Conservation and land management 101: keeping Queensland’s protected areas safe
Issued: 17 Sep 6 min read

Once we acquire protected areas in Queensland, what happens? Here are all the factors that go into keeping these pockets of precious biodiversity alive and thriving.

As one of the most naturally and culturally diverse places on earth, Queensland is home to some very precious pieces of land – we’re talking totally unique and globally important ecosystems. In fact, Queensland’s protected area network covers almost 14.9 million hectares (8.6%) of the state.

Keeping these spaces safe is more than just a matter of acquisition – it’s a constant commitment to maintain and care for the land. It’s also a team effort – our protected areas are managed in partnership with First Nations peoples. We acknowledge that Queensland’s First Nations peoples have successfully stewarded their country for thousands of generations, and we benefit from their expertise and unique connection to Country. We also work with neighbours, councils, volunteers, and other land managers to ensure all bases are covered.

Protected areas also have diverse environmental and cultural values, recreational, community and commercial uses, infrastructure, and threats to consider – it’s a lot. So how do we balance all these factors while prioritising the health of the land? We’re here to talk you through all the elements that contribute to effective protected land management in Queensland.

A solid investment

With so much protected land to take care of, we need to factor in the cost and resources required to manage it all before we forge ahead with new acquisitions or expansions. It’s no good to just make the initial purchase – like any important asset, you need to set money aside for maintenance.

Our commitment to effective land management is backed by monetary investments to ensure ongoing care and protection for these priceless natural assets. This financial commitment comes alongside broader land management initiatives like boosting ranger numbers, implementing fire and pest control measures, and enhancing visitor experiences.

Caring for Country

First Nations peoples have been the traditional custodians of Queensland's land and waters for tens of thousands of years. Their deep connection to Country and unparalleled knowledge of ecosystems are invaluable. By partnering with Traditional Owners, we’re working towards a shared vision of conservation and cultural preservation.

We also understand that the boundaries of protected areas are a contemporary notion. We invest in landscape scale environmental and cultural outcomes through the Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program. Their expertise in traditional ecological knowledge, combined with modern conservation techniques, ensures a well-rounded approach to land management that supports two-way learning.

From conducting cultural burns to monitoring biodiversity, Indigenous rangers are at the forefront of preserving Queensland's natural and cultural heritage. We now partner with local First Nations and community organisations to support more than 200 rangers working in 47 communities across Queensland.

Boots on the ground

Park Rangers are hands-on heroes of Queensland's protected areas. Their role is multifaceted, encompassing everything from wildlife monitoring and habitat restoration to visitor safety and education. They might spend a day conducting surveys to track the population of threatened species like the koala or the cassowary, or they could be busy controlling invasive weeds that threaten delicate ecosystems.

When not in the field, Rangers spend time chatting with the public, sharing their passion for conservation and educating visitors about the importance of protecting our natural heritage. Their dedication and expertise are key ingredients in preserving Queensland's unique biodiversity.

A man with a beard wearing a khaki ranger shirt holds a green seedling.

Ranger Hayden on Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), removing seedlings of the invasive species, siam weed, before it seeds to prevent further spread.

Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Fire and pest management

Effective fire and pest management are crucial for safeguarding Queensland's protected areas. Our fire management strategy combines planned burns, infrastructure maintenance, and a highly skilled workforce with collaboration across government agencies and communities.

To bolster these efforts, we’ve put more money into enhancing the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service's fire management capacity so that more qualified rangers are on-site to help implement planned burns. Similarly, rigorous pest control programs, implemented in partnership with landholders and other stakeholders, are essential for protecting biodiversity and maintaining the delicate balance of these ecosystems.

Teamwork

While the Queensland Government takes responsibility for its protected areas portfolio, keeping the land safe and helping it flourish takes many hands (and brains). It takes strong partnerships with a range of people, including Traditional Owners, non-profit organisations, private landholders, industry, and local communities. By working together, we make the most of diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives to protect and enhance our natural environment.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s Good Neighbour policy is a great example of this teamwork in action. The policy aims to foster positive relationships between parks and forests and their surrounding communities. It’s a symbiotic relationship based on shared responsibilities – our Parks teams work together with the locals to act in the best interests of preserving protected areas.

These partnerships are essential for implementing innovative conservation strategies, securing long-term funding, and building community support for environmental initiatives. As we look ahead, we are exploring opportunities to expand these collaborations and create an even greater impact.

Moving with the times

The world around us is always changing and evolving – so our protected area strategies need to do the same to keep up. Queensland’s protected area management is based on an adaptive approach that considers both current and potential threats, while also recognising the unique needs of different areas. Management decisions are informed by past challenges as well as scientific-based future modelling. Being proactive and flexible means we can take stock of what’s working, change what isn’t, and use our knowledge to create smart plans for the future.

A yellow-footed rock wallaby stands on a red-brown rock face.

Keeping our protected areas healthy helps some of Queensland’s most vulnerable species survive - like this adorable yellow-footed rock wallaby.

Growing Queensland’s protected areas

When it comes to preserving Queensland’s unique ecosystems, we’ve put our money where our mouth is – by committing to expand protected areas to 17% of the state. Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy (PDF, 5.6MB) provides a roadmap for achieving this, with a focus on creating a comprehensive network that safeguards biodiversity across all regions. By strategically prioritising land acquisitions and fostering public-private partnerships, we’re taking significant steps to safeguard Queensland’s natural heritage – for now and in the future.

Tags

Related posts

More related posts