Black-striped wallaby at Bush Heritage Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld. PHOTO: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX

The figures for threatened species and communities given below are based on our current understanding of the reserves and the vegetation communities and animals that they protect. As our knowledge of each reserve grows, these figures will be adjusted. The terms used here are general and indicate that the species or community is listed as threatened by state and/or national authorities.
Boolcoomatta Reserve, SA – acquired 2006
This unique 63 000 ha reserve was purchased with funds provided by the Nature Foundation SA and the Australian Government’s National Reserve System program. Bush Heritage will own and manage the reserve for the long term. Its ten vegetation communities were either poorly protected or not protected because the vast saltbush plains and grasslands are prized for grazing. Threatened plains-wanderers and thick-billed grass wrens will be safeguarded here and yellow-footed rock wallabies should return once goats and foxes are controlled. Contributes to the protection of: five significant communities and at least three species at risk.
Yarrabee Reserve, WA – purchased jointly with Greening Australia (WA) 2006
This 923 ha reserve is a key acquisition for the Gondwana Link pathway in WA. It lies on the eastern boundary of the Stirling Range National Park and boasts a varied topography from tall marri/jarrah woodlands to low mallee and banksia-rich heathlands. About 600 ha will be revegetated by Greening Australia (WA). Management work 2005/06: revegetation planning. Contributes to the protection of: significant vegetation remnants and an unknown number of species at risk.
Nardoo Hills Reserve, Vic – purchased 2006
At 245 ha, this property will contribute to the protection of some of the most threatened ecosystems in southern Australia. It adjoins the Judith Eardley Reserve and the Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve and will help to safeguard the elevated grassy woodland habitats of many declining woodland bird species. The property is particularly important for the vulnerable hooded robin. Management work 2005/06: management planning, weed control, infrastructure planning, fencing. Contributes to the protection of: four significant communities and six species at risk.
Cravens Peak Reserve, Qld – purchased 2005
This vast property of 233 000 ha lies north of Ethabuka Reserve and the Simpson Desert National Park. It encompasses the transition from the Simpson Desert dune fields through the rocky Toko and Toomba Ranges to the broad grasslands of the Mulligan River headwaters. Its nine ecosystems are home to an abundant and diverse fauna including threatened species such as the mulgara and ampurta. Management work 2005/06: management planning, infrastructure work. Contributes to the protection of: at least sixteen and potentially 24 species at risk.
Monjebup Reserve, WA – purchased 2005 (boundary realignment under way)
These two properties (formerly referred to as the Gondwana Link properties and now amalgamated into one reserve) protect 956 ha of highly diverse remnant bushland in south-west WA. They safeguard a diversity of landforms, natural waterways and many species. They are key properties for the Gondwana Link project that is restoring an extensive corridor of native vegetation throughout the region. Management work 2005/06: management planning, monitoring. Contributes to the protection of: at least five species at risk.
Eurardy Reserve, WA – purchased 2005
This 30 066 ha reserve helps to build a protected habitat corridor between the Kalbarri National Park and the Toolonga Nature Reserve on the central coast of WA. Together these reserves
protect one of the most diverse endemic plant communities on the planet. Over 900 plant species have been recorded at Eurardy, including 38 declared rare plants. Management work 2005/06: feral animal and weed control, infrastructure work, seed collection for propagation. Contributes to the protection of: 44 species at risk.
Judith Eardley Reserve, Vic – purchased 2005
This reserve protects 344 ha and five vegetation communities of conservation significance, including grey-box grassy woodland, herb-rich woodland and mallee. It is a high-quality habitat with good populations of declining woodland birds including the hooded robin, brown treecreeper and diamond firetail. Management work 2005/06: mammal and bird surveys and monitoring, weed control, fencing, track maintenance, feral animal control. Contributes to the protection of: five significant communities and six species at risk.
Reedy Creek Reserve, Qld – donated 2004
This 452 ha reserve abuts the Deepwater National Park in one of the most intensely used and depleted natural environments in eastern Australia. Nine vegetation communities including wetlands lined by paperbarks and livistona palms, and threatened vine forests are safeguarded. Bush Heritage staff assist with revegetation work and monitoring on the adjacent beaches and dunes which are breeding areas for loggerhead and green turtles. Management work 2005/06: flora and fauna surveys, fuel-reduction burns, feral animal and weed control. Contributes to the protection of: at least one significant community and three species at risk.
Ethabuka Reserve, Qld – purchased 2004
This vast reserve of 213 300 ha abuts the Simpson Desert National Park and protects river flood plains, dune systems, clay pans and ephemeral and semipermanent wetland systems of national significance. Most of these ecosystems are not protected in the adjoining reserve. Ethabuka has a remarkable diversity of mammals, birds and reptiles. Management work 2005/06: flora and fauna surveys, feral animal and weed control, fire planning and management. Contributes to the protection of: at least five significant communities and nine species at risk.
Charles Darwin Reserve, WA – purchased 2003
This reserve protects 68 600 ha of york gum, salmon gum, gimlet, and sandplain vegetation in the wheat belt of WA. It is part of a growing area of protected land where fire and feral animal control are being managed on a regional basis. The reserve protects twelve regional ecosystems, and rare and threatened plants continue to be discovered. Management work 2005/06: weed and feral animal control, fire planning and management, soil erosion assessment, infrastructure works. Contributes to the protection of: at least eight significant communities and 22 species at risk.
Chereninup Creek Reserve, WA – purchased 2002
This 877 ha reserve protects some of the most floristically spectacular and globally important land in south-west WA. It is critical to creating the Gondwana Link corridor of protected and restored habitats, and safeguards at least twelve major plant communities and threatened species such as the western whipbird and tammar wallaby. Management work 2005/06: feral animal control, fauna monitoring, track maintenance. Contributes to the protection of: eight significant communities and four species at risk.
Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld – purchased 2001
This 59 000 ha reserve adjoins Carnarvon Gorge National Park. It protects seventeen regional ecosystems, including six that are endangered, in a region that has seen broadscale land clearing. Species diversity is increasing as the habitats recover. Management work 2005/06: fuel-reduction and prescribed burning, feral animal and weed control, fencing of springs, erosion control, flora and fauna surveys. Contributes to the protection of: six significant communities and thirteen species at risk.
Currumbin Valley Reserve, Qld – donated 1999
Although only 4 ha, this regenerating rainforest reserve is highly diverse. Together with the adjoining Nicholl Scrub National Park, the reserve contributes to the protection of a significant area of habitat. Management work 2005/06: maintenance and monitoring. Contributes to the protection of: seven species at risk.
Burrin Burrin Reserve, NSW – donated 1999
This reserve protects 411 ha of escarpment forest in the upper reaches of the Shoalhaven River catchment. It provides habitat for sugar and squirrel gliders and brushtail and ringtail possums. Management work 2005/06: flora and fauna surveys, track maintenance. Contributes to the protection of: three significant communities.
Tarcutta Hills Reserve, NSW – purchased 1999
Tarcutta Hills is a 432 ha reserve of national significance. It protects the largest area of high-quality grassy white box woodland left in Australia and enjoys an unusual richness of species. It provides habitat for nationally threatened turquoise and swift parrots. Management work 2005/06: flora and fauna surveys, weed control, fire planning and management. Contributes to the protection of: one significant community and thirteen species at risk.
South Esk Pine Reserve, Tas – purchased 1998
Located on the banks of the Apsley River on Tasmania's east coast, this 6.8 ha reserve protects the last large stand of the South Esk pine. A Tasmanian endemic, the pine is considered to be vulnerable, with only 10 000 trees remaining. Management work 2005/06: weed control, vegetation monitoring. Contributes to the protection of: one significant community and seven species at risk.
Goonderoo Reserve, Qld – purchased 1998
This 593 ha reserve lies in a region that has been heavily cleared. It protects nine plant communities including brigalow woodlands and native grasslands, both of which are classified as endangered. Over 140 bird species, many snakes and a wide variety of other wildlife are protected here. Management work 2005/06: maintenance of firebreaks, fuel-reduction burns, weed control, infrastructure works. Contributes to the protection of: eight significant communities and seven species at risk.
Friendly Beaches Reserve, Tas – purchased 1997
Fringed by Saltwater Lagoon and the sand dunes of Friendly Beaches, this reserve protects 140 ha of coastal heathland with dry sclerophyll forest, black gum and marsh-plant communities. It retains some of the last examples of natural dune systems in Tasmania. Management work 2005/06: vegetation monitoring. Contributes to the protection of: four significant communities and three species at risk.
Kojonup Reserve, WA – purchased 1996
This 389 ha reserve is an important remnant of wandoo woodland in south-west WA. It protects at least 81 species of native birds and three threatened plant species. It has an intact understorey of herbs, heaths, sedges, orchids and other wildflowers. Management work 2005/06: monitoring, fauna and flora surveys, feral animal control. Contributes to the protection of: one significant community and seven species at risk.
Brogo Reserve, NSW – purchased 1995
At 120 ha, Brogo is one of the largest viable remnants of bushland in the Bega Valley in south-east NSW. It is a haven for native mammals including sugar gliders and long-nosed bandicoots, and many bird species including powerful owls. Management work 2005/06: weed control, monitoring, track maintenance. Contributes to the protection of: four significant communities and seven species at risk.
Fan Palm Reserve, Qld – purchased 1993
Lowland tropical rainforest is one of the most threatened habitats in Australia. This 8.17 ha of fan palm forest adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area was threatened by subdivision. It provides habitat for cassowaries and threatened plant species. Management work 2005/06: feral animal and weed control, fauna surveys, revegetation, track maintenance. Contributes to the protection of: one significant community and 20 species at risk.




Liffey Valley reserves, Tas – acquired 1990 and 2003
Combined, the Liffey River, Drys Bluff and Coalmine Creek reserves protect 261 ha of fern gully, rainforest and wet and dry sclerophyll forest. The reserves lie beneath the Great Western Tiers on the edge of the World Heritage Area and are a haven for wildlife, including pygmy possums and Tasmanian devils. They support the threatened Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and white goshawk. Management work 2005/06: weed control, regular monitoring. Contribute to the protection of: one significant community and two species at risk.