We are pleased to share that thanks to your fundraising efforts through our 2024 Vital Work Appeal, the causeway at Watchalunga has been repaired, returning access to the southern part of the reserve.

Before its acquisition by Nature Foundation and establishment as a nature reserve in 2014, Watchalunga was used as farmland for grazing cows. Previous owners had constructed a simple causeway across the water passage to allow access to the southern section of the property.

June 2025 marks a significant milestone—15 years since the transformation of the former pastoral property, Witchelina, into a nature reserve. This historic event, in 2010, saw Witchelina become the largest property to be incorporated into Australia's National Reserve System, a feat made possible through the Federal Government's Caring for Our Country Program.

We are delighted that the South Australian Government has recently passed the landmark Biodiversity Act, a key piece of legislation that will protect native flora, fauna, and ecosystems and conserve, restore, and enhance biodiversity.

The new Biodiversity Act is the first Australian environment law in years to be developed from the ground up, consolidating biodiversity protections that were previously spread across multiple legislation. Nature Foundation was involved in providing feedback during its development, and applauds the Department for Environment and Water’s commitment to consultation with a variety of key stakeholders throughout the process. Nature Foundation members also play a vital role in demonstrating their commitment to nature and the environment, which supports our contributions to government policy.

In this inaugural webinar for the Conservation Conversations webinar series, Dr Wendy Telfer provided an overview of the ReBird the Ranges program, its aims and Action Plan, followed by Dr Dragos Moise, who shared a summary of the restoration work that has occurred at Para Woodlands Nature Reserve, and the resulting benefits for Mount Lofty Ranges threatened woodland bird species. Dr Lucy Clive then presented an outline of the habitat restoration works at Watchalunga Nature Reserve that support the local Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren population, which is believed to be the last stronghold for this threatened subspecies.

You can watch the webinar recording here.

Welcome to the winter edition of Nature Matters. We are excited to share our latest updates with you.

It has been a robust start to the year, as you will see with a raft of updates from across the nature reserve network, including a look back at 15 years since the establishment of Witchelina Nature Reserve.

This edition also celebrates a diversity of people involved with Nature Foundation, including this year's research grant and Artist Residency Program recipients. You will also read about the various ways Nature Foundation volunteers support our work across the reserves, in the office, and at events.