Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Sandy Biosphere ReserveQueensland |
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 Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve
Location in Queensland
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| Nearest town or city | Hervey Bay |
| Established | 1977 |
| Area | 12,422.16 |
| Visitation | 950,000 (annual estimate) (in 2016) |
| Website | Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve |
| Footnotes | Coordinates |
The Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve is a special natural area in Queensland, Australia. It covers land and coastal waters near Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, and parts of the Fraser Coast Region and Gympie Region. It's a place where people work to protect nature while also allowing people to live and work there.
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About the Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve
This amazing reserve was created in 2009. It's known for its unique natural beauty and important cultural history. The reserve is home to some incredible natural features. These include the Great Sandy Strait, which is a protected wetland, and Fraser Island, a famous UNESCO World Heritage site.
What is a Biosphere Reserve?
A biosphere reserve is a special place recognized by UNESCO. UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. These reserves are chosen to show how people can live and work while also protecting the environment. They have three main goals:
- Protecting nature and wildlife.
- Helping with scientific research and education.
- Supporting local communities in a sustainable way.
Special Features of the Reserve
The Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve is very unique. It includes the largest sand island and coastal sand mass in the world. This means it has huge areas of sand, including Fraser Island.
The reserve is also a volcanic area. The highest point nearby is Mount Mothar, which is about 450 metres above sea level. Six rivers flow through this beautiful reserve.
One of the most amazing things about the Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve is its rainforest. It has the world's tallest and richest rainforest that grows right on sand! This is very rare and makes the area incredibly special.
Who Manages the Reserve?
Many different groups work together to manage the Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve. These groups help make sure the reserve's nature is protected and that people can still enjoy it. Some of the main groups include:
- The Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management Ltd.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland).
- The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
- Local government areas like the Fraser Coast Region and the Gympie Region.
These groups work hard to keep the reserve healthy for both nature and people.
