INTRODUCTION
This chapter brings together available data on environmental heritage, which, for the purpose of this publication covers nature parks and reserves, zoological parks and aquariums, and botanic gardens. While recent data are available on people's attendance and work involvement in areas of environmental heritage, little exists on the economic activity of the organisations which operate and maintain nature, zoological and botanic parks and reserves.
Apart from details on government funding of these activities, which is collected annually by the ABS, the most recent data on the activity of botanic gardens organisations comes from a survey conducted in 1999-2000. However, it is necessary to go back to 1996-97 for details on organisations responsible for nature parks and reserves and zoological parks and aquariums.
Data from Botanic Gardens, Australia, 1999-2000 (cat. no. 8563.0) and Zoos, Parks and Garden Industry, Australia, 1996-97 (cat. no. 8699.0) is available through the ABS website.