International recognition of QPWS’ Management Effectiveness
© Dr Sherri Tanner-McAllister 2022.
In South East Queensland, Lamington National Park, or ‘Woonoongoora’ in the Yugambeh language, is part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia World Heritage Area, recognising its outstanding universal values and natural and scenic beauty. Clans of the Yugambeh language have had a connection with this park and the broader Gondwana landscape for thousands of years and continue to do so.
In 2024, Lamington National Park received accreditation under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List program, which is an independent evaluation of management effectiveness.
The listing demonstrates that the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships’ (QPWS&P) management of the park meets best practice protected area management criteria and is set to deliver effective management to achieve successful conservation outcomes through good governance and sound design and planning.
Lamington National Park is Australia’s first world heritage park to be listed. The Green List process was an excellent opportunity for QPWS&P to test and showcase its adaptive management approach, the Values Based Management Framework (VBMF), on the international stage.
The most valuable outcome of the Green List assessment for QPWS&P was the independent benchmarking of its VBMF by the IUCN as a world-class protected area management framework, giving the agency confidence to continue uplifting its operations and culture. As the VBMF continues to be rolled out, QPWS&P will strive to expand upon what has been learnt from the accreditation process and further improve its management approach and effectiveness through ongoing evaluation.
Quote from the Deputy Director-General, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Partnerships; Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation:
“The listing highlights the effective management of Lamington National Park, one of Queensland’s most iconic parks. I would like to congratulate all the staff involved in the Green List nomination process and the hard work of the Lamington Park rangers in delivering this achievement.”
Quotes from the Australian EAGL (expert assessment panel):
“The QPWS&P staff are to be commended for the adaptions made to the management frameworks of the park over the course of the consideration of the Green List proposal.”
“The work on the values-based framework and associated thresholds is excellent.”
Quote from IUCN member Emeritus Professor Marc Hockings:
“It is extremely satisfying to see Lamington National Park join the elite company of protected areas around the world on the IUCN Green List. Its inclusion confirms not only its exceptional value but also that it is being managed to the highest international standards.”