Ulandra Nature Reserve

Ulandra Nature Reserve
New South Wales
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
Ulandra Nature Reserve
Nearest town or city Cootamundra
Coordinates 34°48′59″S 147°55′7″E / 34.81639°S 147.91861°ECoordinates: 34°48′59″S 147°55′7″E / 34.81639°S 147.91861°E
Established June 1981[1]
Area 39.3 km2 (15.2 sq mi)[1]
Managing authorities NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Website Ulandra Nature Reserve
See also Protected areas of
New South Wales

The Ulandra Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is located in the west hills of the Southern Tablelands and eastern Riverina regions of New South Wales in eastern Australia. The 3,930-hectare (9,700-acre) reserve is situated approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) south-west of Cootamundra and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-east of the village of Bethungra.[2]

The reserve's main feature is Mount Ulandra. Immediately west of the reserve lies an undulating plain that varies between 200 to 300 metres (660 to 980 ft) above sea level which rises abruptly at Mount Ulandra to its summit at 761 metres (2,497 ft) above sea level. The reserve was dedicated in 1981 to protect stands of Cootamundra Wattle. The reserve is used for foraging and reproduction by the threatened Superb Parrot.[3] It was then progressively added to until 1983.

Features

The Ulandra Nature Reserve covers an area of wooded hills known as the Ulandra Range. The terrain is hilly with rough rocky ridges, several steep sided gullies and a catchment which feeds into Merrybundindah Creek. Most of the reserve is above 500 metres (1,600 ft) above sea level.[3] Vegetation is mostly open forest of Cypress Pine and gums. Wattles are also prevalent. There are records of Grey Kangaroos and Swamp Wallabies as well as Brushtail Possums and Ringtail Possums. There are also undetermined numbers of birds and bats.

The reserve contains evidence of historic Aboriginal activity. Stone artifacts and other relics have been recorded at the site. Since European settlement activities within the reserve have included clearing, grazing and minor amounts of timber getting. Evidence of this remains in fence lines, stockyards, buildings and dams.[4]

The reserve shows signs of damage due to previous pastoral clearing and stock water dam construction, as well as continued predation and competition from introduced animals, especially pigs. Infestations of introduced weeds are also a problem. There is an inholding within the reserve on which telecommunications installations have been constructed. These structures are visible from much of the reserve.[3]

See also

References