Eurilla Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eurilla Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Eurilla Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Stirling |
| Established | 22 September 1977 |
| Area | 7 hectares (17 acres) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Eurilla Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It's like a nature reserve, set aside to keep its unique plants and animals safe. You can find it in the suburb of Crafers, which is part of the Adelaide Hills.
The park is about 11 kilometers (7 miles) south-east of Adelaide, the capital city. It's also close to the town of Stirling, just 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) north of its center.
About Eurilla Conservation Park
Eurilla Conservation Park was officially created on 22 September 1977. It was set up under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. This law helps protect important natural places in South Australia.
The park covers an area of about 7 hectares (17 acres). That's roughly the size of 10 football fields! It's located east of the Mount Lofty Summit Road. It sits about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) south of the top of Mount Lofty. The park also shares its northern border with the Cleland Conservation Park.
Unique Plants and Habitat
Eurilla Conservation Park is very special because of its amazing natural features. In 1980, experts described its main highlight: a rare and undisturbed bog. A bog is a type of wetland, like a very wet, spongy area.
Rare Ferns
This bog is home to some very important plants. You can find a thick mat of the rare coral fern (Gleichenia microphylla) here. There's also a large group of mature king fern (Todea barbara). The king fern is an endangered species in South Australia, meaning it's at risk of disappearing. The ferns in Eurilla are some of the best examples in the whole state.
Surrounding Forest
The bog is surrounded by an open forest of Eucalyptus obliqua trees. Below these tall trees, there are shrubs like Exocarpos cupressiformis, Banksia marginata, and Pultenaea daphnoides. The ground is covered with many different types of herbs, grasses, and other small plants.
Natural Environment
The park is very natural and hasn't been disturbed much by people. You'll see many fallen logs that are slowly decaying, adding to the rich soil. There's also a lot of natural leaf litter on the forest floor. The park is surrounded by native plants on three sides, helping to keep it wild. This area has not had a bushfire since 1920, which has helped its unique ecosystem grow. It also has very few introduced plant species, meaning most plants are native to the area.
Protection and Recognition
Eurilla Conservation Park is recognized internationally for its importance. It is classified as an IUCN Category III protected area. This means it's considered a "Natural Monument or Feature," highlighting its unique natural elements.
In 1980, the park 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 heritage. While that list no longer exists, it shows how special Eurilla Conservation Park was considered.
