celebrate its 25th anniversary in October with a number of walks and other events.

About 5% of the state is covered by the service's 76 national parks and many other historic sites, Aboriginal sites, recreation areas and nature reserves, which are used by about 3 million people yearly.

Many important environments, particularly coastal lands, have been protected from development, mining and other activities through extension of national parks and creation of new ones. Only 12 national parks and another seven state parks existed when the service was established in 1965. The service now controls the only known habitats of some endangered animals, such as the yellow-footed rock wallaby.

The service hopes its anniversary celebrations will offer an opportunity to heighten environmental awareness and encourage community involvement in its activities.

From GLW issue 63