Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) is managing the Green Flag Award®, a standard that is the international mark of quality. The scheme was set up in 1996 to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid down high standards and since then has been introduced to many countries throughout the world. The scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.