Meet our WCPA Australian Focal Points
Updated: Oct 8
This blog post is part of a new series introducing the Australian focal points and leaders of each IUCN Commission.
The IUCN Australian Committee is pleased to introduce the appointed Australian focal points for the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
Dr James Fitzsimons and Dylan Pursche will serve as the Australian liaisons for the World Commission for Protected Areas over the 2026 - 2029 Quadrennium.
If you'd like to get in touch about the WCPA and learn more about upcoming priorities, please reach out to our appointed focal points on wcpa@aciucn.org.au
The virtual door is always open and with the 2027 World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress coming up, it is an exciting time to be a member of the Commission.
Meet the WCPA Australian Focal Points
Dylan Pursche is a Senior Policy Officer in the International Environment & UN Section at the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. He serves as the national focal point for Australia on international bodies, such as IPBES and the IUCN, with further experience in the G20. He has qualifications in both ecology and law and is passionate about public policy. He has varied experience working for private practice, NGOs, the judiciary and now for the public service.
Dr James Fitzsimons is the Senior Advisor, Global Protection Strategies with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). James is also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University and the School of Law, University of Tasmania, with research interests in the fields of protected area policy, practical conservation planning and mechanisms to integrate conservation outcomes on public and private lands. He is co-chair of the IUCN WCPA Privately Protected Areas Specialist Group.
You can contact both James and Dylan to enquire about the WCPA on the email below:
