“Psst, want to know a secret?” Fern Creek Wildlife Protection Area is more than just trees. It is a sanctuary for native animals. It’s a place where responsible pet ownership is important.
Fern Creek is part of a network of Wildlife Protection Areas. These areas protect native animals and their homes. The NSW Companion Animals Act of 1998 protects these areas. Cats are not allowed in Fern Creek at any time. Dogs must be on a leash on formal tracks. If you break these rules you could be fined.
These bushland areas support vulnerable native wildlife. Possums, birds, and lizards thrive here. These animals are threatened with extinction. They need our help to survive. Fern Creek protects important biodiversity. Birds, lizards, frogs, and possums are vulnerable. Cats and dogs can roam and hunt them. You can help by keeping your cat inside at night. Keep your dog on a leash on formal tracks only. Don’t take your dog into Category 1 Wildlife Protection Areas. Clean up after your dog. Native vegetation is protected. Animals, rocks, and natural features must not be removed. Motor vehicles are not allowed. Do not dump garden waste. The council removes stray cats in Wildlife Protection Areas.
Fern Creek is part of the Warriewood Creekline Corridor. In 2021, Joe Mills walked this area. The walk follows boardwalks through the Warriewood wetlands. It follows Fern Creek and climbs to Ingleside. The track passes Mullet Creek and Irrawong waterfall. It can be slippery with creek crossings.
The Ingleside Chase Reserve is near Fern Creek. It covers about 70 hectares. It connects Ku-ring-gai and Garigal National Parks. It also connects Irrawong Reserve, Warriewood Wetlands, and Narrabeen Lagoon. This corridor is very important for Sydney’s habitat.
Ingleside Chase Reserve protects many vegetation types. Coachwood Warm Temperate Rainforest is found here. Sandstone Heath also grows here. Ingleside Escarpment Wet Sclerophyll Forest is also present. A degraded Swamp Sclerophyll Forest exists near Irrawong Reserve.
The reserve is home to threatened plants. It also houses threatened animals in northern Sydney. Twelve threatened mammals live here. Six bats, two frogs, and twelve birds are found here. The corridor is home to 207 terrestrial species. This includes 166 birds, 20 mammals, 15 reptiles and 5 frogs. It is truly a wildlife nursery.
Aboriginal heritage exists on the escarpment. There are rock carvings of people and animals. Paintings in rock overhangs are also present. The area was important to Aboriginal peoples.
Ingleside Chase Reserve offers nature walks and bird watching. It enhances the leafy character of the Pittwater area. It is one of the best examples of urban bushland in Sydney. Much of the reserve is in good condition.
In the past, Pittwater Council conserved the Ingleside escarpment. They acquired land to protect it. They used an environmental levy to fund the purchases. They acquired the Healesville Estate in 2002. They also acquired land from Mater Maria Catholic College in 2005. The State Government and the Uniting Church added more land.
The Local Government Act protects bushland. It ensures the ongoing ecological viability of the land. It protects biodiversity and habitat. It also protects aesthetic, heritage, and recreational values. The Act promotes land management that protects the land. It restores degraded bushland. It protects natural drainage lines and watercourses. It retains bushland in parcels that allow plant and animal communities to survive. It protects bushland as a soil stabilizer.
So, as you wander through Fern Creek, remember its importance. It’s a sanctuary. It’s a reminder of our role in protecting native wildlife. Take a moment to appreciate the delicate balance of nature around you.