Welcome new readers!

You are receiving this e-Newsletter because you have purchased a NSW National Parks annual pass and here at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service we want to keep in contact with you and let you know some of the great things happening in our parks.

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If you do wish to keep receiving Naturescapes, no action need be taken. Further information can be found at our website www.nswnationalparks.com.au or by contacting us on 13 PARK (13 7275).

See the outback like never before

The national parks of Western NSW have been transformed in recent months, with abundant rains turning ochre-red deserts into sparkling lakes and green hills teeming with wildlife.

Just east of Broken Hill is Kinchega National Park and the Menindee Lakes system, which is fed by one of Australia's most famous rivers, the Darling River. Until 2010 the lake system had been dry for over a decade. With recent rains the countryside has come alive, the rivers and lakes are full and the birdlife is in abundance.

Sturt National Park, further north, is also ablaze with colour after the rains. Taking advantage of such fertile opportunity, the Sturt National Park Discovery Program has been reintroduced after many years. Explore this corner of NSW using the comfortable Mt Wood Homestead as your base. The homestead is located in the park and is a great place to relax and plan day trips throughout the park.

These timeless western landscapes are home to giant red kangaroos, roaming emus and sunbaking lizards, while the wetlands are attracting birds in their thousands - the abundance has even amazed local national parks rangers.

Now is a fantastic time to visit the national parks of NSW's Outback and experience the desert while it's blooming. Please check with the relevant National Park for up-to-date road conditions and access information prior to travel.

Explore our enchanting forests

NSW national parks is celebrating the UN International Year of Forests throughout 2011, and this Easter school holidays many of our parks around the state are running tours. From the coast to the outback, we invite you to explore the various forests on show in parks throughout the state.

From the thriving coastal rainforests, visitors can enjoy 4WD tag-a-long tours like the Watagans Highlights in the Hunter, or the Postman's track down south, and even out to the majestic Eucalypt forests of the outback at Mount Wood.

For those seeking something slower paced, there are discovery walks like the IYF Nature Walk in the Werakata, Enchanted Forest walks in Brisbane Water National Park as well as in Budderoo National Park, while out in our new outback wetlands we have Junior Ranger: flooded forest tours.

To find more great school holidays events, check out Wild Wild World.

Join the celebrations at Scheyville

Join us for a trip down memory lane, as Scheyville National Park's history is brought to life at its Centenary Celebrations through an exhibition of photographs, documents and recorded history.

Or perhaps you have your own Scheyville story to tell? Visitors are welcome to contribute to the Scheyville collection through photographs, preferably digitalised, memorabilia or personal belongings relating to their stay at the centre. You can also explore relics of the Casual Labour Farm, Agricultural Training Farm, and discover relics of the park's military history.

Taking place on Sunday 15 May from 10am to 3pm, the centenary celebration is an event that will reflect the path of European occupation at Scheyville, embracing the diverse groups associated with the site since 1911. Find out more at the Scheyville website.

New Pygmy-Possum colonies discovered

Thankfully we have had some good news on the Pygmy Possum front. The possum is one of our most appealing yet vulnerable native creatures.

NPWS rangers and volunteers recently surveyed Kosciuszko National Park in search of pygmy possums, and discovered a rewarding number of these tiny animals. This was a top effort by our intrepid team, who battled record-breaking rain, fierce winds and late snow on their mission.

Ranger Mel Schroder and Dr Linda Broome report that 8 possums were found at Mt Blue Cow, up from 5 last year. Better still, 7 of these were new females with pouch young. The team also discovered 3 new mountain pygmy possum colonies at much lower altitudes than other populations - suggesting that the species is more adaptable to warmer temperatures than previously thought.

Last summer, the NPWS 'Find it and Fix it' conservation program trapped and removed feral cats and foxes, which prey on this endangered species, from pygmy possum habitat at Mt Blue Cow. The planting of 400 mountain plum pines - some of the possum’s favourite food - is also helping to restore important habitat for these tiny animals.

The NPWS, together with the University of NSW and the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, is developing a captive breeding program to brighten the future of this iconic species. Find out more.

A slice of Sydney's history revealed

The tale of the Japanese midget submarine invasion in the second world war, when conflict came right into Sydney Harbour, fascinates Sydneysiders and visitors.

Now, you can join NPWS on a tour that will take you right back to the fateful night in May 1942, when three Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour to unleash an attack on the city. What happened next is a truly inspiring tale...

Aboard an historic ferry you’ll actively trace the movement of the vessels and the steps of the brave civilians and naval personnel from both sides involved in this most extraordinary story. The tour includes a visit to Garden Island where you will see the conning towers (the compartment that launched the periscope) of one of the ill fated submarines. Morning tea at Salthorse Café is included. More information can be found at our website.

Campground hosts in your parks this Easter

Do you enjoy camping in National Parks? Ever wished there was a Campground Host around to tell you about the cool things happening at your campground and the park? You're in luck! A Campground Host may be in a park near you this Easter holiday!

Previously only run on the Far South Coast at Ben Boyd and Bournda National Parks, the Campground Hosts program will be expanded this Easter holidays to campgrounds at Bundjalung, Blue Mountains and Kosciuszko National Parks, Hill End Historic Site and Munmorah State Conservation Areas.

Our new campground 'ambassadors' will be available during the morning and evenings to assist you with your campsite bookings, point you in the direction of park activities and local attractions, and keep you updated with important information related to the campground. Campground Hosts are volunteers who have applied to the program and have attended our tailored training workshop.

To find out more about the NSW Campground Host program, visit the NPWS volunteer website.

Perisher Easter excitement

Think Perisher is just for skiing? Take a look, there’s plenty on over Easter - with a host of activities for friends and families to enjoy.

You and the kids can take a guided walk or a bike ride, see the top of Australia on a chairlift ride, go on a treasure hunt or simply head out to enjoy the crisp autumn air.

The main event will be the annual Perisher Fun Run (or walk) between Perisher Gap and Charlotte Pass on Saturday April 23. And if you’re more of a spectator than participant - there’s the Great Perisher Duck Race later that afternoon.

There’ll be plenty of venues open for food, drinks and socialising, so head to Perisher and be part of the fun.

For more information call David Read on 0418 419 938, djread@bigpond.com, or Dave Woods on 6450 5616, dave.woods@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Lane Cove scores gold nationally

Congratulations to Lane Cove River Tourist Park, who recently managed to score two big gongs at the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, knocking out all other contenders in both the categories of Ecotourism and Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.

NSW national parks will also like to congratulate our partners who also won awards on the night, including Taronga Zoo and Tri State Safaris.

We'd also like to recognise all the great national parks and parks experiences that took out regional awards for their effort and contribution to our amazing parks system!

What's on

To find more events in and around your national parks, visit Wild Wild World and search using our activity finder!