Warby-Ovens National Park has become the first site in Victoria 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 the best-managed sites on the planet.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced the listing of the park, which is now one of only four Australian sites to be admitted to the IUCN Green List.

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.

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.

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.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“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.”

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“Our local community should be very proud of this listing for Warby-Ovens which provides such beautiful places to escape and enjoy nature.”