Wharminda Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wharminda Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Wharminda Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Wharminda. |
| Established | 7 November 1985 |
| Area | 2.68 km2 (1.0 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Wharminda Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia, Australia. It is located on the Eyre Peninsula, near the town of Wharminda. This park is about 95 kilometers north of Port Lincoln and 30 kilometers south of Lock.
Contents
What is Wharminda Conservation Park?
Wharminda Conservation Park was officially created on 7 November 1985. It was set up under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. The park's main purpose is to protect the unique plants that grow there. It covers an area of 2.68 square kilometers. The park's name comes from nearby places, like the Wharminda Railway Siding.
Why is This Park Important?
The park was created to save the natural plants and trees in the area. It has many mallee trees and shrubs. These plants are important for the local wildlife. A special rule for this park is that no mining can happen there. This helps keep the natural environment safe.
Protecting Special Plants
As of 2007, Wharminda Conservation Park is home to several important plant species. Many of these plants are rare or endangered.
Unique Plant Communities
The park contains a special type of shrubland. One important plant group is the "mallee community." This group is mostly made up of a tree called Eucalyptus peninsularis. This mallee community was once considered an endangered ecosystem in South Australia.
Rare and Endangered Species
Several rare plants have been found in Wharminda Conservation Park:
- Bearded Emubush (Eremophila barbata): Two groups of this plant live in the park. It is rare in South Australia and the surrounding region.
- Six-nerve Spine-bush (Acacia hexaneura): This plant is also rare at a state level.
- Mallee Bitter-pea: Another rare plant found here.
- Blue Range Emubush: This species is also considered rare.
- Hidden Leek-orchid (Prasophyllum occultans): This small orchid is rare in South Australia.
Visiting the Park
As of 2007, there were no special paths or areas for visitors inside Wharminda Conservation Park. There were also no plans to create visitor access at that time. This means the park is mainly for protecting nature.
Park Classification
Wharminda Conservation Park is classified as an IUCN Category III protected area. This means it is a natural monument or feature. These areas are protected to save specific natural features.
