The parks contain a high diversity of vegetation communities, a number of endemic plant species and core habitat for a range of threatened animals, including the nationally threatened silver sword lily and the critically endangered Bellingen River snapping turtle. The parks also contain several sites sacred to the Thunggutti, Anaiwan and Gumbaynggirr peoples, including Point Lookout and the Burrel Bulai Aboriginal Place.
The plan of management provides for protection of the parks' significant cultural, World Heritage and wilderness values while contributing to the environmental, social and economic wellbeing of local and regional communities. The 2019–20 bushfires had a substantial impact in this area with around 32,000 hectares of the parks being burnt. The plan of management recognises and responds to the impacts of the fires on these parks.
The plan for the New England National Park, Baalijin Nature Reserve and Jobs Mountain Nature Reserve replaces the 1991 plan for New England National Park and incorporates additions to the park and the 2 nature reserves.
