![DES FEATURED image](https://wildlife.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DES-FEATURED-image.png)
The Department of Environment and Science with its highly regarded Director General, Jamie Merrick, and various Deputy Director Generals is welcomed by Wildlife Queensland.
Wildlife Queensland gives the Government credit where credit is due, and believes the initiative to establish the Department of Environment and Science deserves a round of applause on behalf of our wildlife.
The Newman Government in its charge to take a wrecking ball to the environment relocated marine and national parks from the Department of Environment and Resource Management to a recreational and sport focussed department. Since these parks were removed, Wildlife Queensland has been advocating for their return – as well as the inclusion of the Queensland Herbarium – to an environmentally focussed department to facilitate the conservation and protection of our biodiversity.
The Palaszczuk Government has taken this even further, capturing the Queensland Museum and Science Centre within the new department. This well thought through, creatively structured department with its highly regarded Director General, Jamie Merrick, and various Deputy Director Generals is welcomed by Wildlife Queensland.
The Department of Environment and Science is responsible for environmental planning and protection policy, pollution and waste management, marine parks, national parks and other protected areas, science strategy and arts policy and programs. Captured within this portfolio is the Queensland Herbarium and the Queensland Museum, and rightly so.
Wildlife Queensland is of the view that the establishment of this Department clearly demonstrates that the Palaszczuk Government cares for the environment and its wildlife, and has taken practical steps through amalgamating agencies charged with this responsibility to facilitate a more effective and efficient outcome for the benefit of our wildlife.