About the National Reserve System
National Reserve System video
WWF-Australia
The National Reserve System is Australia's network of protected areas, conserving examples of our unique landscapes, plants and animals for future generations.
It forms the nation's natural safety net against our biggest environmental challenges: climate change and declining water resources.
The reserve system includes more than 9,000 protected areas. It is made up of national parks, Indigenous lands and huge reserves run by non-profit conservation organisations, through to ecosystems protected by farmers on their private working properties. These protected areas are all managed for conservation according to international guidelines.
In all, over 89 million hectares are protected - more than 11 per cent of the continent.
Australia's protected areas
Protected areas conserve the healthy ecosystems that sustain human life.
Requirements and targets for protected areas
A protected area is an area of land or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity.
History of the National Reserve System
For over a century Australia has been setting aside protected areas to conserve biodiversity.
Ownership of protected areas
Australia's National Reserve System is one of the world's great conservation partnerships.