The system of protected sites established for Antarctic terrestrial environments by the Antarctic Treaty is examined - protection of sites is one of the measures available to Contracting Parties to the Treaty for the preservation and conservation of the Antarctic Environment. Protected sites are categorised: site designations are described and weaknesses are identified in terms of site selection criteria, land-use planning concepts, site management, and logistic and political pressures. Emphasis is given to practical remedies for these deficiencies which can be implemented under the Antarctic Treaty. Four options for the future operation of protected sites are discussed. These are (a) to maintain the status quo, (b) to revise selectively existing Treaty provisions, (c) to declare a 'World Park', and (d) to introduce a new protected site classification based on the Biosphere Reserve concept. Such options are not mutually exclusive and emphasise the need for Treaty Parties to take a more positive approach to the setting aside of protected sites and to their management. It is concluded that improvements to the protected site system hinge on parallel development of (a) a conservation strategy linking conservation measures for the. Antarctic terrestrial environment with those for the marine environment, (b) the establishment of an active Antarctic Treaty Secretariat to oversee the implementation and operation of recommendations on nature conservation, and (c) expansion of the Scientific Cormnittee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Secretariat to enable it to be more actively involved in site selection, monitoring, and environmental impact assessment. The system of protected sites established for Antarctic terrestrial environments by the Antarctic Treaty is examined protection of sites is one of the measures available to Contracting Parties to the Treaty for the preservation and conservation of the Antarctic Environment. Protected sites are categorised: site designations are described and weaknesses are identified in terms of site selection criteria, land-use planning concepts, site management , and logistic and political pressures. Emphasis is given to practical remedies for these deficiencies which can be implemented under the Antarctic Treaty. Four options for the future operation of protected sites are discussed . These are (a) to maintain the status quo, (b) to revise selectively existing Treaty provisions, (c) to declare a 'World Park', and (d) to introduce a new protected site classification based on the Biosphere Reserve concept. Such options are not mutually exclusive and emphasise the need for Treaty Parties to take a more positive approach to the s e tting aside of protected sites and to their management. It is concluded that improvements to the protected site system hinge on parallel development of (a) a conservation strategy linking conservation measures for the · Antarctic terrestrial environment with those for the marine environment, (b) the establishment of an active Antarctic Treaty Secretariat to oversee the implementation and operation of recommendations on nature conservation, and (c) expansion of the Scientific Conunittee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Secretariat to enable it to be more actively involved in site selection, monitoring, and environmental impact assessment.