SALLY Spain claims that more national parks

are the answer to wildlife woes but the NSW experience defies that claim.

In NSW more than 50 per cent of the coast is allocated to national parks, nature reserves, wilderness etc. Problem is those reserves have a worse record for wildlife preservation than surrounding private property and state forests which have a proven higher biodiversity.

The reason is simple. While national parks are very good at excluding people they do almost nothing to address the greatest threats to our native flora and fauna: weeds, ferals and fire.

While some areas have to be protected the real answer is not just adding more wasteland to the reserve but rather proper scientificbased management of all our land!

WILL SMITHSON, ELANORA