The Role of Environmental

Movements

From the study design

Key Knowledge:
The foundation and role of environmental movements in changing
relationships with outdoor environments, in relation to at least one of
the following:
The Wilderness Society
Australian Conservation Foundation
Victorian National Parks Association
Greenpeace
Gould League.
Key Skills:
describe and analyse the changing relationships with Australian
outdoor environments influenced by historical events and associated
key social and cultural issues
evaluate the role of a specific environmental movement in changing
relationships with outdoor environments

What is an environmental
Movement
Non-government organisations
groups who conduct campaigns on

environmental issues
community based and made up of
volunteers
aim to change government policy and
protect environments.

Introduction: Why do we need to study this?

This area focuses on a time of real change in attitudes amongst

society and the relationships we have with nature.

Brief history:
Little early concern for the environment, although there was a
recognition of pollution particularly in water sources as an
issue. First environmental laws passed.
Naturalists become interested in Australian flora and fauna
throughout the 19th century.
The first National Parks form in the latter part of the 19 th
century. Royal National Park in Sydney, declared in 1879, is the
second such place in the world.
The rise of recreation in the early 20 th century including skiing,
bushwalking, and scouting gives Australians a greater
connection with natural places and leads to the formation of
many protection and preservation groups.

Student task
You are to read the case studies on pages 167/168

(Lake Pedder) and 170-172 (Franklin River):

1. What was the Lake Pedder campaign? What where
2.
3.

4.
5.

the conflicting views/interest parties involved?

Summarise the events of the Franklin river case
study (one paragraph.
List the different environmental interest groups
mentioned and describe in each conflict and what
role they played.
Were they is successful? Why/why not?
Watch Lake pedder campaign video

The Wilderness Society

Established in 1976,
Not-for-profit, non-government organisation.
Funding: is provided by members who pay

membership and regular donations to support our

work. Other funds come from public fundraising,
bequests and donations, and online and retail sales of
campaign merchandise
Role: TWS is a national, community-based,
environmental advocacy organisation whose purpose
is protecting, promoting and restoring wilderness and
natural processes across Australia for the survival and
ongoing evolution of life on Earth

Achievements:
Since its formation in 1976, The Wilderness

Society has achieved the secure protection

of over seven million hectares of wilderness
and other high conservation value areas in
Australia, including:
Kakadu
The Daintree
Kangaroo Island
South West Tasmania
Australia's sub-Antarctic Islands
Victoria's mallee woodlands.

Interesting Facts
The Wilderness Society (TWS) is Australia's

largest national, community-based,

conservation organisation
TWS works through the avenues of public
education and empowerment, advocacy and
negotiation, political lobbying, and desk and
field research.
The Wilderness Society supports indigenous
land and sea rights, and is committed to
proper and detailed consultation with
affected indigenous people

Wilderness Society: Franklin River

Campaign
The Franklin and Lake Pedder campaigned are significant moments in

Australian history developing environmentalism at a national level.

These major campaigns began to influence the way people perceived
nature and the relationships/interactions people have with nature.
The fight between using the land for its resources vs
conservation/sustainability (Huge media attention!)
From these campaigns The Wilderness Society was formed and
now has become the largest national community based conservation
organisation.
Today they are involved in several campaigns:
climate change, Gunns Pulp Mill, Kimberley, Marine and Coastal, River
protection, Coal Seam Gas...

But first, lets take a trip back memory lane and

investigate how it all started on the Franklin River.

The Photo

What you need to know about the

Environmental Movement
Describe this environmental movement, including an

overview of its foundation, aims and achievements

Describe how this environmental movement is

connected with your chosen environment

Evaluate the role this environmental movement has

played in changing relationships with this

environment.

OK NOW LETS ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!

Describe this environmental movement,

including an overview of its foundation, aims
and achievements
This has been covered in previous slides but here is a shortened
description:
Describe- expands on your knowledge, marks usually depends on
amount of marks.
The Wilderness Society (TWS) is Australia's largest national,

community-based, conservation organisation

TWS is a national, community-based, environmental advocacy
organisation whose purpose is protecting, promoting and restoring
wilderness and natural processes across Australia for the survival and
ongoing evolution of life on Earth
Since its formation in 1976, The Wilderness Society has achieved the
secure protection of over seven million hectares of wilderness .
TWS works through the avenues of public education and
empowerment, advocacy and negotiation, political lobbying, and desk
and field research.

Describe how this environmental movement

is connected with your chosen environment
Describe- expands on your knowledge, marks usually depends on amount of
marks.
Lets plan this answer by making a list of their involvement then will describe
it on the next slide.
List of ideas:
Major contribution in campaigning against over irrigation of the Murray
River.
Campaigning in SA- Petitions, online info, Protest-gathering at rivers mouth
Successfully campaigning for Barmah Forrest to become a National Park:
Reduce logging will be reduced by 70% in area, banning of cattle and
logging in the N.P, Protecting the red gums.
Successfully campaigning alongside Victorian National Parks Association to
protect the internationally important River Red Gums and allowing joint
management of the Millewa Forrest by the Yorta Yorta Nation

Describe how this environmental movement

is connected with your chosen environment
Describe:
TWS is connected to Barmah Forrest and the
surrounding areas as they have been a major
contributor alongside the National Parks Association
in successfully developing four National Parks
alongside the Murray River. They have used several
different methods such as protests, development of
postcards, petitions, community gatherings and
internet communication to gain community support
and change government policy. TWS involvement will
contribute to the conservation of the iconic river , the
river red gum trees, cease cattle grazing inturn
minimise compaction of the soil and habitat
destruction as well as promoting and restoring the
indigenous history of the area with the joint

Evaluate the role this environmental

movement has played in changing
relationships with this environment.
Key words: Evaluate, changing relationships, this environment
Evaluate: a response that provides reasons why something has
occurred and gives a position (effective/ not effective) based on
pros and cons.
Changing relationships: how has it changed perceptions,
interactions and impacts
This environment: Make clear references to the chosen environment
Step 1: Outline a position: A positive or negative impact?
Step 2: How TWS has encouraged positives impacts on the

environment
Step 3: How TWS has impacts changed some interactions
Step 4: How TWS is/will change perceptions of the area

Evaluate the role this environmental

movement has played in changing
relationships with this environment.
The TWS alongside the NPA and State Governments have and will continue to

make positive changes to users relationships with the Barmah National Park.
Relationships with Barmah N.P. will change for the positive as TWS has influenced
users to have less impact on the environment. There already has been less
compaction of the soil, erosion of banks, habitat destruction and an overall
increase in vegetation cover by influencing the State Governments to cease cattle
grazing and logging in the area.
Interactions in the Barmah area will change as roads will be closed that used to be
available for 4wd and dirt bikes and a larger focus will be put on conservation and
softer recreational activities. As mentioned earlier logging and cattle grazing has
been stoped and the Yorta Yorta people have been welcomed back to join in the
decision making processes and conservation interactions of the area.
This movement will encourage people to change their perception from the past
that Barmah was seen as a resource and adversary. People will begin to move to
a more conservative perception of the land, seeing it as an area of iconic history,
national beauty and overall appreciating the life and aesthetics of the area.

Previous Exam Question

Evaluate two ways in which environmental

movements such as the Franklin or Pedder

have shaped human relationships with the
Australian environment. (4 marks)
You could answer his the same as before but

lets look at it from a more National level as it

asks with the Australian Environment. Not
this environment Barmah.

Possible answer suggestions:

Perceptions:

People are now much more aware of environmental issues because of TWS national
involvement. There has been a change in the perception of the environment,
becoming a major political issue governments are taking notice of the communities
changing perceptions and environmental issues can affect the way people act and
vote.
Interactions:

Conservation groups are now larger, organised groups with a broad range of issues
rather than just single issue groups with local focus.
People are now prepared to get organised and stand up for environments they know
and even those they dont know.
Impacts:

Conservation groups have led to many positive outcomes for the environment
protection of areas and native species, regeneration of areas, tree planting, weed
removal.
You could use your knowledge and specific examples of TWS and the Franklin/pedder

campaign.
Students should discuss two major points in relation to human relationships with the
natural environment and how it has changed due to the growth of the conservation
movement. 2 marks for each point if well discussed.

Student task
1. What management of public land in Victoria occurs?
2. What constitutes a National Park?
3. The National Parks Act has a set of criteria that

needs to be met if an area is to be protected, what

are they?
4. Describe how overtime our relationship has
changed with outdoor environments?
5. How is someone's view and lifestyle in regards to
the outdoors different if they are from an urban
(city) environment compared to rural?
6. Why are environmental groups important, what do
they do?

Established in 1952,
Not-for-profit, non-government organisation.
Funding: is provided by members who pay

membership and regular donations to support our

work. Other funds come from public fundraising,
bequests and donations, and online and retail
sales of campaign merchandise
Vision
We share a vision of Victoria as a place with
a diverse, secure and healthy natural
environment cared for and appreciated by
all

Mission
The VNPA is Victoria's leading nature conservation
organisation. VNPA is an independent, non-profit,
membership-based group, which exists to protect
Victoria's unique natural environment and biodiversity
through the establishment and effective management
of national parks, conservation reserves and other
measures. We will achieve our vision by facilitating
strategic campaigns and education programs,
developing policies, through hands-on conservation
work, and by running bushwalking and outdoor
activity programs which promote the care and
enjoyment of Victoria's natural heritage

Achievements - A history of success

In 1952, when the VNPA was formed, Victoria had just 13 national parks
and no National Parks Act. Today, largely due to the VNPA's efforts, Victoria
has 45 national parks, 13 marine national parks, 11 marine sanctuaries and
numerous other parks protected under the National Parks Act.
In May 1990, the Victorian National Parks Association VNPA celebrated a
significant victory for wilderness - the protection of the Sunset Country and
Big Desert in Victoria's Mallee country through the declaration of new
national parks and wilderness reserves. The three-year campaign led to the
addition of 856,000 hectares to the existing reserve system, taking the
total area in the Mallee now protected to over 1,000,000 hectares.
VNPA co-ordinated the campaign to stop the State Government and
developers from building a new downhill ski resort on Mt Stirling (northeast
Victoria) linked by gondola to the nearby Mt Buller resort. Mt Stirling is a
very popular 'wilderness' cross-country ski and bushwalking destination
and many people from all sides of the political spectrum were opposed to
the proposed development

Achievements - A history of success

Through extensive work the VNPA influenced the recommendation to
the Government that the ski development not proceed on
environmental and economic grounds. In early 1997 the Government
backed away from the development, declaring that Mt Stirling would
remain a nature-based destination, and that no new downhill ski
proposal should be considered there for at least 15 years.
In 2010, after years of persistent work by the VNPA, the Victorian
Government established almost 100,000 hectares of new River Red
Gum national parks in northern Victoria.
In recent years the VNPA was behind the successful campaign to
create a world first system of marine national parksthat collectively
protects 5% of Victoria's coastal waters.
VNPA was also instrumental in ensuring that the Victorian Government
ended licensed cattle grazing in Victoria's magnificent Alpine National
Park.

How they achieve this - What they do

The VNPA is the leading voice for nature conservation in Victoria, and
meets regularly with heads of government agencies and State Government
ministers. Generous philanthropic support from the community gives us the
capacity to make a real difference to nature conservation in Victoria.
We are currently working towards increasing the protection of Victoria's
marine and coastal environment, as well as endangered native grasslands.
We are also part of initiatives to protect remnant native vegetation and
biodiversity on a landscape scale across Victoria as the leading member of
theVictoria Naturally Alliance. We are also asking for greatly increased
resources to ensure successful management of ournational parks and
reserves in the face of climate change.
We educate the community, industry and government on conservation
issues by actively encouraging community involvement in conservation
and appreciation of nature and national parks through community
education work.

How they achieve this - Community focus

The VNPA runs the largestbushwalking and activitiesprogram in Victoria,

including walking, canoeing and cycling. We also runWalk, Talk and

Gawk- rambles with an expert naturalist guide.
The Association provides services to more than 3000 members and hosts
a Friends Network for more than 200 "Friends of" parks groups
throughout Victoria involved in tree planting, weed control, walk track
planning and other activities.
We run theNature Watch, program which monitors and provides input to
park management and planning, andReef Watch,a marine community
monitoring program for scuba divers.
The VNPA has also produced many books on conservation issues in
Victoria as well as the popular "in flower" field guides and "discovering
our parks" guides. A new book 'Life on the rocky shores', has recently
been published.
Victoria's parks and unique ecosystems face threats on a number of
fronts, and VNPA is at the forefront of efforts to counter these threats.

What you need to know about the

Environmental Movement VNPA
DESCRIBE this environmental movement,

including an overview of its foundation, aims and

achievements
DESCRIBE how this environmental movement is

connected with your chosen environment

EVALUATE the role this environmental movement

has played in changing relationships with this

environment.
OK NOW LETS ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!

Describe this environmental movement,

including an overview of its foundation, aims
and achievements
This has been covered in previous slides but here is a shortened description:
Describe expands on your knowledge, marks usually depends on
amount of information provided. A couple sentences are needed.
The VNPA is Victoria's leading nature conservation organisation.
VNPA is an independent, non-profit, membership-based group, which

exists to protect Victoria's unique natural environment and

biodiversity through the establishment and effective management of
national parks, conservation reserves and other measures
In 1952, when the VNPA was formed, Victoria had just 13 national
parks and no National Parks Act. Today, largely due to the VNPA's
efforts, Victoria has 45 national parks, 13 marine national parks, 11
marine sanctuaries and numerous other parks protected under the
National Parks Act
VNPA has secured the protection of almost 100,000 hectares of new
River Red Gum national parks in northern Victoria
VNPA works through the avenues of public education and
empowerment, advocacy and negotiation, political lobbying, desk and
field research & community based activities

Describe how this environmental movement is

connected with your chosen environment
Describe expands on your knowledge, marks usually depends on
amount of information provided. A couple sentences are needed.
Lets plan this answer by making a list of their involvement then will
describe it on the next slide.
List of ideas:
Major contribution in campaigning for the Nation Parks in Victoria. National
Parks Act passed after VNPA established which protects areas of public land
that satisfy its criteria. Grampians National Park is one such area.
The VNPA provides services to more than 3000 members and hosts a
Friends Network for more than 200 "Friends of" parks groups throughout
Victoria involved in tree planting, weed control and walk track planning.
Friends of Grampians Gariwerd is one such group they are involved with.

Describe how this environmental movement is

connected with your chosen environment
Describe:
The VNPA have been a major contributor in successfully
campaigning for the establishment of National Parks and the
National Parks Act, which protects public areas such as the
Grampians National Park, located in Victorias West. They have
used several different methods such as protests, development
of postcards, petitions, community gatherings and internet
communication to gain community support and change
government policy. The VNPAs involvement in protection &
conservation of unique Victorian environments, helps maintain
and improve areas such as those listed above. This was noted
on our experience to the Grampians region when we saw the
work the Friends of Grampians Gariwerd had recently
completed with weeding in the area. This illustrated the
commitment the VNPA have towards Victorian environments
as they host, support and provide services to the Friends of
network who do weed control, tree planting and other

Evaluate the role this environmental

movement has played in changing
relationships with this environment.
Key words: Evaluate, changing relationships, this
environment
Evaluate: a response that provides reasons why something has
occurred and gives a position (effective/ not effective) based on
pros and cons.
Changing relationships: how has it changed perceptions,
interactions and impacts
This environment: Make clear references to the chosen
environment
Step 1: Outline a position: A positive or negative impact?
Step 2: How VNPA has encouraged impacts on the environment
Step 3: How VNPA changed the interactions with the environment
Step 4: How VNPA is/will/has changed perceptions of the

environment

Evaluate the role this environmental movement

has played in changing relationships with this
environment.
The VNPA have and will continue to influence, in a positive way, peoples

relationships with the Western Victoria region and the specific areas within it
including, Grampians National Park.
Relationships with the Grampians and surrounding areas will change for the
positive as the VNPA influences users to protect, conserve and better manage
the unique environments located within it. The continual growth and work of the
friends of network are evidence of positive impacts within the region.
Interactions in the Grampians region have and will continue to change as
community awareness about the significance of the unique environments found
there keep on growing. Also as mentioned earlier, the continued support of the
friends of network improves peoples awareness about the importance of
looking after the unique environments by weeding and planting trees.
The VNPA will encourage people to change their perception from the past that
the Grampians region was seen as a resource and adversary. People will begin
to move to a more conservative perception of the land, seeing it as an area of
iconic history, national beauty and overall appreciating the life and aesthetics of
the area.
Overall, the VNPAs role in the Grampians region has and will continue to change
relationships from those that represent Worthship to one that more reflects
Kinship.

Previous Exam Question

Name an environmental movement that you have

studied.
Explain why this movement originated. 2 marks
Outline two significant developments related to this
movement since its origin. 4 marks
Identify a view held by this movement about natural
environments. 1 mark
Describe a method that this movement has used to
promote its views about natural environments. 2 marks
Evaluate the effectiveness of this method. 2 marks
Discuss the role of this environmental movement in
changing human relationships with Australian
environments. 3 marks
Total 14 marks

Possible answer suggestions:

Perceptions:

People are now much more aware of environmental issues because of TWS national
involvement. There has been a change in the perception of the environment,
becoming a major political issue governments are taking notice of the communities
changing perceptions and environmental issues can affect the way people act and
vote.
Interactions:

Conservation groups are now larger, organised groups with a broad range of issues
rather than just single issue groups with local focus.
People are now prepared to get organised and stand up for environments they know
and even those they dont know.
Impacts:

Conservation groups have led to many positive outcomes for the environment
protection of areas and native species, regeneration of areas, tree planting, weed
removal.
You could use your knowledge and specific examples of TWS and the Franklin/pedder

campaign.
Students should discuss two major points in relation to human relationships with the
natural environment and how it has changed due to the growth of the conservation
movement. 2 marks for each point if well discussed.