In late May 2026, Nature Foundation volunteers joined Reserve Management staff for a five-day assignment at Hiltaba Nature Reserve on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, on the traditional lands of the Gawler Ranges peoples from Barngarla, Kokatha, and Wirangu countries. The activity was part of our long-term efforts to restore habitat and return the 78,000-hectare former pastoral station to a healthier, more connected sanctuary for native wildlife by removing old internal fencing.

Hiltaba was acquired by Nature Foundation in 2012, and the task of removing the extensive network of old internal fencelines is ongoing. It is an important part of our conservation work on the nature reserve, which exists within an almost 750-kilometre east-west wildlife corridor across the Eyre Peninsula.

Restoring connectivity helps native animals move more freely across the landscape, including the nationally Vulnerable Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies (Petrogale xanthopus), which are dispersing back into areas from which they were once locally extinct, as the population continues to recover due to consistent conservation actions by Nature Foundation staff and volunteers.

Removing unnecessary internal fences not only contributes to restoring a more natural environment but also reduces the risk of wildlife being injured or trapped in old wire and lessens weed buildup.

4,584 metres of fenceline, comprising approximately 260 fence posts and 19,000 metres of wire, were removed from several key parts of the reserve.

The team mapped removal locations and progress using mobile field apps to monitor actions and help inform future restoration work.

128 hours of active work were logged by the volunteers involved, with a contributed value of $6,464* 

*Based on the official hourly replacement rate for volunteers in SA, set by Volunteering SA&NT ($50.50).

Habitat restoration activities at Hiltaba, including fence removal, are helping create a safer, more connected landscape for wildlife and advancing the reserve toward its restored future state.

Huge thanks to our volunteers whose time, energy, and enthusiasm in activities make these results possible. Their support is critical to ongoing conservation efforts across Nature Foundation's nature reserve network, and this hands-on contribution has a meaningful and lasting impact on our natural environment.

Learn more about and register your interest in becoming a Nature Foundation Volunteer here.


Photos by Hannah Edwards and Jem Shimmield.