Sydney Harbour National Landscape, launched in February 2013, has reached an exciting milestone - the finalisation of the Experience Development Strategy (EDS).

The EDS will guide collaboration between the public and private sector on a range of sustainable and visitor experiences that will link conservation and tourism.

The EDS will be launched towards the end of March and NPWS will also be announcing an exciting new grant program to support the National Landscapes program. If you'd like more information about the program or the launch, please email Christina Bullivant or phone 9585 6613.

OEH has recently welcomed Sally Chatterjee as the new Director, Customer Experience.

"I am delighted to announce Sally’s appointment to this exciting role,” said Anne King, Head of NPWS.

“Sally’s distinguished career includes CEO of Visit London and most recently, senior roles with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and The Cancer Council NSW. She has extensive experience in managing major international brands, and in delivering outcomes for customers.

“Sally’s priority is to lead OEH in enhancing the customer experience right across the organisation”, Ms King said.

The recently established OEH Customer Experience Division brings together a broad range of customer functions for NPWS and OEH, spanning experience development, volunteering and participation, tourism and partnerships, events, marketing and digital, and management of OEH’s customer touchpoints, including call centres, visitor centres, websites and social media.

If you love parks as much as we do, here's your once in a decade chance to participate in an international event dedicated to the conservation of parks around the world.

This November, NPWS and Parks Australia are co-hosting the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's, World Parks Congress. Held at Sydney Olympic Park, it will bring together over 3000 participants from 160 countries to plan for the future of some of the planet's most valuable places.

It is well known that parks are the cornerstone for biodiversity conservation, but did you know that they also contribute to human health, by being the source of clean air as well as new drugs; enhance food security by boosting fisheries and preserving wild relatives of crops, and provide homes, jobs and livelihoods to millions of people around the world?

Held once every 10 years, the World Parks Congress provides a unique opportunity to bring about change not only today, or tomorrow, but for the decade ahead. Not just for those working within the environmental sector, this is an event for everyone who cares about a healthy planet and healthy society.

Join us from 12-19 November 2014 to help find inspiring solutions for parks, people and the planet.

For more information about registration, presenting at the Congress, volunteering or participating in one of the eight topic streams, visit the website.

It's that time of year when NPWS is set to promote visitation to the NSW Outback. This year is set to be bigger and better. With a broader range of partners on board for the Outback campaign that will be led and managed by Inland NSW Tourism.

To support this, NPWS promotional activities are due to commence soon, and will include a campaign webpage on the NPWS website, social media, digital marketing and public relations activities.

This is a great, FREE opportunity for all NPWS EcoPass holders in the Outback to maximise the opportunities to drive awareness of, and bookings to your tours and activities.

If you'd like to get involved please email us by March 26.

The NPWS is working closely with Landcare, who have secured $30,000 from infrastructure company, Jemena to revitalise the Kukundi Wildlife shelter at Lane Cove National Park.

The project will involve turning the shelter into a nature play area that children aged between 6-12 can explore and enjoy. The new look play area is being designed to encourage children to explore their natural environment through unobstructed play and spontaneous investigation in a setting of ‘naturalness’.

In addition to the construction, the play area will also be included in leading children’s program WilderQuest with a feature that is related to the Kukundi experience.

NPWS Far South Coast Region, Conservation Volunteers Australia and Auswide Projects are offering an exciting package to World Parks Congress delegates in November 2014.

Delegates from all over the world are being offered an action packed, four day field trip showcasing Montague Island Nature Reserve, the Light to Light Walk and Green Cape Light Station in Ben Boyd National Park.

The package includes a tour and a night’s accommodation on Montague Island,organised by CVA and NPWS. Next a journey south for a supported Light to Light walk with guides from Auswide, NPWS' partner in nature and culture based experiences. The walk will culminate in a night at the amazing Green Cape Light Station. The delegates will be sure to see seals, penguins, whales and experience fantastic encounters with nature and culture in these iconic locations.