Black Rock Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Rock Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Black Rock Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Orroroo |
| Established | 9 November 1972 |
| Area | 119 hectares (290 acres) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Black Rock Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It's located near the town of Erskine. This park is about 250 kilometers north of Adelaide, the state capital. It is also about 25 kilometers east of Orroroo.
Contents
What is Black Rock Conservation Park?
This conservation park is a place where nature is protected. It covers an area of about 119 hectares. That's roughly the size of 294 football fields! The park was officially created on November 9, 1972. It was set up under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. This law helps protect important natural places in South Australia.
Why is This Park Important?
In 1980, experts said the park was important for a few reasons.
- It has plants that are typical of the area. This means you can see what the natural landscape looked like long ago.
- It is home to many different kinds of birds. This includes the black-backed wren. This bird is now thought to be a type of splendid wren. It was the most westerly place this bird had been seen.
Plants and Animals
The park has a mix of different plants. In 1980, it was described as having a "low woodland." This means it has smaller trees and shrubs.
- The main trees are Casuarina cristata and Myoporum platycarpum.
- You can also find areas with Eucalyptus socialis trees.
- Underneath these trees, there are smaller plants. These include Atriplex species, Kochia sedifolia, and Enchylaena tomentosa.
In 2004, more details about the plants were shared.
- The park has good examples of local plants. These include the Black Oak (Casuarina pauper).
- You can also find Bluebush (Maireana sedifolia).
- Several creek beds run through the park. These creeks have steep banks.
- These banks are perfect nesting spots for birds like Red-back Kingfishers.
- Rainbow Bee-eaters also like to nest there.
How the Park Has Changed
The park's natural condition has been "disturbed" over time. This is mainly because of a long history of grazing. This means animals like sheep or cattle used to eat the plants there. This can change the natural balance of the environment.
Global Recognition
Black Rock Conservation Park is recognized internationally. It is classified as an IUCN Category III protected area. This means it's considered a "Natural Monument or Feature." It's a special type of protected area that is important worldwide.
The park was also once listed on the Register of the National Estate. This was a list of places in Australia that were important for their natural or cultural heritage. This list is no longer used.
