Warby-Ovens National Park receives International Recognition

Warby-Ovens National Park has become the first site in Victoria and one of only four Australian sites to be admitted to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas – a global standard for nature conservation recognising best-managed sites.

Located between the Victorian Alps and Murray Valley on Yorta Yorta Country, Warby-Ovens National Park protects three distinct landscapes − the granite hills and woodlands of the Warby Range, the Box‐Ironbark Forest of Killawarra and the River Red Gum forests and wetlands of the heritage-listed lower Ovens River.

These provide a sanctuary for native plants and animals like the migratory Swift Parrot and the endangered Carpet Python. The national park is a haven for nature lovers and offers a wide range of recreational, educational and social opportunities including bushwalking, birdwatching, cycling, camping and canoeing.

Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced the listing of the park noting “achieving Green List certification for Warby-Ovens National Park is a testament to the hard work of Parks Victoria and the passionate local community.

“Our state has some of the most beautiful and accessible parks and open spaces in Australia, which is especially important at the moment.”

The Victoria Government has provided more than $280,000 towards conservation programs to protect the environment at Warby-Ovens, and $350,000 through Victoria’s Great Outdoors initiative to improve the camping experience at Camerons Bend Campground.

The park was added to the Green List because of its outstanding natural values, including some of the best examples of Box-Ironbark Forest and Riverine Forest and Woodlands in Victoria and world-class governance with input from Traditional Owners.

Contributions from an engaged local community, improved understanding and knowledge through citizen science, and conservation programs that keep the park healthy also contributed to the listing.

Sites on the IUCN Green List have demonstrated excellence based on a rigorous assessment against the IUCN Green List Standard of 17 criteria.

Find out more at the IUCN Green List website iucngreenlist.org.