The Department of Parks and Wildlife protects and conserves the State’s natural environment on behalf of the people of Western Australia.

The department was established on 1 July 2013, when the former Department of Environment and Conservation was split into the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Enviroment Regulation, and is in the portfolio of the Minister for Environment.

Its key responsibilities include conserving biodiversity and managing the State’s national parks, marine parks and other reserves, which cover a total area of more than 27 million hectares. Western Australia has 100 national parks and 13 marine parks with a diverse array of landscapes and seascapes, from coral reefs and tall forests to deep gorges and open plains of wildflowers. Parks and Wildlife also manages two of the world’s greatest long distance trails: the 1000 kilometre Bibbulmun Track for walkers, and the 1000 kilometre Munda Biddi Trail for cyclists.

The department is also responsible for fire preparedness and pest animal and weed control over 89 million hectares of unallocated Crown land and unmanaged reserves.

The department provides support to the Marine Parks Reserves Authority and the Conservation Commission (which will be replaced by a single authority named the Conservation and Parks Commission) to carry out its functions, which are integral to the department achieving its vision and mission.

The department contributes to national and international programs through national Ministerial Councils, the Natural Heritage Trust and other national programs, the work of organisations such as the IUCN (the World Conservation Union), and to the implementation of international conservation treaties in WA.

It employs people with world-class scientific, policy, land and marine management, visitor services and educational skills.