Flora and Fauna of Inverleigh





About the Inverleigh Flora and Fauna Reserve

The Inverleigh Flora and Fauna Reserve lies between the townships of Inverleigh and Teesdale, two kilometres northwest of Inverleigh. 1050 hectares of remnant grassy woodland, the reserve is a tiny fragment of the landscape that existed in the dry southern inland areas prior to white settlement. Less than one percent of grasslands/woody grasslands remain in Victoria today, making them one of the most threatened ecosystems in the state.

Aboriginals (Kooris) inhabited this area for  about 40,000 years prior to European settlement. Refer to Inverleigh History. White settlers first reached the district around 1830, and the area was established as a firewood reserve in 1849. The local inhabitants used the reserve for firewood and farmers grazed their stock in the reserve during droughts until it was declared a Flora and Fauna Reserve in 1988. In 1970, part of the reserve was removed and a golf course established. At various times over the years, the local tip for Inverleigh was situated within the reserve, Sugar gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) plantations for the supply of firewood were established and gravel pits opened.

The reserve is rich in both fauna and flora, with ten species of native animals, ten species of bats, more than 130 species of birds, eight species of frogs and eight species of reptiles having been recorded in the reserve. More than 220 native plant species have been recorded in the reserve, including 36 species of orchids.

Tiger Orchid

Slender Sun Orchid

The Park is managed by Parks Victoria. The Friends group was established in 1990 to foster enjoyment of the reserve and help Parks Victoria maintain and protect the reserve.

What is the Friends Group?

The Friends of the Inverleigh Flora and Fauna Reserve is a group of people from diverse backgrounds with a common interest in preserving the quiet, natural environment of the reserve, and in ensuring that this opportunity will be available for future generations.

The broad objectives of the Friends Group are:

To provide support and to foster public awareness of the Reserve.

To assist with special projects in the reserve.

To bring into contact people with a common interest in the reserve.

To aid in the protection of the indigenous flora and fauna of the reserve.

The Friends group conducts several fun activities each year. These include activities such as an "Owl Prowl" in late summer/autumn and a Wildflower Walk in mid-spring.

Other activities are a boneseed (plus other weeds) pull in winter, rubbish clean-ups and tree planting.

All activities end with billy tea and damper (or other treats depending on season) and a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

 

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