Waitpinga Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waitpinga Conservation ParkParawa, South Australia |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Waitpinga Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Yankalilla |
| Established | 1 January 1960 |
| Area | 3 hectares (7.4 acres) |
| Visitation | "very few visitors" (in 2009) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Waitpinga Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It's located about 15 kilometers south of a town called Yankalilla, near a place called Parawa. This park is a safe home for many unique plants and animals.
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Discover Waitpinga Conservation Park
Waitpinga Conservation Park was officially created to protect nature. It was first set up in 1960. Later, in 1972, it became a conservation park under a new law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act. This law helps keep important natural places safe for everyone.
Why is Waitpinga Park Special?
This park is very important because it helps protect a rare plant called the Coral Fern. Imagine a place where special plants have a safe home! The park is dedicated to making sure this fern can grow and thrive.
Plants and Animals You Might See
The park has a beautiful "low open forest." Here, you can find tall stringybark trees and Pink Gum trees. Below these big trees, there's a layer of smaller plants. These include bracken, tea-tree bushes, sedges, and different types of grasses.
If you are lucky, you might spot some amazing animals too! One very special bird that lives here is the Chestnut-rumped heathwren. This bird is considered an endangered species, which means it's very rare and needs our help to survive. The park provides a safe habitat for it.
Waitpinga and the Illawong Swamp
Waitpinga Conservation Park is part of a larger area known as "Illawong Swamp." This swamp is listed as a "wetland of national importance." Wetlands are super important because they act like natural filters for water and provide homes for many different creatures.
Right next to the park, there's a forestry plantation. This is an area where trees are grown for wood. It's managed by a group called ForestrySA.
Protecting Nature for the Future
Waitpinga Conservation Park is classified as an IUCN Category III protected area. This means it's recognized internationally for its importance in protecting natural features. It's like a special badge that shows how valuable this park is for nature conservation.
