Eurardy

When Bush Heritage bought Eurardy Reserve in 2005, it had an immediate impact on Western Australian conservation. Overnight, the amount of jam and york gum woodlands protected in the Geraldton Sandplain bioregion jumped from less than 1% to 22%.

The decision to buy Eurardy had many other benefits, not the least of which was cementing the protection of part of the Southwest Botanical Province. One of only 34 biodiversity hotspots recognised globally, the province makes up just 0.23% of the Earth's land surface and yet supports 12.6% of its rare and threatened flora.

In fact, the diversity of plant species found in this region outranks that of Australia's tropical rainforests, and its annual wildflower displays attract people from all over the world.

Eurardy Reserve itself, tucked into the northern edge of this biodiversity hotspot, protects over 500 plant species, including at least five nationally endangered or vulnerable plant species, and forms a critical habitat link between Kalbarri National Park and Toolonga Nature Reserve to the north.

All this has been protected thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

What we’re doing

Eurardy has benefited enormously from the generous support of volunteers. Volunteers joined forces with our Reserve Managers to survey malleefowl activity, making a very useful contribution to what we know about this nationally vulnerable species on Eurardy.

It was a red letter day when an active malleefowl mound was found. But even better news was to follow, when some broken eggshell and downy feathers on the active mound's edge were found, indicating a successful hatching.

And the Bungabandi Creek Restoration Project has also benefited from the idea that many hands make light work. With volunteer help, the Reserve Managers have laid brush in key sections of the disturbed creekbed.

This, together with closing a track through the creek, will slow water erosion and re-establish a more natural flow pattern, improving the health of this important ecosystem.

We've also had great success with rabbit control. Rabbit numbers are now so low that there's been some very encouraging natural regeneration. In addition to rabbits, foxes and feral goats are also controlled at Eurardy.

Cultural values

Eurardy Reserve and the area surrounding it is the traditional country of the Nanda people. This area is of strong cultural significance, particularly Bungabandi Creek, where camping areas and artefacts have been identified.