World heritageWorld heritage

World heritage

The wild Wollemi Pine population and the two translocated stands exist within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA), which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in November 2000. The area supports outstanding biodiversity values, including over 100 eucalypt species occurring in sclerophyll ecosystems in an extraordinarily diverse area rich in natural and cultural values. The Wollemi pine is listed in the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value under Criterion (ix): be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals (NSW NPWS 2000).

The GBMWHA Strategic Plan was developed in 2009 to assist in meeting Australia’s international responsibilities under the World Heritage Convention (NSW NPWS 2009). The plan ensures that appropriate consideration is given to the GBMWHA’s World Heritage values by managers when developing management prescriptions for the GBMWHA reserves, and that they are developed and implemented in a consistent and coordinated way. This recovery plan has been prepared to be consistent with the objectives of the Strategic Plan through:

 conserving and transmitting to future generations the Wollemi Pine and its habitat as a key value of the GBMWHA

 coordinating with existing plans including the NSW SoS program, the NPWS AIS CAP and the Wollemi National Park Plan of Management as part of an integrated planning program for the GBMWHA

 giving the GBMWHA a function in the life of the Australian community by providing for the commercial propagation of the Wollemi Pine and planting of Wollemi Pine in botanic gardens (such as Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, and Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah)

 strengthening appreciation and respect for the GBMWHA’s World Heritage values through educational programs surrounding the Wollemi Pine

 taking the appropriate scientific, technical, legal, administrative and financial measures necessary for implementing these principles

 providing for continuing community and technical input in managing the Wollemi Pine through collaborations with a diverse range of groups and organisations.