THE Bega Valley boasts plenty of environmental jewels, from Montague Island to Ben Boyd National Park, but one of the most significant is nestled in the valley of the Brogo River.
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Here you will find one of the largest areas of pristine native bushland left in the southern region, home to about 70 species of native birds, huge fig trees and patches of now all-too-scarce dry rainforest.
When Greens leader Bob Brown visited Brogo in the early 1990s he recognised the national value of the site.
Brogo Reserve became the second area on the mainland protected “for perpetuity” by Bush Heritage Australia, the conservation organisation set up by Mr Brown in 1991 which has since saved an estimated 73 threatened species from extinction across 33 sites nationally.
Half of Australia’s bird species, a third of land mammals and a quarter of plants are now found on Bush Heritage reserves.
At 120 hectares, Brogo is one of the smallest but it is teeming with life.
Its wet vine forest is unique to the Bega Valley and birds recorded on-site include the scarlet honey-eater, superb lyrebird, black-faced monarch, wonga pigeon, eastern whip bird, sooty owl and boobook owl.
Peron’s tree frog, Gippsland water dragon, the long-nosed bandicoot and swamp wallabies also thrive in the reserve.
Bush Heritage volunteer Ellie Sobey, a landscape ecologist who works in Federal environmental policy, took a break from Canberra last month to help conduct the annual assessment of the Brogo site.
This involves transect surveys of the valley floor and identifying native species by sight and call.
“It is a beautiful, pristine area,” Ms Sobey said.
“In the scheme of things it’s quite small but it is special because the eco-system is healthy and in tact and represents many aspects of South Coast ecology.
“That’s why Bush Heritage acquired it and it’s great to think that it is being protected for conservation.”
The elephant in the room, Ms Sobey said, was climate change and the influence of feral animals but her recent survey showed the Brogo Reserve is in excellent condition.
“As long as the ecosystem is functioning effectively it is buffered a bit so our job is to keep it this way,” she said.
Bush Heritage regional manager South East, Peter Saunders, said the support of the Brogo community had also been crucial in maintaining the site.
Neighbour Dan Williamson has a conservation background and helps out on-site wherever he can.
Mr Williamson said the community was lucky to have Bush Heritage’s presence in the area.
“It is a sign that Brogo is pretty special and it is a pretty unique little spot,” he said.
“The huge figs are just spectacular and I can see the benefits of conservation so I just want to be involved.”
Other neighbours have volunteered to conserve their own land adjoining the site.
Bush Heritage is always looking for more volunteers to play an active role in maintaining the Brogo Reserve.
For more information, call Peter Saunders on 0407 700 431 or visit the website www.bushheritage.org.au
