A new appeal has been launched to generate support for National Trust efforts to conserve, restore and manage its nature reserves in South Australia. Long-term Natural Heritage Committee member and active volunteer bush carer Simon Lewis explains why this endeavour is so important.
The National Trust manages 23 nature reserves across South Australia, representing a variety of ecosystems and encompassing a total area of more than 2,500 hectares. The first was Roachdale Reserve, near Kersbrook, which was gifted in 1955 and formally transferred to the National Trust in 1957. More were quickly added, resulting in 19 of the first 21 National Trust properties being nature reserves.
The importance of the National Trust’s nature reserves needs to be considered in the context of the extensive clearance of native vegetation in the agricultural areas of South Australia until the 1980s, when clearance regulations were introduced. By 1976 regions such as Yorke Peninsula and the Mount Lofty Ranges had lost at least 95% of their native vegetation, with Yorke Peninsula remaining the most cleared part of the state. At that stage, protected areas under the National Parks and Wildlife Act were limited in their coverage, and private initiatives for bushland conservation were rare. The National Trust was a leader in conserving natural heritage well in advance of many other nature conservation programs.
Today, the National Trust’s nature reserves, along with a wide range of other private conservation initiatives, significantly complement the state’s reserves system and help preserve the fragmented biodiversity that we have left. These nature reserves are precious oases for native flora and fauna, including many threatened and rare species. They are also valuable for educational and passive recreational purposes and as sources of propagation material for restoration programs. Many reserves have walking trails, which appeal to bushwalkers and hikers, meandering through stunning bushland backdrops. The health benefits of spending time in the natural world are well established.
Vast numbers of volunteers make a critical contribution to nature conservation in National Trust reserves and other bushland areas through activities such as weed and pest animal control, species monitoring, track and trail maintenance, revegetation and installation of infrastructure. Careful management of native vegetation is essential, particularly bearing in mind that most of the reserves are in highly cleared parts of the state, where the fragmented nature of the landscapes presents particular challenges for vegetation management, exacerbating weed and pest animal control problems. The National Trust’s loyal band of volunteers play a central role in addressing this. The National Trust also has strong working relationships with First Nations people in managing the nature reserves.
These contributions make a huge difference but more resources are needed to support them and help to both care for the reserves and to enhance experiences for visitors. Better infrastructure such as signage, walking trails, shelters and seating are required, and volunteers need tools and personal protective equipment. Money also has to be found to engage contractors for tasks such as weed control in difficult areas that volunteers are unable to access. Funding through federal, state, regional and non-government grants has helped the National Trust to undertake many projects that have improved our nature reserves for future generations, but we cannot rely on this infrequent funding alone.
This is where National Trust members and supporters can help! Any contribution no matter how big or small, once-off or regular, will make a difference, and it does not necessarily have to be financial. A donation may be in-kind, such as volunteering your time to assist in managing a particular reserve or monitoring wildlife. It may be a donation of equipment or infrastructure, such as the seating kindly donated by long-standing National Trust member and volunteer Marcus Beresford at HK Fry Reserve in Crafers West. Your support will be invaluable in helping to maintain this vital network of nature reserves.
Donate now!
To make a donation and find out more about other ways you can assist, visit nationaltrust.org.au/sa/nature-appeal/
Donations can also be posted to The Nature Conservation Appeal, c/o National Trust of South Australia, PO Box 290, North Adelaide SA 5006. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable.
