Lightning Swamp Bushland facts for kids
Lightning Swamp Bushland is a special natural area in Noranda, Western Australia, a suburb of Perth. It covers about 71 hectares, which is like 175 football fields! This reserve is full of natural bush and important wetlands.
It is surrounded by roads and a recreation centre. The land is protected as an "A class reserve," which means it is very important for nature and should be kept safe.
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What is Lightning Swamp Bushland?
Lightning Swamp Bushland is a large area of natural bush and wetlands. It is located in Noranda, a suburb of Perth. This special place is protected to keep its plants and animals safe.
Why is it called Lightning Swamp?
The name "Lightning Swamp" comes from the type of rock found there. This rock is called ironstone. Ironstone can attract lightning. The nearby suburb of Malaga also gets its name from an Aboriginal word for ironstone.
For a long time, this place had a very long, official name. But in 2008, it was officially named Lightning Swamp Bushland. This was a request from the local councils, the Cities of Bayswater and Swan.
Wetlands and Waterways
Lightning Swamp Bushland has several important wetlands. Wetlands are areas where water covers the land, like swamps or marshes. They are home to many different plants and animals.
Different Types of Wetlands
One wetland in the north-east always has water. This is because it has a special clay base. It is also a perched wetland. This means its water comes from rain and stays above the groundwater. This type of wetland is quite rare in the Swan Coastal Plain.
Other wetlands in the south-east and south-west are seasonal. This means they fill with water during wet seasons and can dry out at other times.
The Stormwater Drain
A large drain flows through the reserve. This drain helps manage rainwater from the surrounding areas. It is looked after by the Water Corporation. Eventually, this water flows into Bennett Brook.
Protecting the Bushland
Many people work hard to protect and restore Lightning Swamp Bushland. The City of Bayswater and a group called Friends of Lightning Swamp Bushland help look after it.
How the Reserve is Cared For
They have done many things to help the reserve. They put up fences to stop motorbikes and off-road vehicles from damaging the area. They also built about 3.6 kilometres of limestone paths. These paths let people walk or ride bikes through the reserve safely.
They also plant native plants that belong in the area. They work to control weeds that can harm the native plants. They also fight against a plant disease called dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi). This disease can kill many native plants. A special boardwalk was also built next to the wetland. This lets visitors get closer to the water without disturbing the plants and animals.
