Welcome to the inaugural Australian Protected Areas Congress (APAC08). The congress will bring together leaders and experts in protected area management and research from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The congress is a unique opportunity for government, research institutions and NGOs to share the most advanced knowledge and thinking on terrestrial, freshwater and marine protected areas.

Organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the congress will be held at Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, Queensland from 24 - 28 November 2008. 

APAC08 will operate under the overall title of:
Australian Protected Areas Congress 2008 –  Protected areas in the century of change

It will focus on the values, benefits and contemporary and future importance to humankind of protected areas in Australia.

A multi-organisation steering committee has been established to provide advice, guidance and direction about the congress. Representatives are from:
•    Environmental Protection Agency (congress host)
•    Tourism Queensland
•    IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
•    WWF-Australia
•    University of Queensland.

The congress organising committee recognises that ownership and stewardship of protected areas has changed significantly over the past century. Accordingly, the congress will encompass protected areas of all governance types in the IUCN framework, including those managed by government, non-government, indigenous or community organisations.

On behalf of EPA and the steering committee partners, I have great pleasure in inviting you to register for the Australian Protected Areas Congress 2008. We also encourage prospective speakers to lodge proposals for papers, symposia, round tables and masterclass sessions that align with the congress themes.

I look forward to seeing you on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast in November 2008.


Ian Garven
Congress Coordinator
Environmental Protection Agency