3 South Australia National and Conservation Parks Are Growing

Three of South Australia’s national and conservation parks are growing as part of the government’s commitment to protect against further biodiversity loss.

Expansions to South Australia’s Murray River National Park, Maize Lagoon Conservation Park in the Riverland, and Sceale Bay Conservation Park on Eyre Peninsula form part of the South Australian government’s efforts to conserve 30% of the state by 2030.

Jason Irving, National Parks Programs Director at the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said the new additions will help ‘better manage and protect land that is home to valuable biodiversity, and culturally significant and sensitive sites’.

What’s being protected?

Murray River National Park is popular for recreational activities, such as camping, and is known for its access to the River Murray floodplains.

Maize Island Conservation Park, one of the state’s early village settlement areas, holds historical significance with ruins and horticultural plantings still visible today.

Wading birds rely on the habitat found in Sceale Bay Conservation Park. These birds are protected under international agreements with Japan and China, including migratory species like the Australian Pied oystercatcher, Sanderling, and Fairy tern.

‘South Australia’s national and conservation parks are home to an abundance of native animals and plants, and provide amazing opportunities to connect with nature’, said Mr Irving.

Progress Towards the Government’s 30 by 30 Commitment

These expansions contribute to the state and federal government’s 30 by 30 Commitment, which aims to protect 30% of Australia’s landmass and marine areas by 2030, a significant effort to halt further biodiversity loss.

The new park expansions are in addition to two new national parks that have been created in recent years at Nilpena and Worlds End, along with 1246 hectares added across eight other parks. A further proposal to add 1840 hectares to the Seal Bay Sanctuary zone in the Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park has garnered much public support.

South Australia’s new national park in Nilpina protects a world-renowned fossil site

Feature image thanks to Francesco Vicenzi