In the year that Sydney hosts the prestigious World Parks Congress, Environment Minister Robyn Parker today announced an exciting line up of events and activities that will be held across NSW in March to celebrate Parks Week 2014.

“National parks throughout the state will be offering an array of signature experiences during Parks Week, which runs from 3-9 March and encourages people to connect with nature,” Ms Parker said.

“It is an annual celebration and activities are being organised in various parks and reserves across the state.

“In celebrating this week, we wanted to create opportunities for the community to come together and connect with these special places that not only conserve our unique environment but provide so many benefits to our community.

There will be a series of exciting family and community activities during Parks Week 2014, including:

• A community open day at Glenrock State Conservation Area with a range of recreational experiences such as mountain biking, horse riding, hang gliding, surfing, bush regeneration, art, discovery tours and WilderQuest.
• WilderQuest Wildlife Scouts event at Dorrigo National Park an exciting new 2-hour ranger-guided quest for children to search for native wildlife in the rainforest.
• The South Coast Volcano Tour to various South Coast Parks, a fully catered all-day tour aboard a 22-seater coach with a NSW National Parks Discovery expert
• Cinema in the Sky in the Camp Precinct of Scheyville National Park.

For more information on Parks Week activities in NSW National Parks, visit: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parksweek.

Ms Parker said NSW will host one of the world's biggest environmental forums in November, which sets the conservation direction for some of the most valuable places on the planet – world parks.

The IUCN World Parks Congress will be hosted in Sydney from 12 – 19 November 2014. More information can be found at: www.worldparkscongress.org.au.

Media: Jacqueline Cope-Williams 0438 759 650