Dr Graeme Worboys ‘Flinders Ranges Geo-heritage: Potential World Heritage’

Graeme, from the ANU, will present the core Outstanding Universal Value narrative for the Flinders Ranges that will help to underpin a World’s Heritage nomination under Criteria (viii) geological phenomena.  His presentation will present ancient climates and four attempts at the emergence of animal life on Earth.

Abstract

The South Australian Government is currently working with the Australian Government exploring the potential for nominating the Flinders Ranges as a World Heritage Property.  The Flinders Ranges is the only known location on Earth where there is (effectively) an unbroken stratigraphic record that predates the emergence of animal life and extends through to Cambrian and includes the Cambrian explosion of animal life.  An exceptional record of the emergence of animal life on Earth is presented by the Flinders Ranges sequences. Graeme is currently working with the South Australian Government as a technical adviser on their Flinders Ranges World Heritage project.  This talk will present the Flinders Ranges World Heritage story of the emergence of animal life on Earth.  It will include wild swings in the Earth’s ancient climates; snow ball Earth; extraordinary glacial deposits; an ancient barrier reef system; the very first animal life forms at that ancient reef; the richest known assemblage of Ediacaran fauna on Earth; the first framework reefs created by animals; the first coralaform reefs and the emergence of a rich array of marine life forms in the Cambrian.

Biography

Dr Graeme Worboys is an Adjunct Fellow at the Fenner School, Australian National University and IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Co-Vice Chair, Connectivity Conservation and Mountains. He is a protected area management specialist with 41 years practitioner and policy experience and worked with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for over 27 years as a Park Ranger, Park Superintendent, Regional Manager and Executive Director.  Graeme is lead editor and author of IUCN’s 2015 Protected Area Governance and Management E-Book and IUCN’s 2010 book Connectivity Conservation a Global Guide. His co-authored chapter on the 10 most important ‘commitments’ for Australian protected areas was published in 2014 by David Lindenmayer.  He holds a Science Degree, Master’s Degree and a Doctoral Degree and is a guest lecturer to post-graduate protected area management students at UTAS and third year environmental management students at ANU.  Graeme is a Board Member for the ACT Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Strategic Board, an Australian National Heritage Listed Property.  He provides strategic direction advice for World Heritage property management to UNESCO and IUCN and has worked internationally in protected areas in Brunei, China, India, Nepal, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.