What's working, what's not: the Monitoring and Reporting System for Tasmania's national parks and reserves

This paper describes the Australian State of Tasmania’s management effectiveness Monitoring and Reporting System for national parks and reserves. This jurisdictional performance measurement system is designed to provide all interested parties with reliable factual information and measured evidence about reserve management achievements, progress and challenges. Key features of the system are that it is outcomes-focused, evidence-based, operationally practical, and transparent to the public. The system fosters an organizational culture of measuring and demonstrating the results achieved from investment of funds in reserve management. It encourages an adaptive management approach and supports the management agency to operate as effectively and efficiently as is practicable. Online reporting of quality information about management performance enhances public sector transparency and accountability, and facilitates informed public engagement in sound adaptive management of national parks and reserves. The approaches, methods and tools developed for Tasmania’s Monitoring and Reporting System are potentially suitable for uptake and application elsewhere.