Wetlands

Wetlands are the kidneys of our ecosystems and are haven for a vast diversity of birds, amphibians and fish species.

The rapid loss of these areas in Australia has caused a steep decline in waterfowl species including the now threatened Freckled Duck, White pygmy Goose and Magpie Goose.

Like giant sponges, freshwater wetlands soak up water and nutrients, releasing them gradually and regulating their flow across the land surface. The abundance of both these resources makes wetlands important refuges for plants and animals in the harsh Australian environment. Plants that grow in wetlands have various features such as specialised leaves, stems and roots. They include a range of shrubs, sedges, grasses and herbs of which some are specialised submerged, floating and emergent forms.

Forested wetlands grow along rivers and streams and on lake shores. Ever-changing water levels are the key to their unique ecology.

Saline wetlands are those that grow in salty soils, including saltmarshes, mangroves, seagrass meadows and inland salt pans. With its unique challenges to plants and animals, saltwater wetlands are home to a unique range of species specialised on salty habitats.

Ephemeral wetlands, those which dry out periodically, feature a unique ecology and provide temporary habitat especially for migrating birds.

For more than 37 years the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife has fought to conserve the last remaining wetland systems in Australia. We have bought wetlands properties to protect them within the public reserve system. We have funded reserach into the ecology of different types of wetlands to ensure their long-term protection.

Yarrahapinni Wetlands

In 2007 the Foundation has focused much of its efforts on the restoration of this significant wetland on the Macleay River on the NSW north coast. Much of this wetland, pictured above, had been drained in the past to allow for agriculture. The Foundation is working to reverse the damage that was done more than 20 years ago, and soon the old floodgates will be opened and the land will be returned to its natural aquatic state.

To enable the return the area to what was once a highly productive fishery, we purchased much of the drained land and work with the local bodies and experts to gradually remove the flood gates and let the wetland ecosystem reestablish itself.

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Towra Point Wetland

Every summer, more than 30 different species of migratory birds take on their incredible journeys to Towra Point from as far north as the Arctic. The wetlands are of national and international significance and provide a suitable breeding ground for the endangered Little Tern who migrates here from Japan.
The reserve also boasts the largest and most diverse estuarine wetland complex remaining in the Sydney region. It is listed under the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and is subject to migratory bird agreements with China and Japan.

Located at the mouth of the Georges River in Botany Bay, the reserve contains half of Sydney’s remaining mangroves and the biggest saltmarsh habitat in the Sydney region. It also includes open woodlands, sandy beaches and wide expanses of tidal mudflats and seagrass beds.

The abundance of birds attract great number of bird viewers in return, posing both an opportunity to raise awareness of the plight of some of these threatened species, as well as a risk for unintentional destruction of vital habitat.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, Caltex Refineries, P&O Ports and artist Robyn Collier put funding towards a viewing platform at Quibray Bay that makes birdwatching more comfortable for both birds and people.

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Mother of Ducks Lagoon Nature Reserve near Armidale

Black swans and black ducks are some of over 87 species of birds recorded in the reserve. Black-winged Stilts, Marsh Sandpipers and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers now dominate with the most significant visitor being the migratory Japanese or Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii.

Mother of Ducks Lagoon also provides habitat for the endangered Yellow Spotted Bell Frog Litoria castenea and the Peppered Frog Litoria piperata. The rare woodruff, Asperula chasophyton, grows on the levee bank around the lagoon amongst the more dominant tall spike-rush, common pondweed, Australian sweet grass and the insectivorous bladderwort.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife funded extensive reserach into the ecology of this significant wetland through a bequest from the late Eulie Maisie Weeney Sandrey.

The diversity of species found in this rare upland wetland was reason for the Mother of Ducks Lagoon to be listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act as part of an endangered ecological community encompassing 30 wetland areas. The research will also underpin Neil’the nomination of the Mother of Ducks lagoon for RAMSAR listing, which would grant it protection as a wetland of international importance.

Just up the road from Mother of Ducks is Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve a wetland purchased by the Foundation after it funded a two year study of the ecology of the New England wetlands. Gifted to the NPWS in 1979 it is already listed as a RAMSAR site.

For Mother of Ducks to join the list would be a fitting memorial to Eulie Sandrey whose wish was to preserve our wetlands for the future.

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