Currency Creek Game Reserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Currency Creek Game Reserve South Australia
IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
Currency Creek Game Reserve Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Goolwa
Established	19 June 1975
Area	1.28 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

The Currency Creek Game Reserve is a special protected area in South Australia. It is located on the southwestern side of Lake Alexandrina, near the towns of Currency Creek and Goolwa North. It is about half a kilometer northeast of Goolwa.

This reserve is a place where nature is looked after, especially for many kinds of waterbirds.

What is Currency Creek Game Reserve?

A game reserve is a type of protected area where wildlife, especially certain animal species, are managed. The main goal of Currency Creek Game Reserve is to protect and manage waterfowl. Waterfowl are birds that live near water, like ducks and geese.

While it is a place for conservation, some activities, like hunting certain types of ducks, are allowed during specific times of the year. This is done under strict rules to make sure the bird populations stay healthy.

Where is it Located?

The Currency Creek Game Reserve covers land in a few different sections. These sections are known as 309, 458, and 425. They are found within the Hundred of Nangkita and the Hundred of Goolwa, which are old land divisions in South Australia.

When Was it Created?

The Currency Creek Game Reserve was officially created on June 19, 1975. It was established under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Initially, only sections 309 and 425 were part of the reserve. Section 458 was added a bit later, on May 27, 1976, making the reserve a bit larger.

A Home for Waterbirds

In 1980, experts described the reserve as a perfect home for many waterbirds. The edges of Lake Alexandrina provide a great habitat for them.

You can find many different species of waterbirds here. These include grebes, crakes, rails, ibis, spoonbills, and various types of ducks.

What Does the Habitat Look Like?

The reserve mainly consists of two small, marshy islands. These islands are located at the mouth of Currency Creek. A large part of the reserve is open water.

However, there are also important areas of specific plants. These include low shrubs like Arthrocnemum species and Atriplex paludosa. There are also areas with tall grasses like Phragmites australis and Typha species. These plants provide shelter and food for the birds.

How is it Protected?

The Currency Creek Game Reserve is classified as an IUCN Category VI protected area. This means it is a protected area where natural resources can be used sustainably. It focuses on long-term conservation while allowing some controlled activities.

In 1980, the reserve was also listed on the Register of the National Estate. This was a list of places in Australia that were important for their natural or cultural value. This list no longer exists, but it showed the reserve's significance at the time.