Natural Heritage
The charter of The National Trust of South Australia is to conserve natural and cultural heritage for the people of South Australia. The Trust has had an active interest in nature conservation since its inception in 1955. It was formed to help protect the Adelaide Hills Face Zone from development and some of the first properties donated to the Trust were nature reserves.
Since then the National Trust has become responsible for a total of 29 reserves.
- Engelbrook Reserve
- Fraser Reserve
- HK Fry Reserve
- Malcolm Wicks Reserve
- Nurrutti Reserve
- Roachdale Reserve
- Sandison Reserve
- Watiparinga Reserve
Fleurieu Peninsula
Kangaroo Island
- Zelling Reserve
Mid North
- Burra Mine Site Grasslands
Yorke Peninsula
- Agery Reserve
- Mulbura Park Reserve
- Rocky Bend Reserve
Limestone Coast
- Mary Elizabeth McArthur
- Sheriff Reserve
Murraylands
- Lenger Reserve
Riverland
- Bery Bery Reserve
- Cadell Reserve
- Cave Cliff Reserve
- DB Mack Reserve
- Herons Bend Reserve
- Loveday Reserve
- Margaret Dowling Reserve
- Memdelbuik Reserve
- Overland Corner Wetland Reserve
- Wilabalangaloo Reserve
- Woolmer Reserve
The conservation value of many of these areas has increased dramatically following widespread land clearance for agriculture.
The National Trust manages these reserves to conserve their biodiversity. They contain:
- a valuable diversity of plant communities.
- a number of rare and threatened species.
- sites of geological and of Aboriginal significance.
Thirteen of the reserves have Heritage Agreements awarded.
Eleven Riverland nature reserves are included in the Bookmark Biosphere.
The management of these reserves is overseen by the Natural Heritage Manager through a volunteer network and is funded by:
- membership subscriptions to the National Trust of South Australia.
- donations and bequests.
- State and Federal Government Grants.
- sponsorship.
A sound reputation in nature conservation in South Australia has been established by the National Trust through its involvement in:
- active restoration programs within its reserve system.
- scientific documentation.
- education and community programs.
- advocacy.
Getting involved:
Volunteer working bees are held at most reserves during the year. Volunteers assist in restoring bushland by removing weeds and pests, putting up fencing where necessary and monitoring vegetation diversity and health.
The National Trust of South Australia follows the Minimum Disturbance Approach when working in bushland.
For more information download our Volunteer Working Bee timetable or contact the Natural Heritage Manager on 8202 9200.