Forever Nature Fund: Bullock Bridge Appeal

Preserve the symphony of nature: Help us secure a haven for birds and biodiversity.

In 2022, we established the Forever Nature Fund to tackle the ongoing loss of our precious habitats and ecosystems. We aim to realise a nature-positive future where biodiversity is secure, and our life-support system thrives forever. To make our contribution to this vision, we have set ourselves the ambitious target to double our impact to 1 million hectares of protected land (about 1% of South Australia) by 2030—in support of Australia's commitment to protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 by purchasing land with high biodiversity value to create more critical refuges for Australian wildlife.

Habitat loss and the impacts of introduced species have caused the extinction of 62 Australian terrestrial species. Between 2000 and 2017, over 7.7 million hectares of habitat were cleared in Australia. * The compounding impacts of climate change threaten to cause a further decline in Australia's biodiversity, with increasing species and ecological communities listed as threatened across the country.

Recently, internationally renowned scientist and birdwatcher Professor Hugh Possingham brought to our attention a small but highly significant bushland parcel for sale in southeast South Australia. 

The 202-hectare property is located east of Kingston on the Limestone Coast, adjacent to the Mount Scott Conservation Park and on the traditional lands of the Meintangk people. It is part of one of the largest inland blocks of native vegetation in this southern region with very high biodiversity values.

The vegetation is a superb mix of eucalypt and mallee woodlands comprising Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), Blue Gum (E.leucoxylon), Pink Gum (E. fasciculosa), Stringybark (E. arenacea /baxteri), Soap Mallee (E. diversifolia) and Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarinaverticillata) woodlands over a diverse understorey of shrubs, herbs and forbs. 

The Mount Scott region is rich in botanical diversity, with 393 plant species recorded on the Atlas of Living Australia, including 32 terrestrial orchid species. 

Mallee Fowl—Photo by Sputnik

This diversity in plant life makes the area a remarkable bird sanctuary and regionally significant, with the mosaic of habitat types supporting a high degree of species richness. Just imagine the symphony at dawn. During a single day survey in 2021, Hugh recorded 73 unique terrestrial bird species in the area. Of the approximately 140 species recorded in the park, notable bird species include:

• Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata, Vulnerable EPBC)
• Blue-winged Parrot (Neophema chrysostoma, Vulnerable, EPBC)
• White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos, Rare, South Australia)
• Satin Flycatcher (Myiagra cyanoleuca, Endangered, South Australia)
• Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta, Rare, South Australia) 
• Flame Robin (Petroica phoenicea, Vulnerable, South Australia)
• Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella, Rare, South Australia)

The property is also home to a wealth of native mammals and reptiles, including Heath Monitor (Vulnerable, South Australia), Little and Western Pygmy Possum, Silky Mouse, Common Brushtail Possum, Short-beaked Echidna, Bare-nose Wombat and possibly Sugar Gliders.

The high biodiversity values and connectivity to Mount Scott Conservation Park make this an invaluable block of bushland in the regional context. The generosity of two major donors—Hugh Possingham and Phill Cassey, who have each pledged $100k to progress the purchase of this property—has allowed Nature Foundation to secure the property to create our newest nature reserve. 

“I have visited this region many times during my childhood and professional career. This unique area, with its variety of habitats and precious inhabitants, deserves long-term protection.”
— Hugh Possingham.

We are now seeking your support to raise additional funds to contribute to the purchase and begin the survey and monitoring work to further understand the biological diversity present and implement active management to reduce the impact of threatening processes, including predation by foxes and cats, weeds and unsustainable grazing pressure by introduced herbivores such as deer, rabbits and hares.

Learn more about what makes Bullock Bridge so special in this Q&A with Professor Hugh Possingham

Once acquired, our conservation team will:

• Undertake a full reserve audit to inform monitoring programs, including baseline biodiversity surveys.
• Prepare a reserve management plan. 
• Repair and replace fencing to prevent unwanted grazing pressure.
• Develop and implement threat management strategies. 
• Undertake active revegetation and regeneration activities.
• Support successful breeding environments for threatened species.
• Explore additional opportunities, such as creating a threatened flora seed production garden.

Your support will allow us to take action towards supporting biodiversity and maintaining critical refuges for our unique wildlife.

This is an essential step in our ongoing mission to conserve, restore and protect our unique natural landscapes and native wildlife for future generations. We would love you to be part of this journey with us.

We greatly appreciate any and all support you can offer. Every little bit helps.

*Source: DCCEEW 2021 Australia State of the Environment Report.

For Corporate support or Major Gift enquiries, please contact.