The Knowledge and Research Standing Committee and associated Working Group support a diverse range of projects that articulate the environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits of parks to society and the environment. 

Projects are designed to deliver on Strategic Plan’s key result area of Sharing Knowledge, Information, Expertise and Experience.

Key projects include:

The Values of Parks:

The production and publication of The Value of Parks document to promote the significance of parks to key government and community decision-makers.The publication was produced in partnership with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas and the People and Parks Foundation. For more information on The Values of Parks Document, click here.

Research:

Preparation of the Parks Forum Research Strategy and Research Agenda. This work highlights the mechanisms for research partnerships between park management agencies and research institutions, presents a collective view of the industry’s research needs and outlines case studies of current successful programs.

Sharing information:

Redesign of the Parks Forum website and development of the Publications Database.This project aims to enhance the exchange of information, knowledge and expertise within the parks industry and make possible ‘real-time’ opportunities for building expertise and high quality management of our parks.

Current Standing Committee and Working Group members:

• Chair : Amanda Cox, Manager, Marketing & Design, Parks & Forests, Greater Wellington Regional Council
  
• Brian Sheppard,Marketing and Communications Group Department of Conservation, NZ
• Greg Dodd, Manager, Major Programs, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, NSW
• Tony Varcoe, Manager, Research And Management Effectiveness, Parks Victoria
• John Ferguson, Director Site Coordination, Sydney Olympic Park Authority
• Stuart Lennox,Manager, Strategy and Sustainable Use, Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service
• Neil Olsen, Senior Recreation Advisor, Auckland Regional Council
• Brian Knowles, Visitor Research Officer, Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service
• Ingrid Sieler, Program Manager, Parks Forum

Terms of reference

Members can download the Standing Committee Terms of Reference below: